KONSTFACK
Department of Design, Crafts and Arts Master’s programme in Design Course code: MDE202 and MDE204
Test code: MDE202 (ID10, ID20) and MDE204 (ID10) Level: Advanced level
Valid for: H15 and V16
COURSE DESCRIPTION
Degree project in Design, specialization Individual Study Plan and Summary and Projection /
Examensarbete i Design, inriktning Individuell studieplan i Design samt Sammanfattning och projektion
33 + 12 ECTS credits/33 + 12 högskolepoäng
This description concerns the students participating in the specialisation Individual Study Plan in Design Responsible teacher: Katja Pettersson
Participating teachers: Bo Westerlund, Katja Pettersson, Jonas Ahnmé, Loove Broms, Katarina Wetter Edman, Cheryl Akner Kohler
General
In the course the student develops in-depth, artistic, design-driven inquiries and presents a thoroughly designed and formulated investigation. In parallel with this, the student formulates a written document that frames and supports the development of the design-driven, artistic work. It also positions the work in relationship to artistic, social and ethical issues as well as in relation to the design field.
Learning outcomes
See the Course syllabi for the Master Degree project, MDE202 and for Summary and Projection, MDE204 Course Requirements
The project is divided into differently formatted pieces which are closely linked to each other1 and are all necessary
to drive the Master Degree project forward. They are:
- Master Degree Project Outline/PM (pro memoria) - Artistic, design-driven work
- Final project2
- Written document
- Oral and visual presentation - Exhibition
- Final articulation and presentation in the context of the Spring Exhibition/Degree Show The student needs to:
- Partake in workshops, reviews, seminars, and pin-ups
- Present a Master Degree Project Outline/PM on specified date(s)
- Show and document materializations and required amount of text on specified date(s) - Present his/her work orally on specified date(s)
- Present her/his work in the spring exhibition according to specified date(s) and separate handouts3
- Post the final outcome of the work on DIVA according to specified date(s) and separate specifications4
1 see ‘areas of assessment’
2 the project could range from a speculative proposal to an executed project 3these are handouts with information about the work with the Spring Exhibition
The format of the Master Degree Project is relatively open, but it has to meet certain requirements:
- The project must be on an advanced level, and have a volume of work per person corresponding to 30 weeks
- The project must relate to our fields of study –Design
- The project should make it possible for the student to demonstrate both an advanced approach to and process of a chosen focus, as well as a progressive proposal/design.
- The project must deal with an appropriate level of complexity.
- The project has to actively and deliberately relate to contexts, activities and opinions outside of the student him-/herself.
- The project must be designed in a way that it supports the student in reaching the learning outcomes and assessment criteria5.
The work as a whole must consider standards copyright, acknowledgements, ea. and texts must have a coherent language as well as it must consider standards of citation, bibliography ea.
Course structure and teaching methods
The course is technically divided into two plus one parts, at the same time the project should be approached as, and integrated into one whole.
- Part 1, 15 hp. Overview of Landscape of Inquiry and Master Degree Project Outline/PM
- Part 2, 18 hp. Exhibition/Display with Oral Presentation and part of Written Document
- Part 3, 12 hp. Spring Exhibition/Degree Show with Oral Presentation and finished Written Document6
The project is individual but could also be carried out as collaboration between students within or outside of the department7. The projects are exposed to and evaluated by both a selected part of our professional community and
academic field of study, and are presented to the public outside of Konstfack in the Spring Exhibition/Degree Show. The project should be understood as a unique opportunity to make a difference, to develop, extend or widen the field of design.
The student uses tools and methods for making as well as reflecting and always in relationship to the further development of her/his artistic, design driven project and the field of design. The student continuously relates his/her own work to relevant contemporary and historical practices and theories.
To start the course the student revisits her/his ATLAS to formulate and start developing a master degree inquiry through textual, artistic and material experimentations. The student further develops his/her experimentations into an in-depth, design-driven project and formats this for the context of the Spring Exhibition/Degree Show. The project ends with a final articulation and presentation for an invited jury. Additionally the students formulate their thoughts and actions in writing throughout the entire course.
During the course there will be
- workshops and lectures
- seminars where the students prepare and discuss texts and other sources of reference
- individual and group tutoring with faculty
- oral and visual presentations and written hand-ins
The tutoring could be extended to professionals outside of Konstfack as long as the professor approves of it and as long as it does not cause the department any costs.
5 As specified in this Course Description
6 Final reflection is added after the Spring Exhibition.
7if so it is important to clarify and clearly define the different parts of the project and who is mainly responsible for which part, depending on the project proposed.
Deliverables
1. Master Degree Project Outline - A visual/material and textual PM (pro memoria – for the memory)
The student needs to describe what she/he intends to work with, why this is interesting and/or important and how it is relevant to the field, society and the profession; all according to the requirements of a Master Degree Project. The visual/material and textual PM is a paper (possibly also with material added) framing the project through text and sketches, drawings, photos, represented models, ea. The visual/material and textual PM is a paper (possibly also with material added) framing the project through text and sketches, drawings, photos, represented models, ea. It should include around 1500 words.
