PhD Course: Playful Experiments - Sensory Explorations in Design Research

Name: PhD Course: Playful Experiments - Sensory Explorations in Design Research
Start: 2025-04-22T09:00:00+02:00
End: 2025-04-25T16:00:00+02:00
Location: Ågade 10, 6000 Kolding, Denmark

Schedule

Tue, 22 Apr, 2025 at 09:00 am to Fri, 25 Apr, 2025 at 04:00 pm

UTC+02:00

Location

Ågade 10, 6000 Kolding, Denmark | Kolding, VJ

This PhD course delves into the role of experiments and explorations of materiality and sensory aspects in research through design processes.
The objective of the course is to generate a foundation for PhD students to position their work in and with the fluid and dynamic character of design research. An unavoidable aspect of the PhD study is embracing and working constructively with unpredictability and emergence. In this course, the uncertain nature of design experiments will be addressed through a theoretical grounding in play theory, where participants will explore and discuss the integration of playful approaches in design research, examining how sensory, relational and material explorations can shape and inform professional practices as design researchers. Play research and research through design have strong links because both prioritize creativity, exploration, and experiential learning as central processes for generating knowledge. The course emphasizes the significance of experiential knowledge in fostering research encounters and positioning the PhD study in a methodological landscape of experimental design research, exploring the research question:
How can attention to playful approaches in practice-based research explorations involving sensory materiality contribute to defining and understanding methodologies in research through design?
The course will draw on recent literature examining the role of materiality, sensory experiences, and experimental approaches in design research. It will propose tentative methodologies to be explored further through themes related to material aesthetic practices, incorporating reflective perspectives rooted in doubt, wonder, and care.
The theoretical foundation of the course leads to hands-on methodological perspectives and multimodal exercises, e.g. annotated portfolio, conducting fieldnotes through sensory and visual participation, playful writing and aesthetic dialogues.
Programme:
The four days will be a mix of lectures, workshops, and individual work combined with discussions and hands-on workshops in small groups based on the participant’s own projects. Please note that the course will be held in person at Kolding School of Design in Kolding, Denmark.
The course content is illustrated with exemplars from practice and complemented by hands-on activities that serve as vehicles for explorations and discussions. During the course, participants will be able to start the reflection through the given activities and discussions within the group of course participants and facilitators.
Target group:
Danish and international PhD Students working with practice-based research and design research.
More info: https://www.designskolenkolding.dk/en/courses-and-continuing-education/courses/playful-experiments-sensory-explorations-in-design-research