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Libera Università di Bolzano

Design & Production

Semestre 2 · 96105 · Corso di laurea magistrale in Design eco-sociale · 6CFU · EN


Based on their interests and focus, students select courses in areas Observe, Analyse & Apply and of Make & Intervene, to which the course in Design & Production.
The course supports the development of practical skills and hands-on experiences, aiming to build up a base of knowledge and understanding concerning production processes from self-built tools to industrial production systems in the context of design. In parallel, the course encourages the development of a critical attitude towards traditional and emerging production techniques within circular and bio-based economies. This course explores how to choose and adapt fabrication processes based on materials and production techniques. Students document and analyze a range of manufacturing methods, ranging from industrial solutions to DIY and in-house workshop techniques. By clustering, comparing, and reviewing selected processes, the course encourages critical reflection on traditional and alternative production methods, aiming to support more sustainable and eco-social approaches in making.

Docenti: Aart van Bezooijen

Ore didattica frontale: 60
Ore di laboratorio: 0
Obbligo di frequenza: Highly recommended.

Argomenti dell'insegnamento
The course will support the development of practical skills and hands-on experiences, aiming to build up a base of knowledge and understanding concerning production processes from self-built tools to industrial production systems in the context of design. In parallel, the course encourages the development of a critical attitude towards traditional and emerging production techniques within circular and bio-based economies. The choice of an appropriate fabrication process is one of the most important decisions in the process of making physical things. What material is being used, what quantity of parts is to be produced and what sort of geometry do they have? Processes are selected depending on our needs. If a process is not available for serial production, we might even need to create it ourselves. Together we will be documenting the landscape of selected manufacturing processes available as industrial solutions, in-house faculty workshops, and do-it-yourself solutions. Through a systematic overview by clustering, comparing, and reviewing selected production methods we will consider how to adapt traditional processes and explore alternative ways of creation within a more eco-social future. We will explore, analyze and prototype more accessible, distributed and democratic ways of manufacturing. Every semester includes a special focus on one or more development and processing techniques. Your so called “machine project(s)” should empower a do-it-yourself approach to local manufacturing using materials which are currently discarded or unconsidered.¿ The course will be in close collaboration with the faculty workshops and the BITZ unibz fablab. With excursions, factory visits and guest lectures we will get a closer look at the known and lesser-known realities of how things are made. The course program is adaptive and encourages any form of collaboration, relations and synergies with other fields and courses.

Insegnamenti propedeutici
none

Modalità di insegnamento
Research presentations: After the project introduction, we will research and discuss selected manufacturing processes. Individual research results are gathered and shared with each other.¿ Design for (dis)assembly: Through disassembling existing products and assembling new applications we will make the first experiences with the process of making and unmaking. Experimental setups should allow design improvisation and understanding of how things are made on an industrial scale. Guest lectures: Guest speakers will give us a better insight in the business practices of production. For example, through interviews with a design studios/labels producing in small series and factory visits at industrial manufacturing companies. Skill sharing: This course allows us to learn from lecturers, guests and each other. We put high value on the dialogue between the participants and will support this process of skill sharing. The content and format of the courses will be fine-tuned according to the dialogues, collaborations and dynamics of you as a group. Learning by doing: The approach of this semester project comes with an “Learning by Doing” approach involving theme-based hands-on workshops with guest lecturers and doing practical exercises at the university workshops. Designer maker: Unlike developing a single final product - this course focuses more on getting to know different ways of making. We provide you with inspiring talks, hands-on exercises, group discussions and creative methods for problem solving and solution finding for current and future design projects.

Obiettivi formativi
Knowledge and understanding Students will have developed their own individual project practice and will be able to: - Develop creative solutions and processes - making complex problems tangible through design, visualization and storytelling - developing prototypes or delegating their development Applying knowledge and understanding Students will be able to: - make tangible ideas, reports and projects, such as sketches, visualizations, mock-ups, models, prototypes, interventions and prototype events Making judgements Students will be able to: - assess the sustainability of projects - judging independently and critically practical procedures, technical procedures, materials, construction methods and technologies and their impact on the environment, individual or group Communication skills Students will be able to: - communicate convincingly in different ways and with different audiences - present projects convincingly Learning skills Students will be able to: - working independently to learn according to different situations and in a personal way through the development of prototypes, models, mock-ups and the feedback they provide

Modalità d'esame
Oral: - Physical presentation of the students’ complete design process, artifacts and material samples produced in the different phases and parts and especially the final project. - Holding a knowledgeable and critical discourse concerning both the final developed project and more generally towards the world of materials in design and the related product logic and sustainability aspects as discussed in the course. - The presentation takes place as a separately from the semester project. - Students must deliver a complete documentation of the semester work. Assessment of non-attending students: Non-attending students have the same assessment criteria as attending students. All requested assignments need to be done, and all deliverables (both intermediary and final) need to be provided in time. The knowledge shared in the theoretical and practical lectures need to be acquired. Hence, the exam of non-attending students might last longer to test that specific knowledge has been acquired and applied to the presented project.

Criteri di valutazione
Level of the acquired knowledge concerning materials, manufacturing and design in all aspects and perspectives as discussed in the course. Originality and coherence of the design project in relation to the use of materials and aspects of the production process. Effectiveness in communicating the project. Attitude, participation and active contribution to the course.

Bibliografia obbligatoria

“Making it: Manufacturing techniques for product design” by Chris Lefteri

“Materiology : the creative's guide to materials and technologies” by MatériO

“Werkzeuge für die Designrevolution“ by the Institute of Design Research Vienna

“Social Label Works: An open book about designing work” by Petra Janssen and Simone Kramer




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Obiettivi di sviluppo sostenibile
Questa attività didattica contribuisce al raggiungimento dei seguenti Obiettivi di Sviluppo sostenibile.

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