Program Overview

Course Overview

Course Description

The course TPD4122, Design 3 - Human Centered Design & Innovation, provides basic knowledge in complex problem solving in design through a human-centered design process (HCD) and approach to innovation of new products and services. HCD is a problem-solving process in which people (users and stakeholders) play a central role and are involved as collaborators throughout the design process.

Course Content

This course combines theoretical learning with project work, including starting from a real complex problem and innovating a user-tested product or service. The course will provide an introduction to basic design methods in HCD, with a focus on critical thinking and complex problem solving. This includes practical application of the HCD framework, methods, and tools such as double diamond, contextual inquiry, empathy, user interviews, affinity mapping, personas, and scenarios, ideation, concept development, prototyping, and testing.

Learning Outcomes

After completing the course, students should be able to:

• Use human-centered methods to identify challenges and opportunities for innovation
• Involve end-users and stakeholders and jointly identify challenges and co-create improvements
• Apply methods related to the HCD process, including double diamond, ethnographic analysis, problem framing, affinity mapping, concept development, prototype development, and testing
• Work in teams, design criticism, and colleague learning

Course Details

Credits and Level

• Credits: 7.5
• Level: Intermediate course, level II

Course Start and Duration

• Course start: Autumn 2025
• Duration: 1 semester

Language of Instruction and Location

• Language of instruction: English and Norwegian
• Location: Trondheim

Examination Arrangement

• Examination arrangement: Portfolio

Learning Methods and Activities

Project-Based Learning

The course is based on project-based learning. The teaching is highly interactive and includes one-on-one mentoring, encourages peer learning, group work, and hands-on experience solving complex design problems in real life.

Compulsory Assignments

• Mandatory Attendance (80%)

Evaluation

The course will be assessed based on the following deliverables:

• Project report (100%): Group work is assessed based on the design process, research, and final solution
• Mandatory attendance for the course (80%)

Admission and Requirements

Specific Conditions

• Admission to a programme of study is required: Industrial Design Engineering (MTDESIG)

Recommended Previous Knowledge

• TPD4100 Design 1 - Introduction
• TPD4102 Design 2 - Composition

Required Previous Knowledge

• Students enrolled in the industrial design program
• International exchange students (limited number of places)

Course Materials and Credit Reductions

Course Materials

Course materials will be stated at the start of the semester

Credit Reductions

• Course code: TPD4121
• Reduction: 7.5 sp
• From: Autumn 2025 This course has academic overlap with the course in the table above. If you take overlapping courses, you will receive a credit reduction in the course where you have the lowest grade. If the grades are the same, the reduction will be applied to the course completed most recently.

Subject Areas

• Design Methodology
• Interaction Design
• Product development, Innovation, and Entrepreneurship