course-details-portlet

TPD4195

Design Studies

Assessments and mandatory activities may be changed until September 20th.

Credits 7.5
Level Second degree level
Course start Autumn 2025 / Spring 2026
Duration 1 semester
Language of instruction English and norwegian
Location Trondheim
Examination arrangement Assignment

About

About the course

Course content

In this course, students are expected to work independently or in groups of two. Students are free to propose their own project. The project can be oriented towards design exploration or research.

Examples of project orientations are: "for a company", "directed towards a design competition", " aimed at a conference of journal", "directed towards crowd-funding", etc.

Learning outcome

Knowledge:

The candidate has

  • utilized general knowledge from previous studies, and collected special knowledge to solve a specific design task.

Skills:

The candidate has

  • developed its own capabilities and gained experience in independent design work with respect to devilling innovative products, services and / or user interfaces.

General qualifications:

The candidate has

  • been trained in project establishment, planning and execution, and has chosen appropriate methodology to realize a design project.

Learning methods and activities

This project-based course is based on individual project work, where the students work on a project of their own choice in consultation with a supervisor. It is the student's responsibility to manage the project, choose the topic and take the initiative for meetings with the supervisor.

Within two weeks, the student must submit a 2-page project description consisting of the following: (1) Introduction, (2) Goals and objectives, (3) Detailed project plan, showing planned activities and milestones, (4) Expected deliverables.

Students must have their project approved by the course coordinator well in advance of start.

The project/learning description must be signed by the student's supervisor. The submission of the project delivery takes place at the end of the semester.

The course code is intended to be used in exceptional cases and in line with agreements with the study programme director and lecturers/supervisors, and there are no plans for joint organisation and teaching in the course.

This course is offered to incoming exchange students and will be taught in English if necessary.

Further on evaluation

Criteria for evaluation and assessment will be determined in accordance to the requirements of this course, as well as customised according to the project scope with the supervisor and course leader.

Re-take of an examination can be done in the following semester.

Specific conditions

Admission to a programme of study is required:
Industrial Design Engineering (MTDESIG)

Required previous knowledge

Completed bachelor level education in Industrial Design. Access is limited to Industrial Design students and exchange students connected to the department.

Course materials

Defined by students in agreement with supervisor and course coordinator.

Subject areas

  • Product Design Engineering - Integrated Product Development
  • Design Methodology
  • Aesthetic Studies
  • Technological subjects

Examination

Examination

Examination arrangement: Assignment
Grade: Letter grades

Ordinary examination - Autumn 2025

Assignment
Weighting 100/100 Date Submission 2025-12-12 Time Submission 14:00 Exam system Inspera Assessment

Ordinary examination - Spring 2026

Assignment
Weighting 100/100 Exam system Inspera Assessment