Project
Module

In PM1, you will begin developing and investigating your topic for your master’s thesis. This involves engaging with real-world issues and interacting with various stakeholder groups. You will also work on initial prototypes and learn how to use design sprints to conceptualize a topic.

During PM1, consider the following basic questions:

• What topics interest me?
• What do I want to investigate in more detail?
• How and where do I want to facilitate change?
• Who are my most important stakeholders, and how can I reach them?
• How can I best leverage my own skills?
• What knowledge or skills do I still need to acquire?

The end-of-semester presentation is the main performance record of Project Module 1. Some points to consider include:

• Choose a suitable presentation method and ensure your content fits the medium (avoid using too much text on slides!).
• Consider how best to engage the audience.
• Try to entertain your audience.
• Practice your presentation, ideally in front of others, and check the timing! You must not exceed the allocated time.

Present the following content in 15 minutes:

Task 1 – Define your research domain and the actors involved

• What domain or topic are you interested in?
• What are the most important issues in that domain?
• Who are the main stakeholders? Also, consider non-human stakeholders such as ecosystems, animals, nature, materials, objects, buildings, etc. … who often have some form of agency or needs that might be of importance.
• What interests do the stakeholders have?
• How are the stakeholders connected?
• What are the main challenges for contacting and working with stakeholders?
• What problems are relevant and waiting for a solution … and/or what potentials have you found that are yet unexplored?

How to accomplish this:

Lay out your findings in visual maps, diagrams, or other suitable formats.

Task 2 – State-of-the-art

Describe the current practice in your domain of interest:

• What are the fields/areas that need to be looked at to understand your own topic better? Is it, for example, aspects of psychology, city planning, sustainability, storytelling, etc…
• What are relevant practitioners already doing in the described field?
• What are the main secondary sources (literature, movies, podcasts, etc.) to support your intentions?
• What is the first-hand knowledge to support your intentions (observations, interviews,…)

How to do this:

• Summarise what you have learned about the practices involved and list the sources you want to investigate over the coming months.

• Showcase how designers or other practitioners have addressed these or similar issues. What do you learn from these good and bad examples?

Task 3 – Idea development

Transform your research into practice. Ask yourself:

• What needs to change and why?
• What are possible solutions?

If you are exploring the potential of something rather than looking for a problem to solve:

• What qualities does this thing/issue have?
• How can you transform this into something else, and for what purpose?

How to do this:

• Brainstorm a wide variety of ideas and sketches without judging them.
• Share ideas and concepts in a presentation.
• Assessment: In your presentation, evaluate your outcomes. What are they? How do they help contribute to your goals? What aspects are useful, and what are not?

Task 4 – Prototyping

Please choose at least one concept to prototype. Reflect on the following points:

• Which ideas best demonstrate the issues you are addressing?
• How can a prototype tell a story? 
• Which ideas would have the most impact? 
• What is the best medium for your prototype? 

How to do this:

• Display the prototype(s) during your presentation.
• Reflect: In what ways was prototyping helpful? How did it inform your research? What aspects require further investigation?

Task 5 – Define your research approach

Determine the direction your research should take from here. Consider whether you aim to answer a specific question, tackle a particular problem, or explore the potential of a certain domain. It could be a mixture. Ask yourself:

• What do you need to learn? 
• How do you plan to gather this information?
• How will you collect data? 
• What role does the interpretation and analysis of visual material and/or objects play in your research? 
• How do you intend to develop your practical work?
• What benefits can this approach provide?
 
• Where do you need help? 
• What possible next steps do you plan for the coming months?

How to do this:

In your presentation, discuss your research approach, outline your next steps, and explain why this approach is beneficial. Illustrate your process with visual aids such as maps, diagrams, and images.

Your work will be assessed by your first and secondary supervisors, the head of the project module, and the head of the master’s program. 

Students select their primary/secondary supervisors in December of the fall semester (HS). The module lead will send a selection sheet with three preference choices. Each core faculty member can support up to five students per semester for PM or thesis coaching.

