Semantics of Product Development

Code:

EDDP0018

Acronym:

SDP

Keywords
Classification	Keyword
OFICIAL	Social and Behavioral Sciences

Instance: 2011/2012 - 1S

Active?	Yes
Responsible unit:	Department of Mechanical Engineering
Course/CS Responsible:	Specialization in Product Design and Development

Cycles of Study/Courses

Acronym	No. of Students	Study Plan	Curricular Years	Credits UCN	Credits ECTS	Contact hours	Total Time
EADDP	0	Syllabus since 2010/11	1	-	3	28	81
EDDP	22	Syllabus since 2010/11	1	-	3	28	81

Teaching language

Portuguese

Objectives

1. To consider the semantics analysis as an important tool in the study of design.
2. Equating the design of the experience, while integrator perspective of the emotion and the interaction aesthetic, in the qualification of the usability of a product and support the students in the application of these concepts to its quotidian experience and while designers.
3. To present several theoretical proposals that throughout the time had been binding the studies of design to these disciplinary topics.
Competences to acquire
- Understanding the centrality of the meaning in the relation with the artifacts and its use
- Application of an approach to design centered in the person for opposition to one design centered in the technology.
- Development of the critical capacity in the evaluation of the communicative dimension of the artifacts.

Program

Review of concepts in the area of semiotics of the artifacts:
- signs,
- codes,
- the objects as signs and codes,
- cultures.
Introduction to the subject of the curricular unit: semantics of the product.
The trajectory of the artificiality and the change of the culture of design and in its speech. Essential concepts on design centred in the person.
The meanings of the artifacts: in the use, in the language, its cycle of life and its ecological framing.
Some methodological aspects.

Mandatory literature

LEEDS-HURWITZ, WENDY ; Semiotics and communication: signs, codes, cultures, Lawrence Erlbaum Associates, New Jersey, USA, 1993. ISBN: 0805811397
KRIPPENDORFF, KLAUS ; The semantic turn: a new foundation for design, CRC Press, Taylor & Francis Group, USA, 2006. ISBN: 0415322200
MARGOLIN, VÍCTOR; Design Discourse, History - Theory - Criticism, The University of Chicago Press. Chicago, 1989. ISBN: 0-226-50513-8
MARGOLIN, VÍCTOR; The idea of design, The MIT Press. Cambridge, USA, 1998. ISBN: 0-262-63166-0

Teaching methods and learning activities

The UC is developed by the presentation of the theoretical contents, by the individual accomplishment of small works that will have to be adjusted to the projectual development proposed by the direction of the course.
One intends that these works assist the students in the understanding of the topics in cause and the formation of a critical attitude.
The presentation and quarrel of the solutions found for each work will be another basic instrument of learning. The resolution of these exercises will be followed and criticized by the professor, in the intention of that the students feel each time more capable to theoretically defend its work.
The evaluation will be of mixing type considering the following parameters:
- Capacity of analysis and understanding of a proposal.
- Capacity of development of a work, considering the limits/possibilities of the program and objectives to reach.
- In function of the situations to solve, the efficient resolution and the creativity of the solutions are evaluated.
- Quality of the instruments carried through for the presentations and clarity of the associated speeches
- Assiduity and participation in the classes.
The theoretical-practical component = 100% (no exam)
The delay relative to the delivery date of the proposal for each exercise will be penalized.

Software

Não aplicável

Evaluation Type

Distributed evaluation without final exam

Assessment Components

Description	Type	Time (hours)	Weight (%)	End date
Attendance (estimated)	Participação presencial	28,00
Homeworks	Trabalho escrito	32,00		2012-02-02
	Total:	-	0,00

Amount of time allocated to each course unit

Description	Type	Time (hours)	End date
Study	Estudo autónomo	21	2012-02-10
	Total:	21,00

Eligibility for exams

The student cannot exceeds 25% of the number of planned classes

Calculation formula of final grade

Theoretician-practical component = 100%
Accomplishment of at least 5 practical works

Examinations or Special Assignments

Not applicable

Special assessment (TE, DA, ...)

The same as for the other students

Classification improvement

Not applicable