According to Wanda Grimsgaard (professor at University of South-Eastern Norway) «The word design gives positive connotations. It signifies aesthetic, good form, good function and identity. That is why many declare ownership to it and use it in different contexts. The term “design” covers a wide specter and might be perceived as unclear. For most people, design is something visual or physical. Design is primarily problem solving, and the result can equally be an idea for improving a service as it can be a physical product.»

In an ever changing world dominated by visual impulses and communication, commercial brands, organizations and services compete for the users´ attention. Complex processes and rules define the different categories those actors operate in, communicating their diverse messages towards very different target groups.

The course «Design Concepts and Strategies» is about crafting decision-making, guiding strategy development and implementation towards innovative outcomes that benefit companies, brands, organizations and customers alike. The strategic use of design is crucial for solving complex problems, but also for developing strong identities for companies, products and organizations, using systems of visual communication elements.

This course will prepare the students for such processes and supply them with tools and techniques for problem-solving based on real-life scenarios, preferably in an international and interdisciplinary environment. The course module applies a range of interdisciplinary methodologies and approaches for the different steps in a strategic design process - covering research, analysis, strategy development, ideation, concept development, prototyping and implementation. The strategic process involves – especially in the initial phase of the process – analytical methods and interdisciplinary skills. Problem-solving and concept development involve the use of design methodologies such as iteration, sprints, user experience, customer journey, and design thinking. A major focus will be on strategic anchoring, concept development and the visuality of the developed solutions.

Central elements:

• Methods for research, problem-finding, analyses, evaluations and problem-solving
• Implementation of various methods into strategic processing
• Development of design strategy and design brief
• Problem-solving ideation- and concept development processes
• Critical evaluation measures
• Development of visual directions
• Crafting of design solutions in reference to the design brief
• Use of visual elements (graphic elements, UI, images, typography, text)
• Communication channels and campaigns
• Testing methods