The evaluation criteria are as follows:

Criterion No. 1 – Research process:

Articulates relationships between practice, theory, and research. Relevance of project to chosen field. Extent to which it exhibits an awareness of academic standards.

Criterion No. 2 – Analysis and synthesis:

Evaluates relevance of research data findings, the contribution of initial ideas and concepts, their originality, breadth of scope, and potential for further exploration.

Criterion No. 3 – Relevance and impact:

Gauges importance of the selected topic, depth of stakeholder engagement, and the potential for impact of initial ideas and prototypes.

Criterion No. 4 – Quality of concept, design, and prototype:

Assesses the effectiveness of the first ideas and prototypes to showcase innovativeness, craftsmanship, and the potential for engagement.

Criterion No. 5 – Documentation and presentation:

Considers documentation and presentation of analysis, research, and design processes. Evaluates the effectiveness of the oral presentation and handling of questions.

Project Module 1 will be graded as either pass or fail.

During Atelier Day on Wednesdays, you can discuss your topic and progress with staff members of your choice. You will also be assigned first and second supervisors as your contacts for questions regarding your progress.

Project Module 1 will be graded as either pass or fail.
A provisional “almost fail” is also possible.

Almost fail

In the case of an “almost fail,” improvements must be completed within one week of the module’s end at the latest. As a rule, the assessment takes place in the form of a follow-up presentation. The exact schedule will be announced following the evaluation of Project Module 1. After the follow-up presentations, students will be assessed as a pass or fail.

Fail

Students whose presentations are assessed as unsatisfactory are deemed to have failed, as are students who are absent from the presentations without a valid excuse. If you must miss the presentation for any reason, please contact the head of the master’s program or the head of the project module as early as possible. Students who fail Project Module 1 can only continue their studies after repeating the module the following year.

Please note that each assignment and assessment is independent. If you successfully complete Project Module 1 but later decide to change your topic, you are free to do so. 

However, such fundamental changes may require restarting the entire research process. Therefore, this approach is only recommended if thoroughly considered and discussed with your tutors.

See SharePoint folder

In Project Module 2, you will deepen the exploration of your topic and begin to build an argument that supports your intentions as a designer. Based on the feedback from the end-of-semester representation of PM1, you will engage more intensively with representatives from your stakeholder groups, enhance both your desktop research and your empirical investigations, and develop new ideas and prototypes.

The exposé for your research thesis is also part of PM1 but will be addressed in a separate section.

During PM2, consider the following questions:

• What are the relevant and urgent points worth addressing in my field?
• Which of the considered pathways are dead ends?
• What are the gaps in my research?
• What alternative methods are worth exploring?
• How can I enhance stakeholder engagement?
• How can I utilize my prototypes as a form of investigation and reflection?

The end-of-semester presentation serves as the main performance record for Project Module 2. We encourage you to consult your exposé for this purpose, particularly regarding Task 1.

Task 1 – Present an argument based on research

Reflect on the following questions:

• What is your domain of interest, and what central issues are you addressing?
• Who are the key stakeholders, and what are their interests?
• What empirical evidence have you gathered to support your argument (observations, interviews, etc.)?
• What are relevant practitioners currently doing in this field, and what is missing?
• What contributions are these researchers and thinkers making to improve understanding of this domain?
• What is your main thrust in dealing with your subject’s defined problems or potential?
• What are the main challenges and risks associated with your project?

How to approach this:

• Summarize your findings and structure them into a cohesive argument that supports your intended approach.

Task 2 – Design intervention

Please present prototypes that indicate the direction in which your project should develop.

How to approach this:

Develop various prototypes that illustrate the issues and potential within the domain. These prototypes should serve as a basis for discussion with stakeholders and/or show ways of dealing with the defined challenges.

Using the following criteria, your work will be assessed by your primary and secondary supervisors, the head of the project module, and the head of the master’s program.

