Class Syllabus
Course Description
Respected design leaders have excellent formal skills and conceptual rigor. They also have a strong understanding of the evolution of professional design practice through history, to the present day, and into the future. Our profession requires us to envision the future. We must apply this rigor to ourselves and our work. Designers must practice in a reflective manner, maintaining a broad knowledge of the design field, areas of practice, and possible futures. They are required to adopt new capabilities, and to pursue growth opportunities. This course presents the opportunity for the student to critically assess our design history and to develop the language of our profession. Our most critical task is to orient the student in the present. How did the Institute of Design arrive at this point in history? Why are you here? Our readings, discussions, assignments, and projects progressively lead to an articulation of why ID and your work matters.
Course Objectives
Through readings, discussions, exercises, and a final project, students will be able to articulate a personal perspective on the design profession. This perspective will be grounded in a historical understanding of our discipline’s evolutions, as well as the consideration of our design futures. The following objectives will be achieved in this class:
Learning Objectives
The following skills will be developed:
Students will develop fluency in design practice and culture
Students will gain an understanding of the various design disciplines
Students will be able to effectively communicate with colleagues
Students will develop facilitation and collaboration skills
Assignments will support conceptual thinking skills
Activities and projects will foster basic formal skills
Learning Outcomes
The following results will be achieved:
Students will develop an expanded design vocabulary
Students will demonstrate a knowledge of the design profession
Students will develop a reading and writing practice
Students will be able to act in the face of ambiguity
Students will focus their energy in areas of interest
Students will apply basic design tools and methodologies
Course Requirements
An Introduction to Design Practice is currently available to Foundation students at the Institute of Design. It is a part of the Foundation Sequence, and prepares students to confidently engage in the design community. There are no prerequisites. Grading will be based on the following four pillars:
Class Participation
As a survey, the class requires active participation and discussion. This constitutes 25% of the student’s grade.
Class Assignments
Assignments demonstrate active engagement with the readings. This constitutes 25% of the student’s grade.
Final Project
This project demonstrates a deep consideration of our profession. This constitutes 25% of the student’s grade.
Work Quality
Work demonstrates dedication to continuous improvement. This constitutes 25% of the student’s grade.
Absences must be excused; for each unexcused absence a single letter grade reduction penalty is applied.
Course Calendar
An Introduction to Design Practice is divided into seven design epochs of twenty years each, beginning with the transition from craft to industrialization. In the classes dedicated to these historical, as well as future periods, the class will consider how design was practiced as a profession, and how we as professionals engaged with society. What did society need, and how did the profession rise to meet the challenges? Several topic classes, including on Design Methods, Design Thinking, Service Design, and User Experience design, provide professional areas to explore and consider. We conclude the class with individual presentations where the student will describe their future professional selves to the class.
First Half
Class 1
Jan 21st, 6:00 – 9:00 pm
INTRODUCTION — The Course Context
This class will introduce the concept of design practice and the critical trends that will impact the evolution of the profession. We will review the syllabus and individual expectations. Questions will be addressed. The class will perform a group exercise to introduce each other. Lastly, we will discuss the readings and the impacts to design practice and education. The class will describe what it means to design.
Assignments: Reading, Hopes & Fears; Design definition
Class 2
Jan 28th, 6:00 – 9:00 pm
INDUSTRIALIZATION — Pre-1900: Pre-industrial Design to the Arts and Crafts Movement
This class will introduce the boundary between the pre-industrial period and the the newly, and unevenly, industrialized world. The Arts and Crafts movement was a response to rapid industrialization and the dehumanized aspects of labor. Several students will present their product portfolio examples. Students will break into pods to discuss the readings. Lastly, we will introduce our next readings and assignments for the next week.
Assignments: Readings, Historical Product Portfolio, Design Method
Class 3
Feb 4th, 6:00 – 9:00 pm
TIME — 1900-1920: Deutscher Werkbund to the Bauhaus
This class will introduce the formative period of design practice in Europe as well as the launch of the Bauhaus in Germany. We will review the past week and answer questions. Several students will present their product portfolio examples. Students will break into pods to discuss the readings. Lastly, we will introduce our next readings and assignments for the next week.
Assignments: Readings, Historical Product Portfolio, Design Method
Class 4
Feb 11th, 6:00 – 9:00 pm
SPACE — 1920-1940: Bauhaus to the New Bauhaus
This class will introduce the evolution of the Bauhaus and the forces that forced its closure. The New Bauhaus is introduced. We will review the past week and answer questions. Several students will present their product portfolio examples. Students will break into pods to discuss the readings. Lastly, we will introduce our next readings and assignments for the next week.
Assignments: Reading, Historical Product Portfolio, Design Method
Class 5
Feb 18th, 6:00 – 9:00 pm
PSYCHOLOGY — 1940-1960: World War II to HFG Ulm
This class will introduce the post-war world and the economy driven by the growth of the middle-class consumer. The HfG Ulm is introduced. We will review the past week and answer questions. Several students will present their product portfolio examples. Students will break into pods to discuss the readings. Lastly, we will introduce our next readings and assignments for the next week.
