Headings denoted with an asterisk ( * ) is retrieved from the course syllabus version Autumn 2021
Content and learning outcomes
Course contents
The course Design for sustainability covers different methods for design in development of technical systems that are relevant for engineers of Design and Product Realisation to use professionally, to engage in sustainability adaptation. By correlating sustainability concepts to the design and product realisation process with systems focus, the course aims to contribute to creating overview and understanding of how design in various ways can be used in sustainability adaptation of industrial systems. With a focus on the development of technical systems, the course intends to create understanding of how design in an intentional way can influence relations between people and technology, thereby contributing to sustainability adaptation. Furthermore, the course promotes learning through making and in work with a design project different design methods are used and tested to make complexity in sustainability concrete.
The course focuses on development of technical systems and includes lectures and exercises that cover different methods for how design can contribute to sustainability adaptation.
The course includes a group-based design project, where proposals for sustainability adaptation of technical systems are developed. The design project is a hands-on activity, that requires attendance and active commitment of the students, including interaction with the teachers through supervision.
The course includes written assignments that contribute to visualise tacit knowledge and promote critical review and reflection.
Intended learning outcomes
After passing the course, the students should be able to:
Describe and evaluate different possible methods for design, to contribute to sustainability change of industrial systems.
Use relevant design methods to develop ideas for technical systems.
Critically review design of products and systems in relation to sustainability.
Learning activities
The course includes the following main course activities:
The course focuses on development of technical systems and includes lectures and exercises covering various approaches for how design can contribute to sustainability transitions.
The course contains a team-based design project where proposals for sustainable development of technical systems are created. The design project is practical and requires attendance and active engagement from the students and includes interactions with teachers through coaching.
The course includes writing assignments that contribute to reveal tacit knowledge and stimulate critical valuations and reflections.
Detailed plan
Weeks
Course activities
Content
Preparations
Week 1 (w. 35)
Individual work
Get course literature
Lecture
Course introduction
Individual work
Initiate workbook
Exercise
Concept introduction
Week 2 (w. 36)
Individual work
Watch films + read introduction chapter
Lecture
Design & sustainability
Individual work
Read 1 dedicated chapter + write reflections
Exercise
Concept mapping
Week 3 (w. 37)
Individual work
Writing assignment
Lecture
Socio-technical systems
Individual work
Hand-in Beta version of individual writing assignment
Before the course start, please get the course literature, and re-familiarize yourself with the UNs global sustainable development goals.
Course literature
Design for sustainability: A multi-level framework from products to socio-technical systems. (2019). Fabrizio Ceschin & Idil Gaziulusoy. Routledge. https://doi.org/10.4324/9780429456510 + Other readings will be provided on Canvas.
Equipment needed
You need to prepare a workbook at the beginning of this course. For this you can use any material you feel is convenient for you to collect your thoughts, insights and reflections during the course. The workbook is your diary where you reflect on what you do and learn in the course. Furthermore, you can consider the workbook as a design assignment and take the opportunity to practice your graphic design skills. This can be done in a digital or analogue form, or a combination of both. Your digital version of individual workbook will also be part of the D4S Course Anthology together with the team project presentation portfolio page.
INL1 - Hand in assignment, 1.5 credits, Grading scale: A, B, C, D, E, FX, F
Based on recommendation from KTH’s coordinator for disabilities, the examiner will decide how to adapt an examination for students with documented disability.
The examiner may apply another examination format when re-examining individual students.
The section below is not retrieved from the course syllabus:
Design Project Assignment ( DPR1 )
Hand in assignment ( INL1 )
Grading criteria/assessment criteria
Assessment criteria ILOs
Criteria for F
Criteria for E
Criteria for C
Criteria for A
ILO 1: Describe and value different possible design approaches that can contribute to sustainability transitions of industrial systems. This will be assessed through hand-in reflections and workbook as part of INL1 and through presentation material of DPR1.
If descriptions are lacking details or if evaluations are lacking comparisons.
Descriptions of different design approaches that can contribute to sustainability transitions are explained on a basic level.
Evaluations of different design approaches are presented by considerations of at least two approaches and with some specific project details.
Descriptions of different design approaches that can contribute to sustainability transitions are well-explained and with examples.
Evaluations of different design approaches are presented by considerations of at least two approaches and with specific project details clearly motivated.
Descriptions of different design approaches that can contribute to sustainability transitions are well-explained with nuances and with examples.
Evaluations of different design approaches are presented by considerations of at least two approaches and with specific project details clearly and strategically motivated.
ILO2: Apply relevant design methods to develop proposals for technical systems. This will be assessed through workbook as part INL1 and through process and presentation of DPR1.
If proposals are lacking applications of system thinking or integrated problem-solving.
Proposals are developed by application of relevant design methods and presented with considerations of several system perspectives.
Proposals are skilfully developed by application of relevant design methods and presented with considerations of several system perspectives that are critically assessed.
Proposals are highly skilfully developed by application of relevant design methods and presented with thoughtful considerations of several system perspectives that are critically and strategically assessed.
ILO3: Critically evaluate design of products and systems in relation to sustainability. This will be assessed through workbook as part INL1 and presentation material as part of DPR1.
If evaluations are lacking critical reflections.
Evaluations of different design approaches are presented with critical and personal reflections of how the selected project approach could contribute to sustainability transitions.
Evaluations of different design approaches are presented with critical and personal reflections of how the selected project approach could contribute to sustainability transitions and includes motivations of how project choices led to different results.
Evaluations of different design approaches are presented with critical and personal reflections of how the selected project approach could contribute to sustainability transitions and includes motivations of how project choices led to different results and how alternative project choices could have led to different results.
Ethical approach
All members of a group are responsible for the group's work.
In any assessment, every student shall honestly disclose any help received and sources used.
In an oral assessment, every student shall be able to present and answer questions about the entire assignment and solution.
