Course Topics
THE PERSONAL ARK: In an era defined by forced nomadism and hyper-commodity overload, producing "new things" is a contradictory act. This course addresses this crisis by shifting the focus from accumulation to radical reduction. Students are challenged to define their "minimum essential" by designing and manufacturing a 1:1 transport crate tailored exclusively for the tools of their personal passion (music, photography, woodwork). This crate is not mere packaging; it is a political manifesto of voluntary restriction. Choosing what to carry is an act of identity definition against the culture of disposal. Methodology (Individual vs. Collective) The project operates on a dual scale to simulate professional dynamics: Individual Track: Each student freely defines the dimensions and constraints of their crate by selecting a real-world transport standard based on their mobile lifestyle (e.g., airline hand luggage, car boot, under a train seat, bicycle rack, or standard pallet). The interior will be a custom, precise architecture for their specific tools. Collective Track: Since there is no uniform size, the crates will feature diverse shapes and constraints. The collective challenge lies in the final assembly: the class must collaborate to find a structural dialogue between these heterogeneous volumes, combining and arranging into a three-dimensional topography: "The Landscape of the Essential." Fieldwork & Manual Practice The course is rooted in physical making. The first weeks focus on a radical, weighed inventory of personal objects. This is followed by intensive workshop practice at Unibz. The crate must be designed for future repair. Examination The final exam is a performance titled "The Unpacking." The committee will evaluate the assembled "Collective Landscape." Then, each student will extract their crate, perform the ritual of unpacking their tools, and defend the technical engineering and mobility philosophy behind their selection.

Propaedeutic courses
To have passed the WUP project and all the WUP courses; to have certified the language level proficiency B1 in the course language in years following the first.

Teaching format
Lectures, group discussions, expert talks, individual and group revisions

Educational objectives
Knowledge and understanding have acquired their own project methodology in the field of product design, from the phase of planning to the phase of realisation of the project. have acquired the basic practical and theoretical knowledge necessary to realise a project in the field of product design. have acquired the basic knowledge to be able to turn a critical eye to their own work and to deal with contemporary complexity. have acquired the basic knowledge necessary for further Master's studies in all components of project culture as well as in theoretical subjects. Applying knowledge and understanding plan, develop and realise a project in the field of product design. be able to finalize the creation of an accomplished project in the field of product design, thanks to the basic knowledge acquired in the practical, scientific and theoretical fields. recognise the main phenomena of contemporary society, to observe them critically, also from an ethical and social point of view, and to elaborate appropriate solutions at the level of a design proposal/response. make use of the skills acquired during the course of study in the event of continuing studies in a Master's degree programme in the field of product design and to develop them further. Making judgements be able to make independent judgements for the purpose of developing their own design skills and in relation to all those decisions that are necessary to bring a project to completion. be able to make independent judgements, both in the critical evaluation of their own work and in their ability to use the right interpretative tools in those design contexts in which they will work and/or continue their studies, also considering ethical and social aspects. Communication skills present an independently realised project in the field of product design in the form of an installation, orally as well as in writing in a professional manner. to professionally communicate and substantiate one’s own decisions and justify them from a formal and theoretical point of view. communicate and present your own project at a professional level in another language and correctly in a third language in addition to their own language Learning skills have learned a work methodology at a professional level - in the sense of being able to identify, develop and realise solutions to complex problems by applying the knowledge acquired in the practical and theoretical fields - in order to start a professional activity and/or continue their studies with a master's degree program. have developed a creative attitude and learned how to enhance it and develop it according to their own inclinations. have acquired basic knowledge in theoretical and practical subjects as well as a study methodology suitable for continuing studies with a master's degree program.

Assessment
The final assessment will be the result of the work carried out during the whole semester. The ability to communicate the strength of their design choices, the consistency of the final outcome with the semester topic, the quality of the mock-ups and final prototype. N.B. ALL THE STUDENTS ATTENDING THE EXAM AS NONATTENDING STUDENTS MUST AGREE UPON THE CONTENTS WITH THE TEACHER.

Evaluation criteria
The evaluation criteria are based on personal motivation, the ability to manage team work, the quality and autonomy of design work, and the design skills acquired.