Undergraduate Course: Product Design 2A: Object Autopsy (DESI08081)
Course Outline
| School | Edinburgh College of Art |
College | College of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences |
| Credit level (Normal year taken) | SCQF Level 8 (Year 2 Undergraduate) |
Availability | Not available to visiting students |
| SCQF Credits | 20 |
ECTS Credits | 10 |
| Summary | This course explores the diverse materials and manufacturing processes that are involved in bringing products into the world. |
| Course description |
Through a series of talks, activities, and projects, students will investigate the provenance of contemporary artefacts through an object autopsy to better understand how components are manufactured and assembled into the objects we know. Autopsy describes the inspection and investigation of objects through disassembly to determine how the product functioned, what materials are used and how the components were manufactured and assembled. Traditional, established and future methods of production will be explored across additive and subtractive methods of manufacture, in addition to advanced and distributed processes. Students will engage with the principles of the course through both the deconstruction of existing products as well as the design of the new through an iterative design sketching and modelling process.
Course Aims:
1. Introduce students to the primary principles of historical, contemporary and future manufacturing
2. Introduce students to the complex network of processes, materials and systems that is required to bring an artefact in to the world.
3. Develop student skills in understanding the properties and behaviour of materials and how manufacturing processes transform them toward their use in designed products.
4. Through talks and practical projects engage students in an understanding of manufacturing through the design and development of a product of their own.
5. Apply 3D software skills to the process of design and manufacture.
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Entry Requirements (not applicable to Visiting Students)
| Pre-requisites |
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Co-requisites | |
| Prohibited Combinations | |
Other requirements | If this course is Core to your programme, you will automatically be enrolled. For all other students, including Design students, the course is open on a first come, first served basis until the course is full. This course may have limited availability for non-Design students. Please contact the Course Organiser if you wish to enrol.
This Course requires additional costs to be met by the Student.
Equipment and software: Most equipment and software required will be provided by the School through computer suites, Adobe products, and AutoCAD Fusion 360 access (students may choose to work with their own equipment e.g. laptop). Other equipment can be loaned through the BookIt facilities.
Materials: Students will be expected to fund the purchase of general art and design materials, such as sketchbooks, paper and pens. Use of the Materials Hub and reusing materials within the studio is encouraged. Prototyping using paper and card is expected, with the final design being rendered in CAD.
Printing: Students are expected to fund occasional printing [i.e. A3 colour prints for pin-ups].
Trips: Student will be expected to support the cost of local travel by public transport.
Course Organisers will support you in meeting intended learning outcomes while keeping material costs to a minimum, but students will be expected to fund optional material costs as necessary for their own project work.
To fully participate in this course students are recommended to budget a minimum of £20. |
| Additional Costs | This Course requires additional costs to be met by the Student.
Equipment and software: Most equipment and software required will be provided by the School through computer suites, Adobe products, and AutoCAD Fusion 360 access (students may choose to work with their own equipment e.g. laptop). Other equipment can be loaned through the BookIt facilities.
Materials: Students will be expected to fund the purchase of general art and design materials, such as sketchbooks, paper and pens. Use of the Materials Hub and reusing materials within the studio is encouraged. Prototyping using paper and card is expected, with the final design being rendered in CAD.
Printing: Students are expected to fund occasional printing [i.e. A3 colour prints for pin-ups].
Trips: Student will be expected to support the cost of local travel by public transport.
Course Organisers will support you in meeting intended learning outcomes while keeping material costs to a minimum, but students will be expected to fund optional material costs as necessary for their own project work.
To fully participate in this course students are recommended to budget a minimum of £20. |
Course Delivery Information
| Not being delivered |
Learning Outcomes
On completion of this course, the student will be able to:
- Demonstrate understanding though inquisitive exploration of how designed products are assembled and components are manufactured.
- Demonstrate skill in developing design solutions, with multiple components, that evidence consideration of appropriate material specification, manufacturing methods, suitable for specific uses.
- Demonstrate skill in deploying a variety of appropriate techniques to realise design outcomes that are communicated in a professional and clear manner.
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Reading List
Braungart, W., and McDonough, M. (2002) Cradle to Cradle: Remaking the Way We Make Things, New York: North Point Press
Charney, D. (Ed.) (2011). The Power of Making. London: V&A Publishing
Groover, M, P. (2011) Introduction to Manufacturing Processes, Wiley.
Thompson, R. (2007) Manufacturing Processes for Design Professionals, London: Thames & Hudson.
Thwaites, T. (2011) The Toaster Project: Or A Heroic Attempt to Build a Simple Electric Appliance from Scratch. Princeton Architectural Press. |
Additional Information
| Graduate Attributes and Skills |
Be open to new ideas, methods and ways of thinking.
Be able to respond effectively to unfamiliar problems in unfamiliar contexts.
Be able to use communication as a tool for collaborating and relating to others
Be able to use effective communication to articulate their skills as identified through self-reflection. |
| Keywords | Manufacturing,Assembly,Design |
Contacts
| Course organiser | Miss Isla Munro
Tel:
Email: Isla.Munro@ed.ac.uk |
Course secretary | Miss Barbara Bianchi
Tel: (0131 6)51 5736
Email: barbara.bianchi@ed.ac.uk |
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