Class Design Office IV

The course Design Office IV develops advanced design project competences through the conception of experiential design systems applied to territory. Design is approached as a systemic and strategic practice, integrating product, communication, service and technology to create meaningful experiences. Starting from natural and cultural assets of the Algarve - such as biomaterials, local production practices, gastronomy or crafts - students develop design proposals that enhance territorial value, creating connections between people, culture, economy and environment. The course integrates approaches such as Systemic Design, Regenerative Design, Experience Design, Service Design and Value-Based Design. The process includes territorial research, conceptual development and the creation of integrated design systems, while fostering critical reflection on the use of digital technologies and artificial intelligence in the creative process.

Not applicable

CP1 - Systemic and Regenerative Design Principles of systemic thinking applied to design, exploring relationships between design, ecology, economy and culture, and regenerative approaches to territorial impact. CP2 - Territorial and Value-Based Design Enhancing natural and cultural assets, territorial identity, creative economy and integration of social and environmental values in design processes. CP3 - Experience and Service Design Designing meaningful experiences through journey mapping, interactions, narratives and service systems. CP4 - Territorial Research and Mapping Identification of stakeholders and analysis of relationships between culture, nature, economy and community. CP5 - Integrated Design Systems Development of coherent proposals integrating product, communication, service and technology. CP6 - Critical Thinking on Technology and AI Critical use of digital tools and artificial intelligence in research, ideation and project development.

The course combines recognized design education methodologies organized into progressive learning moments (M1-M4). M1 - Studio-Based Learning Learning takes place in a studio environment, including tutorials, discussions and critique sessions, supporting the research and conceptual framing of the project. M2 - Project-Based Learning Students develop a project throughout the semester, applying theoretical knowledge to analyze problems and build contextualized design proposals. M3 - Experiential Learning Learning occurs through cycles of experience, reflection and experimentation, applied in territorial immersion, stakeholder analysis and iterative project development. M4 - Design Thinking Structures the project through phases of research, problem definition, ideation and development of design solutions.

Ezio Manzini Manzini, E. (2015). Design, When Everybody Designs: An Introduction to Design for Social Innovation. MIT Press. Marc Stickdorn Stickdorn, M., Hormess, M., Lawrence, A., & Schneider, J. (2018). This Is Service Design Doing. O'Reilly. Marc Hassenzahl Hassenzahl, M. (2018). Experience Design: Concepts and Case Studies. Bloomsbury. Don Norman Norman, D. A. (2013). The Design of Everyday Things (Revised and Expanded Edition). Basic Books. Daniel Christian Wahl Wahl, D. C. (2016). Designing Regenerative Cultures. Triarchy Press.