Scandinavian Design, 7.5 credits

Main field of study with advanced study

General entry requirements (with the exemption of the requirement in Swedish) + English 6.

Single subject course.

During the course, students are to develop an overall understanding of Scandinavian design from the second half of the 19th century up to the 2020s, with a focus on the industry of applied arts and industrial design. This includes understanding of the consequences of altered methods of production and materials. Students are to develop understanding about design as an expression of practical function and design as communication. In addition, students are to develop understanding of, and capacity to problematise, the writing of history about Scandinavian design, against the background of Scandinavian and international societal and cultural contexts. Through analysis of artefacts and images, students are to develop skill in using design objects and pictures of design as information sources and a starting point for analytical reasoning.

Following successful completion of the course the student should be able to:

Knowledge and understanding

• give a general account of design-related concepts and design trends in Scandinavia with regard to changes in production methods and materials from the second half of the 19th century up to the 2020s
• give a general account of design-related concepts and design trends in Scandinavia with regard to cultural and societal conditions from the second half of the 19th century up to the 2020s

Skills and ability

• use artefacts and images as information sources and a starting point for analytical reasoning around design trends, cultural and societal values
• broadly compare Scandinavian design with international trends
• analyse design artefacts in terms of practical function and communication

Judgement and approach

• generally reflect upon and problematise the writing of history about Scandinavian design as distinct from design in other countries
• generally reflect upon the manufacture and usage of Scandinavian design taking into consideration issues of sustainability and gender

The course covers Scandinavian design from the 19th century’s reuse of older styles and nascent nationalism to the 20th century’s emphasis on the practical and functional, as well as the late 20th century departure from this. Concepts such as style, taste, more beautiful everyday goods and functionalism are covered, along with discussions around the aim and purpose of design. The consequences of altered methods of production and materials are also covered. Individual designers are discussed, and their design are analysed as examples of design trends. Further, the writing of history about Scandinavian design is discussed and problematised. This is done against the backdrop of Scandinavian and international societal and cultural contexts. As part of this, the globalisation of the 21st century and increasing awareness of environmental issues, sustainability and gender are examined. Through studies of various types of literature and source texts, focus is placed on important events, ideas and values about Scandinavian design.

Teaching is conducted via the University’s digital learning platform with recorded lectures, instruction materials, discussion exercises and virtual excursions in which teachers and students participate.

The course is examined through three short individual assignments in the form of digital tests about design-related concepts and design trends as well as about design artefacts and images of design as an information source. The course concludes with an individual written take-home examination. The grade for the whole course is determined by the grade obtained on the take-home exam, provided that the other examination components are passed.

If there are special reasons, the examiner may make exceptions from the specified examination format and allow a student to be examined in another way. Special reasons can e.g. be study support for students with disabilities.

Course evaluation is part of the course. This evaluation offers guidance in the future development and planning of the course. Course evaluation is documented and made available to the students.