Course detail

Methodology of design process 1

FaVU-1MDP1Acad. year: 2025/2026

Through lectures and practical assignments, topics related to understanding design as a process with its own specific methodology will be introduced.

Language of instruction

Czech

Number of ECTS credits

3

Mode of study

Not applicable.

Entry knowledge

None.

Rules for evaluation and completion of the course

The course is concluded with an oral exam. To be admitted to the exam, students must complete all ongoing assignments according to teachers´ requirements.

The oral exam verifies the ability of students to apply the topics presented in the course to a model task.

Aims

After completing the course, students should be able to:

  • understand the concepts of design thinking and design process;
  • recognize the differences and similarities between design, art, and scientific fields;
  • have extended knowledge of the roles that designers can assume in their practice and in society, as well as the competencies they may use in their professional activities;
  • be familiar with frameworks and fundamental phases of design process;
  • have an overview of qualitative and quantitative methods for user research;
  • interpret data from user research;
  • evaluate the quality of information sources and methods for a specific context;
  • apply the discussed methods and principles in own projects.

Study aids

Not applicable.

Prerequisites and corequisites

Not applicable.

Basic literature

Holmes, Kat, and John Maeda. Mismatch: how inclusion shapes design. The MIT Press, 2018.
Boeijen, Annemiek van, et al. Delft Design Guide - Revised Edition: Perspectives - Models - Approaches - Methods. 1st edition, Revised edition, BIS Publishers, 2020. 
Cross, Nigel. Design thinking: understanding how designers think and work. Second edition, Bloomsbury Visual Arts, 2023. 
Norman, Donald A. The Design of Everyday Things. Rev. and Expanded edition, MIT press, 2013. 
“100 Metod: Rozcestník Metod pro Odpovědný Design Informačních Služeb.,” n.d. https://kisk.phil.muni.cz/100metod.

Recommended reading

Creswell, John W. a Cheryl N. Poth. 2018. Qualitative inquiry & research design: choosing among five approaches. Los Angeles: SAGE.
Luňáčková, Daniela, Šárka Matoušková, and Ladislava Suchá Zbiejczuk. “Transition Design · Set of Cards,” n.d. https://kisk.phil.muni.cz/transitiondesign/en/outcomes/cards.
Sauro, Jeff. Quantifying the User Experience: Practical Statistics for User Research. Morgan Kaufmann, 2016. 
Rawsthorn, Alice. Design as an Attitude. Revised and Expanded edition of the original 2018 publication, JRP Editions, 2022. 

Classification of course in study plans

  • Programme DES_B Bachelor's 2 year of study, winter semester, compulsory
    2 year of study, winter semester, compulsory
    2 year of study, winter semester, compulsory
    2 year of study, winter semester, compulsory

Type of course unit

 

Lecture

14 hod., optionally

Teacher / Lecturer

Syllabus

  • Development of the concept of design thinking; roles and competencies of designers
  • Design – art – science; interdisciplinary collaboration
  • Inclusive design
  • Design process and its phases; frameworks
  • Qualitative methods for user research
  • Quantitative methods for user research
  • Methods for analyzing data from user research

Exercise

12 hod., compulsory

Teacher / Lecturer

Syllabus

  • Information and data literacy
  • Designing user research
  • Practicing qualitative research methods
  • Practicing quantitative research methods
  • Practicing coding and structuring data
  • Frameworks for analyzing data from user research