Criterion No. 1 – Research process:

Articulates relationships between practice, theory, and research. Relevance of project to chosen field. Extent to which it exhibits an awareness of academic standards.

Criterion No. 2 – Analysis and synthesis:

Evaluates applicability of the findings made from the research data. Contribution of the iterated ideas and concepts, their originality, the scope of their exploration, and potential for further exploration.

Criterion No. 3 – Relevance and impact:

Gauges the relevance of the chosen topic, the depth of stakeholder engagement, and analysis of the potential impact of the design interventions.

Criterion No. 4 – Quality of concept, design, and prototype:

Assesses the degree of innovation, craftsmanship and potential for engagement of the design interventions.

Criterion No. 5 – Documentation and presentation:

Considers documentation and presentation of analysis, research, and design processes. Evaluates the effectiveness of the oral presentation and handling of questions.

Project Module 2 will be graded as either pass or fail.

During Atelier Day on Wednesdays, you can discuss your topic and progress with staff members of your choice. You will also be assigned a first and second supervisor as your first point of contact for questions regarding your progress.

Project Module 2 will be graded as either pass or fail.
A provisional “almost fail” is also possible.

Almost fail

In the case of an “almost fail,” improvements must be completed within one week of the module’s end at the latest. As a rule, the assessment takes place in the form of a follow-up presentation. The exact schedule will be announced following the evaluation of Project Module 2. After the follow-up presentations, students will be assessed as either pass or fail.

Fail

Students whose presentations are assessed as unsatisfactory are deemed to have failed, as are students who are absent from the presentations without a valid excuse. If you must miss the presentation for any reason, please contact the head of the master’s program or the head of the Project Module as early as possible. Students who fail Project Module 2 can only continue their studies after repeating the module the following year.

See SharePoint folder

The exposé involves summarizing the findings from the project module completed thus far and establishing a foundation for the research thesis. In this process, you will refine your research interests and outline the key stakeholders, sources, current state of knowledge, and methods central to your research thesis.

You are required to deliver a document with a maximum length of 16 A4 pages. The cover page should contain:

• First and last name
• MA program you are enrolled in (Design, Digital Ideation, Eco-Social Design or Service Design)
• Name of your research thesis supervisor
• Title for your research project
• Date of submission
• Symbolic image that represents your research focus

Task 1 – Definition of the research focus

Describe the topic your research thesis will focus on.

Deliver the following:

A visual map/diagram that shows and explains your research focus (1-2 A4 pages)
A text describing and defining your research focus (2 pages A4, 800–1000 words). As a headline, use ‘Definition of the research focus.’

How to do this:

Develop your stakeholder map/diagram from PM1 further (or develop a new one if you haven’t done one) based on what you have learned since. Think about:

• What practices do you want to examine in your research and design thesis?
• What are the issues in the domain that you are concerned with?
• Who are the stakeholders? What interests do they have? How are the stakeholders connected?

Based on the improved map, define your research focus as follows

• Describe your main stakeholders and their relationships.
• Explain three issues arising from the stakeholder map that you consider relevant for a design intervention and why these issues are relevant.
• Describe the potential of a possible design intervention. What should such an intervention achieve?

Task 2 – Definition of the research aim

The research thesis aims to develop robust knowledge as a foundation for the design thesis. Describe the relationship between these two components.

Deliver the following:

A text describing and defining the research aim (1 A4 page, 400–500 words). As a headline, use “Definition of the research aim.”

How to do this:

• Describe what the research thesis is supposed to do for you and your design thesis.
• Explain what you need to discover to support the design thesis and why.

Task 3 – Definition of areas of knowledge and practice

Describe how your research topic connects you to other professions, disciplines, and practices.

Deliver the following:

A visual map/diagram that shows and explains how your research is positioned within other areas of knowledge and practice (1-2 A4 pages).
As a headline, use “Definition of areas of knowledge and practice.” 

How to do this:

• Draw a map (1 A4 page) of the areas of knowledge and practice outside of design that support your research.
• Briefly explain those fields, show their relationship, and position your work on the map.