The textual and visual/material PM must be read by two fellow students (peer-readers), critiqued and discussed before it is handed in to the professor and other teachers. A draft will be presented to the group as well as discussed in detail at the presentation in week 47.
It should include:
- the title of the degree project and a subtitle capturing the essence of it
- the date of the current version
- name of the student(s) submitting the proposal, and names of the peer-readers
- the name(s) of external partner(s), or similar, and intended ways of collaborating
- the background of the project As well as a:
- description/explanation of the project according to the requirements of a Master Degree Project.
- what is the intention?
- why is this important?
- for whom is this important?
- where and when is the proposed outcome intended to be used?
- what knowledge is needed?
- the background of the project
- how shall this be generated? Peer-reading
There will be groups of students that will work on each other’s PMs. This peer-reading is mandatory for all written documents handed in during the course.
2. Part 1 – week 51
The student will present an Overview of her/his Inquiry Landscape. The student will present the knowledge created so far into the project, visually/materially and orally, as well as a plan for the anticipated work ahead. A draft for the Master Degree Written Document.
3. Part 1 – week 2
The Master Degree Outline/PM is handed in according to the above specifications and the feedback from the presentation in week 51. The student should explore possible formats for the part 2 exhibition/display and should include a temporary abstract and a format proposal for the Written Document.
4. Master Degree – Written Document
In the first part of the Degree Project the student will start exploring ways of writing in relationship to the Master Degree Project. The student has to make creative and critical choices about the form and organization of the Written Document so that it supports and frames the development of the artistic, design-driven Degree Project as stated above.
The word frame of the written document is 2500 to 6000 words8. It should include text and other forms of
representations, perhaps even accompanied by other kinds of formats. The language can be English or Swedish. Additional material needed for reference, such as explicit annotations could be attached as an appendix.
Your text should include:
- the title of the degree project and a subtitle capturing the essence of it
- the date of the current version
- name of the student(s) submitting the project and names of the peer-readers
- the name(s) of external partner(s), or similar, and intended ways of collaborating
- presentation of the artistic, design-driven process with emphasis on the decisions of major importance
- the account for the process should also include the approaches, the way of working and the knowledge created
- description of the final Degree Project including how the work meets the requirements and how the student has dealt with challenges included.
- relevant references and other material 5. Part 2 week 7
Mid-Term Review. The student will present the knowledge created so far into the project, visually/materially and orally, as well as a plan for the anticipated work ahead. After this presentation until the final presentation of part 2, there is still time for minor adjustments. It is very important that the direction of the project is clear.
The presentation should show:
- the artistic, design-driven process with the emphasis on the decisions of major importance.
- expected material for the final presentation of part 2: Exhibition/Display with Oral Presentation and part of Written Document
- the plan for the work ahead the coming weeks.
The student has to hand in the written document in progress and as far as it has been developed up to this point, to the peer-reviewers and the designated tutor. The word frame should be 2000 – 4000 words. Feedback from the tutor and the peer-reviewers will be delivered at a seminar according to schedule.
6. Part 2 week 14- final presentation – Exhibition/Display with Oral Presentation and part of Written Document You will present the whole of your project visually/materially and verbally.
A visual/material and textual presentation is handed in beforehand.
The student has to present the project developed in-depth at this presentation, however there is still time for minor adjustments and refinement in the last and third part of the course.
Before this presentation the student has to hand in the written document in progress as far as it has been developed including the revision according to the latest feedback given. The peer-reviewers should have proof read the
document before it is handed in to the professor and other faculty. The word frame for this submission will be 2000 – 4000 words. The final presentations is performed in front of teachers and students at the ID department. The student is welcome to invite guests, but the presentations will not be open to the public.
You presentation should show
- the artistic, design-driven process with emphasis on the decisions of major importance
- a finished well-defined proposal
- expected material for Spring Exhibition/Degree Show and the final oral presentation
- the plan for the work ahead the coming weeks.
7. Part 3: Spring Exhibition/Degree Show with Oral Presentation and finished Written Document
In the third part of the Degree Project the student will refine the work done in the first and the second parts and according to the discussion of the project at the examination of part 2. The student will finish the Written Document except for the last part of the final reflection, which will be added to the document after the final oral examination in the Spring Exhibition.
Final presentation is performed9 in front of teachers and students within the Master Design Program, Individual
Study Plan in Design, as well as to an invited jury in the Spring Exhibition/Degree Show and one of the lecture halls of Konstfack. Each student’s examination includes, presentation of the project, critique of the project and discussions. At the final presentation the student will present the Degree Project as a whole. All the assessment criteria need to be fulfilled in order to pass the examination.
At the beginning of the Spring Exhibition/Degree Show the student submits the full Written Document according to the requirements of the course. Before this submission the Document has been peer-reviewed.
