Course Topics
The course introduces students to an integrated design process that combines conceptual thinking, material exploration, and theoretical reflection. The semester begins with a series of playful, hands-on exercises that stimulate observation, creativity, and collective experimentation around materiality and circularity. Building on these explorations, students develop a main design project focused on metal wire or other as a material of simplicity and expressive potential—transforming abstract ideas into tangible prototypes. Complementary modules on Materials and Production provide essential technical knowledge on processes, tools, and sustainable making, while Theories of Cultural Consumption offer a broader sociocultural framework for understanding how design interacts with consumption, culture, and technological change. Together, the modules encourage a critical, human-centred, and responsible approach to contemporary product design.

Teaching format
The course employs a modular and multidisciplinary approach, combining practical, theoretical, and reflective learning formats tailored to each module’s focus.

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
Module 1 The assessment will be based on: - the personal motivation, curiosity, and overall design skill acquired, reflected, and applied by the student during the semester. - the quality, autonomy, and coherence of the project output as visualized, argued, and communicated during individual reviews, group meetings, mid-term presentation and the final exam presentation. Module 2 The final assessment will be the result of the work carried out during the whole semester and it will be based on: - personal motivation, curiosity and commitment shown during the module and in the atelier; - quality, autonomy and coherence of the project output; - ability to visualize and communicate the project during individual reviews, group meetings, midterm and final exam presentations; - ability to bring design into dialogue with materials and production technologies; - overall design skills acquired, reflected and applied by the student. Module 3 Students will be asked to carry out class and home assignments: 1) a presentation in which students discuss readings and a related empiric work; and 2) final presentation of the project considering the ability to integrate theoretical aspects in the design process. N.B. ALL THE STUDENTS ATTENDING THE EXAM AS NON-ATTENDING STUDENTS MUST AGREE UPON THE CONTENTS WITH THE TEACHER.

Evaluation criteria
Module 1 and 2 The evaluation criteria (100% in total) will be distributed in the following way: - A maximum of 20% can be awarded, for the personal motivation, team spirit, and overall design skills acquired, and applied during the entire semester. - A maximum of 30% can be awarded, for the quality and originality of the design work carried out and presented in the mid-term presentation. - A maximum of 50% can be awarded for the overall quality and autonomy of the semester project´s final result, as it was developed, realized, visualized, argued and communicated in the exam presentation as well as the accompanying project documentation booklet. Module 3 The students will be evaluated on their oral presentation and their empirical work, as well as on the ability to integrate theoretical concepts in the design process during the examination presentation.