Description:

The course provides an overview of selected product (and graphic) design concepts and notions from the late 19th century to the present. The course focuses on ontological issues of design, relationship between form and function, ornament, information visualization theory and ecological responsibility of design. Students will be introduced to the diverse sociological aspects of the field, both from the point of view of the designer and the user, including the feminist critique of design or the influence of subcultures on mainstream design. Attention will also be given to theoretical thinking about design as a marketing tool. Students will learn about selected aesthetic problems that are relevant to the theory of design, especially the kitsch phenomenon. Selected lectures will focus on text analysis.

Abbreviations used:

Semester:

• W ... winter semester (usually October - February)
• S ... spring semester (usually March - June)
• W,S ... both semesters

Mode of completion of the course:

• A ... Assessment (no grade is given to this course but credits are awarded. You will receive only P (Passed) of F (Failed) and number of credits)
• GA ... Graded Assessment (a grade is awarded for this course)
• EX ... Examination (a grade is awarded for this course)
• A, EX ... Examination (the award of Assessment is a precondition for taking the Examination in the given subject, a grade is awarded for this course)

Weekly load (hours per week):

• P ... lecture
• C ... seminar
• L ... laboratory
• R ... proseminar
• S ... seminar