The final submission of the Written Document is after the Spring Exhibition/Degree Show according to specified date(s); it has to contain a final reflection on the whole Degree Project including all parts required and in reference to the final oral presentation in the Spring Exhibition/Degree Project.
Examination
The final grade is based on the project undertaken and executed, the overall presented material, the edited material presented in the spring exhibition and the oral presentation, as well as the written document.
The course is assessed with the grades Fail (U) or Pass (G).
Examination criteria to pass the course are defined by the intended learning outcomes.
Examination is based on oral and visual/material presentations and the submission of documentation of the process and outcome.
Grade criteria
In order to get a passing grade the student’s degree work will be assessed in the following three assessment areas: (1) Relevance for the profession, interior architecture and furniture design, and the field of interiors and design The Degree Project is part of a professional education that is based on an academic and artistic foundation. The students must demonstrate artistic, creative, reflective and critical approach, and show leadership, responsibility and originality in carrying out design inquiry and experimentation.
The concepts must be made tangible, materialized and take the form of artistic, design-driven proposals. The ideas and issues addressed must be relevant to the field of interior architecture, furniture design and interiors in a broad, contemporary and forward-looking sense. The competencies and subjects demonstrated and developed in the work should be well defined and relevant to the intent, context and audience(s). The students should show an ability to contextualize the chosen subject.
(2) Academic, artistic approach
The Degree Project develops at the intersection of different traditions and perspectives on how knowledge is constructed in and through design, including economic, scientific and artistic approaches. The students must demonstrate awareness of related approaches, relevant concepts, methods, aesthetic standpoints, and techniques, referencing external sources, examples and articulating their own position. They should demonstrate reflections on their position and choices, both during the artistic design-driven process and in the articulated proposal(s). They should consciously make choices between different options to the design. The students should especially articulate how they interpret, question and highlight new aspects that contribute to a new or deeper understanding in the field of designRe, as well as distinguish between their own and other’s ideas and understandings.
(3) Communicability
The Degree Project and its relation to the assessment criteria must be communicated to the examiners and audience(s) in a clear way throughout the process. Links between the starting points, issue, ways of working,
analysis, results and discussion should be evident; readers and viewers must be able to follow the reasoning, choices and contributions. The Written Document must consider standards of citation, bibliography, copyright,
acknowledgements, and texts must have a coherent language. Creative and critical choices about the form and organization of the written, visual material, the exhibited and oral parts of the thesis, how these parts are related, should be appropriate to the students’ content and particular contributions. The Degree Project must be made available in an archival form after the project ends.
Course literature and other teaching aids
Literature, exhibitions and other teaching aids are to be decided by the student and the main tutor jointly.
Schedule with overall structure and weeks holding deadlines10
w.46 9/11 - 15/11 10/11 – start up of Degree Project
w.46 (9/11- 15/11) - w 50 (7/12 -13/12) textual, artistic and material experimentation
continued work on experimentation and Master Degree Outline/PM exploration of format for Written Document
w.47 17/11 - 20/11 Draft for the Master Degree Outline/PM
w 51 14/12 -20/12 SHOW and SHARE;
Overview of Inquiry Landscape.
dead-line for Master Degree Outline/PM w 52 21/12 - X-MAS - w 2 (11/1 – 17/1) exploration of format for Written Document
textual, artistic and material experimentation
w 2 (11/1 – 17/1) REVIEW of PART 1
w 3 (18/1 -24/1) - w 13 EASTER – 3/4 textual, artistic and material experimentation; design-driven, in-depth work on project work on Written Document
w 5 1/2 -7/2 RESEARCH WEEK
w 10 7/3 – 13/3 Mid-term REVIEW;
hand-in of Written Document (2000 -4000 words) to peer-reviewers and tutors
w 11 14/3 – 20/3 review/seminar and feedback to Written Document
w 14 4/4 – 10/4 Exhibition/Display; Oral Presentation with invited external critics; Discussion of Written Document
EXAMINATION of PART 2
w 15 (11/4 -17/4) - w 20 (16/5 – 22/5) refinement of project; exhibition work; work with Written Document w 18 (2/5 – 8/5) - w 19 (11/5) installation
W 19 (12/5) - w 21 ( 29/5) 12/5 Press Preview
12/5 Spring Exhibition/Degree Show Opening 12:00 – 20:00
12/5 – 29/5 Spring Exhibition/Degree Show
w 21 ( 23/5 - 29/5) Oral and Visual Presentation of the project in the Exhibition EXAMINATION of PART 3 excl. Written Document
w 22 (30/5 – 5/6) Dismantle of Spring Exhibition/Degree Show; Final Work on Written Document; final dead-line Cleaning of Studio Spaces;
Spring Dinner Party;
FINAL EXAMINATION; including Written Document; ARCHIVATION and POSTING of Degree Project
Document drawn up by:
Katja Pettersson, in cooperation with Ulrika Karlsson, Rochus Urban Hinkel, Bo Westerlund and Anna Odlinge 2015-11-03
