Approved by SIAT UPC Oct 12, 2006
Course Number: IAT 336-3
Course Title: Materials in Design
Credit Hours: 3 Vector: 1-0-0-4 (lecture-tutorial-seminar-laboratory)
Course Description
Introduces material properties and performance in the context of interactive artifacts. Covers criteria for material selection, including durability, environmental effects, tactile properties, manufacturing processes, compatibility and effects of particular forms of use.
Prerequisite:
IAT 233-3 Spatial Design.
Recommended: None.
Corequisite: None.
Special Instructions: None.
Course(s) to be dropped if this course is approved: None.
Designers specify the materials from which designs are made. To do so, they must know both the criteria for material selection and the properties of candidate materials. This course constructs a framework of criteria using an exemplary class of artifacts to illustrate rational choices in both criteria development and material selection. The initial class of artifacts for this course will be children’s toys. Others may be developed out of particular faculty interests. Such a course does not exist at SFU.
Will this be a required or elective course in the curriculum; probable enrolment when offered?
Required for all SIAT students in the Design concentration; enrolment estimated at 50 per year.
Indicate Semester and Year this course would be first offered and planned frequency of offering thereafter.
2007-3 and annually thereafter.
Which of your present CFL faculty have the expertise to offer this course? Will the course be taught by sessional or limited term faculty?
Alissa Antle, Halil Erhan, Robert Woodbury, Thecla Schiphorst
Are there any proposed student fees associated with this course other than tuition fees?
No.
Is this course considered a `duplicate' of any current or prior course under the University's duplicate course policy? Specify, as appropriate.
No.
Note: Senate has approved (S.93-11) that no new course should be approved by Senate until funding has been committed for necessary library materials. Each new course proposal must be accompanied by a library report and, if appropriate, confirmation that funding arrangements have been addressed.
Provide details on how existing instructional resources will be redistributed to accommodate this new course. For instance, will another course be eliminated or will the frequency of offering of other courses be reduced; are there changes in pedagogical style or class sizes that allow for this additional course offering.
This course is introduced as a part of the larger SIAT curriculum redesign. Several SIAT courses will be eliminated making resources available to accommodate this course.
Does the course require specialized space or equipment not readily available in the department or university, and if so, how will these resources be provided?
No.
Does this course require computing resources (e.g. hardware, software, network wiring, use of computer laboratory space) and if so, describe how they will be provided.
No.
After completing this course students will be able to:
Prepare criteria for material selection for a particular class of designs.
Research, specify and justify material choices within that class.
Use materials and processes on them to enhance designs.
Understand the breadth of issues affecting materials in design.
Understand how material choices affect the performance of designs.
Understand environmental issues in material choices.
This course provides students with an understanding of materials choices in designing interactive objects and environments. The range of available materials and manufacturing processes is vast, but all choices must respond to the requirements posed by the particular artifact being designed. The course thus aims first at understanding the criteria that affect material choices in design, such as durability, environmental effects, tactile properties, manufacturing processes, compatibility and effects of particular forms of use. These will be demonstrated in the context of a particular class of artifacts, for example, interactive children’s toys. Clever use of materials may enhance designs and the course will assist students in developing strategies for doing so. Visits to local manufacturing firms will make students aware of both manufacturing processes and implications of materials choices.
Delivery Method: Lectures and tutorials
30% Lab activities and assignments (multiple activities and assignments spread throughout the course)
40% One or two projects
30% Exam
Dan O’Sullivan and Tom Igoe, Physical Computing, Thomson.
Materials and Design: The Art and Science of Material Selection in Product Design by Michael Ashby, Kara Johnson, Butterworth, Heinneman.