Multi-Sensory Design Studio

This is a design studio of DfI theme 1: Design for Human Interaction.

There is a common trend and expectation in technologically-advanced societies that emerging technologies will support and even enhance the perceptual and cognitive abilities of humans both in professional and domestic environments. Thus, our ability to interact with the world will be facilitated by how empowered we are by technology. Moreover, researchers are discovering the sensory effects of human-made products and built-environments on plants and animals. Taking a more-than-human perspective through immersive sensory substitution will help increase our awareness of our external environment and our presence within this.

In the Multi-Sensory Design Studio students frame, conceptualise, and give form to designs that extend our natural reality. By creating and testing high fidelity prototypes iteratively, the multisensorial information and expression that extend our realities are enhanced. Moreover, students discover how to design sensory substitutes or sensory extensions/augmentations in various extended environments (i.e., real, augmented and virtual). The course aims to offer an optimal combination of making and knowing. We organize making activities around the various theoretical and empirical facets of multisensory design.

The study goals of this course will be assessed by:

- Portfolio assignment including a functional prototype (exhibition) and a selection or prototypes developed throughout Q3 and Q4.

- Project report.

The final grade in the course is pass/fail, where a pass is attained when all summative assessments resulted in pass.

Students will be assessed formatively twice during the semester.

First formative assessment consists of a progress report about theory and technology. This will be a group assignment. Students will also be asked to write an individual reflection on their personal development and group contribution, and describe their goals for Q4.

The second formative assessment is a midterm presentation on design and application of theory and technology. Students have to write an individual reflection on their personal development and group contribution.