Spatial Design

Programme for exchange students Spatial Design

Course descriptions

1. Click on this link.
2. Select your exchange programme under 'EXCHANGE MODULES' on the left side.
3. Alternatively, copy and paste the module codes into the 'course ID/name' field.

Minor 'Spatialisation Design' in short

• You work on a research and design project in the spatial domain
• You work with an open view, with curiosity and an interest in the unknown and the unexpected.
• You work in a studio and gain access to all our workshops and technical knowledge and skills.
• This minor is available in semester 1 (1 Sept 2024 – 1 February 2025).

Course information

In this design minor of the HKU Design school, you work on your own design challenge in the spatial domain. You develop an idea or vision about an issue of your choice and make this vision/idea apparent in your physical creation.
Your own approach to design and scale level are central. As you create and investigate, you work towards your expression. You do this autonomously and under your own direction, but with guidance from the team of teachers and fellow students.

This integral project is structured from separate components, such as verbalising, visualising, designing and working independently. The minor also includes various activities within and outside the academy, feedback discussions and consultations with supervising teachers, experts (including external ones) and classmates.

What you'll be learning

• You pick a subject or field of interest that you want to explore for a longer period.
• You investigate the current state of affairs regarding your challenge and its context. What’s already known? Who is your target group and which parties are involved? Materialising and spatial creative research are the foundation for this exploration.
• You analyse and research your design from its spatial context. Which physical, material and technical requirements must you take into account, and which emotional, human, and social factors are important?
• You formulate design requirements on the basis of your research outcomes: what do you want to achieve with your project and which spatial interventions do you want to take? Your own personal signature is incorporated in this, as well as your choices for a certain quality level.
• You investigate various options in their concept form: what are the consequences of your intervention and how to visualise them? By studying spatial designs, literature research, and external workshops, your process is given shape. You document this process in a log.
• You conclude this minor with a presentation, together with a conversation in which you present your design. Based on your log or process book, you clarify your work process in a written essay.

Learning goals

1. Independently set up a design project and shape a design process in the spatial domain and turn it into a presentation.
2. Work from an investigative and creative approach and work towards an expression.
3. Define and develop your own design capacities and methods.
4. Analyse, define and visualise the consequences of an intervention.
5. Search and find reference projects and solutions or experiments of other designers in various disciplines and define their meaning for your project.
6. Reflect on your own work process and discuss it with others.
7. Cooperate when you think it’s desirable
8. Demonstrate the significance of the project for your position in your professional field and domains.

Assessment

Conclusion and assessment criteria

1. You present and substantiate convincingly what you wanted to achieve with the project, the design process and the choices you made in your designs and methods.
2. You have come to an expression and demonstrate control over its realisation.
3. You demonstrate that you have drawn various connections and sought expertise, and integrally applied the gained insights to your project..
4. You have worked exploratively and made conscious decisions based on your research.
5. You demonstrate what the project means for your role and professional attitude.

Place in the curriculum and related courses

This course is an elective module in year 3 of the Bachelor of Spatial Design.

Students

Please note that within this minor students from different HKU programs and students from various art and design programs from other institutions in the Netherlands will participate as well as 3rd year HKU Fashion Design students.

Language

Please note that the Bachelor programme is mainly taught in Dutch and exchange students are expected to be able to understand some Dutch. It is quite common that exchange students don't understand Dutch on a high level when they start at Spatial Design and you will of course be supervised in English.

During the Exchange period students get a buddy who will help them finding their way in the curriculum & school and will translate the essentials of classes.

More info?
Would you like to know more? Please check out this page.