Course - Responsible Digital Design - IDG1403
Responsible Digital Design
New from the academic year 2026/2027
Assessments and mandatory activities may be changed until September 20th.
About
About the course
Course content
Digital design today is not only about creating attractive and functional interfaces, but also about designing responsibly. This course introduces three essential principles for modern digital solutions: sustainability, accessibility, and usability. Students will learn why these subjects' matter, further explore basic theory, methods, and tools - and finally apply them in basic exercises.
The course will especially focus on:
- Understanding the sustainability pillars and the environmental and social impact of digital products and services.
- Learning the basics of universal design of ICT and how to check compliance using online tools.
- Understanding what makes a digital product or service easy to use and how to conduct a basic usability test.
Learning outcome
Knowledge:
The student knows:
- What sustainability, accessibility, and usability mean in digital design.
- Why these subjects are important for end users, businesses, and society.
Skill Goals:
The student can:
- Use simple tools to check the environmental impact of a digital product or service.
- Perform a basic accessibility check using online tools.
- Conduct a simple usability test and summarise the findings.
General Competence Goals:
The student can:
- Reflect on how design decisions affect people and the environment.
- Apply a human-centred and responsible mindset when evaluating digital solutions.
Learning methods and activities
- Physical and/or online learning materials.
- Basic practical exercises.
- Online discussion forum for questions and the sharing of insights.
- The course can be offered to incoming exchange students and is therefore taught in English.
Compulsory assignments
- Oblig 1
- Oblig 2
- Oblig 3
Further on evaluation
- One small approved/not approved assignment per block (3 in total).
- All assignments must be approved to pass the course.
- Assessment: Pass/Fail based on a final project.
- Re-sit: In case of failure, a new or improved project may be submitted in the following semester.
- To improve a grade with a voluntary exam, the entire course must be retaken.
Specific conditions
Admission to a programme of study is required:
Digital Design (ÅRDES)
Required previous knowledge
Admission to a programme of study is required:
One-year programme in Digital Design.
Course materials
Information about the course material will be provided at the start of the semester and could include resources such as:
- Short readings on sustainability, accessibility, and usability.
- Links to free online tools.
- Recommended articles, requirements and guidelines.
Subject areas
- Design Methodology