Assignments: Readings, Historical Product Portfolio, Design Method
Class 6
Feb 25th, 6:00 – 9:00 pm
TOPIC: METHODS — The Design Methods Movement
This class will introduce the emergence of Design Methods from the Operations Research foundations. The class will discuss how this topic grew during the Cold War and the influence of ID as a school dedicated to the use of design tools and processes. Students will discuss and present their understanding of this topic.
Assignments: Readings, Design Methods Essay, Design Method
Class 7
Mar 4th, 6:00 – 9:00 pm
SOCIOLOGY — 1960-1980: HfG Ulm to the Institute of Design
This class will introduce the rise of design methods and discuss the conflicts between creativity and systematic design. The mega-design practice is also introduced. We will review the past week and answer questions. Several students will present their product portfolio examples. Students will break into pods to discuss the readings. Lastly, we will introduce our next readings and assignments for the next week.
Assignments: Readings, Historical Product Portfolio, Design Method
Make-up Week
& Spring Break
Mar 10th – 21st
NO CLASS
There are no classes this week. It is expected that an assignment be provided for the mid-term.
Assignment: Mid-Term Essay
Second Half
Class 8
Mar 25th, 6:00 – 9:00 pm
TOPIC: DESIGN THINKING — Design Research and Design Thinking
This class will introduce the topics of Design Research, Human-centered Design, and what has become known as Design Thinking. We will discuss the reasons for the emergence of these design tools. Wicked Problems and complexity are also discussed. Students will discuss and present their understanding of this topic.
Assignments: Readings, What is Design Thinking Essay, Design Method
Class 9
Apr 1st, 6:00 – 9:00 pm
BUSINESS — 1980-2000: Globalization to the Internet
This class will introduce business consolidation And management that brought immense growth to global commerce. We introduce the topics of business and design strategy. We will review the past week and answer questions. Several students will present their product portfolio examples. Students will break into pods to discuss the readings. Lastly, we will introduce our next readings and assignments for the next week.
Assignments: Readings, Historical Product Portfolio, Design Method
Class 10
Apr 8th, 6:00 – 9:00 pm
TOPIC: EXPERIENCE — User Experience and Information Architecture
This class will introduce the emergence of User Experience and design tools used to aid people in navigating through complex information and services. Common tools and concepts used in designing complex systems and services will be discussed. Students will discuss and present their understanding of this topic.
Assignments: Readings, Experience Design Essay, Design Method
Class 11
Apr 15th, 6:00 – 9:00 pm
BEHAVIOR — 2000-2020: Connection to Control
This class will introduce the changes we have experienced in the past 20 years as a result of the internet and social technologies. We will review the past week and answer questions. Several students will present their product portfolio examples. Students will break into pods to discuss the readings. Lastly, we will introduce our next readings and assignments for the next week.
Assignments: Readings, Historical Product Portfolio, Design Method
Class 12
Apr 22nd, 6:00 – 9:00 pm
TOPIC: AI — Designing with Artificial Intelligences
We will discuss the rise of technology and the implications of artificial intelligence and artificial lives on our profession and our lives. Students will discuss and present their understanding of this topic.
Assignments: Readings, AI Collaboration, Design Method
Class 13
Apr 29th, 6:00 – 9:00 pm
TOPIC: POST-HUMAN DESIGN — Post-Human and Posthuman Design
This class introduces the topic of Post-human design and the factors that contribute to its relevance on the design profession. Students will discuss and present their understanding of this topic.
Assignments: Readings, Post-human Design Essay, Design Method
Finals Grades Due
May 13th
END OF CLASS
Grades will be submitted one day prior to the IIT due date.
Class 14
May 6th, 6:00 – 9:00 pm
FINAL PRESENTATIONS — Your Design Future
This session will be used for individuals to present their Final presentations.
Finals: Final presentation submission
Course Tools and Support
It is expected that An Introduction to Design Practice class will be in-person at Kaplan Institute building. We will make adjustments as necessary, and may find that a class or two are virtual. If students are required to quarantine, we can support them by using Zoom. The class was virtual in the fall of 2020. We will utilize the following tools to support the class:
Blackboard will be our central hub for class communication
Gmail will support direct communication with students
Zoom will be used to support virtual meetings
Drive will provide alternative storage for assignments
Mural will power our virtual collaboration
Additional tools will be added as necessary.
In addition to shared links and documents, we will utilize the following books in this class. Three copies of each title are available for sharing in the ID library. Bauhaus Futures is available in electronic bookstores. Both are highly recommended for your personal library.
World History of Design by Victor Margolin
Bauhaus Futures edited by Laura Forlano, Molly Wright Steenson and Mike Ananny
Image credits:
Bauhaus Dessau © Nate Robert License Under CC BY-SA 2.0
North Pole © Christopher Michel License Under CC BY 2.0