Course content

The course focuses on emergent technologies - such as artificial intelligence (e.g., large language models and computer vision models), wearable technology, augmented/virtual reality, and personal and social robots - contrasting them against well-established technology, such as Web and mobile apps, classical graphical user interfaces, and typical messaging and emailing services. The course shows how different technologies influence design decisions and how designers can use these technologies to create innovative user experiences.

Students will learn about and experiment with the emergent technology, and explore design space for a problem to solve, relying on design processes that incorporate technology analyses. They will then document their analyses, findings, and prospective solutions - emphasizing the reasoning behind technology choices and design decisions - and prepare to communicate these ideas to other potential project stakeholders.

Learning outcome

After completing the course, students should be able to:

1. Understand the role of technology in design processes, including recent technological trends and their effect on the design of services and systems
2. Analyze technological changes and assess how new technologies can change societal structures and business models, and how design can influence these changes
3. Incorporate technology-based perspectives in user-centered design processes and use design methods that are flexible enough to handle uncertainty and technological innovation while keeping the user's needs in mind
4. Communicate design ideas to stakeholders, including documenting design space explorations, justifying technology choices, and prototyping preliminary solutions
5. Reflect critically on the implications of technology choices in design and identify social, ethical, and legal dilemmas arising from the use of technology in design

Learning methods and activities

The teaching will emphasize self-directed learning, with reading materials and practical exercises released regularly. Learning activities will include working on case studies and projects individually or in groups, with a focus on producing deliverable artifacts.

This course is offered to international master students. Language of instruction is English.

Compulsory assignments

• Document
• Prototype
• Design Document

Specific conditions

Required previous knowledge

IDG4110 Introduction to Design, Technology and Society