Task 4 – Outline of desktop research and state-of-the-art

Show awareness of the relevant theoretical discourses around your topic and the relevant practices in design and other related fields.

Deliver the following:

• A list/table of sources with descriptions (1–2 A4 pages)
• A list/table of projects/case studies with descriptions (1–2 A4 pages) 
  As a headline, use ‘Desktop research and state-of-the-art.’

How to do this:

• List at least 15 sources that discuss the areas of knowledge and practice you are interested in. At least half of the sources need to be texts. Also consider other sources such as films, podcasts, etc. … Briefly describe each source in your list and why you think it is relevant.
• List at least 10 projects/case studies related to your project. Briefly describe each project, its value propositions, and why you think it is relevant.

Task 5 – Method mix

Define and describe the methods you will use to approach your research and explore your field of interest.

Deliver the following:

A text describing your mix of methods (1-2 A4 pages, 400– 500 words)
As a headline, use ‘Method mix.’

How to do this?

• Describe the research methods you want to use and why they are relevant.
• Also, explain how design practice, such as ideation and simple prototypes, can help you investigate your domain.

Task 6 – Research plan

Lay out a research plan for the research thesis.

Deliver the following:

Research plan (1 page A4) 
As a headline, use ‘Research plan.’

How?

• Identify your own milestones: detail what needs to be accomplished and give a timeline for each goal.
• Define your resources: list resources you need to achieve your aims.
• Define risks: Identify potential risks that could impact your research. Categorize risks, e.g., systemic, strategic, conceptual, methodological, financial, operational, etc. What is the level of risk: high, medium, or low? How do you intend to mitigate these risks?

Your work will be assessed by a research thesis supervisor assigned to you.

Criterion No. 1 – Research process:

Articulates the relevance of the proposed methodological approach.

Criterion No. 2 – Analysis and synthesis:

Evaluates the relevance and practicability of the research plan.

Criterion No. 3 – Relevance and Impact:

Gauges the significance of the research focus by examining its position within relevant areas of knowledge & practice, and the state-of-the-art.

Criterion No. 4 – Quality of Concept, Design, and Prototype

Assesses the potential contribution to the design thesis as defined in the research aim.

Criterion No. 5 – Documentation and Presentation:

Considers readability, clarity, and comprehensibility.

The exposé will be graded as either pass or fail.

Your assigned research thesis supervisor will support you with the exposé and the research thesis. This support happens outside of the Atelier Day. Your supervisor has two hours assigned for meetings with you. It is your task to approach your supervisor early enough to arrange meetings. We recommend one 30-minute meeting for the exposé and three 30-minute meetings for the research thesis.

The exposé will be graded as either pass or fail, with a provisional “almost fail” option.

Almost fail

In the case of an “almost fail,” improvements on the exposé must be completed within one week of the module’s end at the latest. After the improved exposé is handed in, students will be assessed with a pass or fail mark.

Fail

Students whose exposé is assessed as unsatisfactory are deemed to have failed, as are students who do not deliver an exposé without a valid excuse. If you cannot deliver your exposé in due time, please contact the head of the master’s program or the head of the Project Module as early as possible. Students who fail the exposé can only continue their studies after repeating Project Module 2 the following year.

See SharePoint folder

Based on the insights gained in your research thesis, you will intensify your design process by iteratively developing more conclusive concepts and prototypes. Stakeholder involvement will become even more important as a means of validating the possible impact of your work.

During PM3, ask yourself the following questions:

• What is the aim of my design thesis?
• How do I define the impact of my proposal?
• How can I involve stakeholders in a meaningful way?
• What external expertise do I need, and how can I acquire it?
• What are the risks and challenges towards reaching my goal?
• How do I plan the necessary steps to complete my studies successfully?

Attendance of at least 80% during Atelier Days is mandatory. There will be no examination.

On Wednesdays, during Atelier Day, you can discuss your topic and progress with your first and second supervisors and with other staff members of your choice.