Playful Experiments: Sensory Explorations in Design Research

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.

Learning outcomes
Based on the course the PhD fellow is expected to be able to:

Knowledge

• describe core concepts of conducting research through design
• identify and select sources of literature relevant to the individual PhD research
• discuss arguments and relations in and between course literature

Skills

• evaluate research outcome of a small-scale sensory experiment
• document and visualize sensory research insights for further analysis

Competencies

• evaluate and define methodologies relevant to the individual PhD research
• Utilize playful approaches to sensory explorations within research through design

Target group
Danish and international PhD Students working with practice-based research and design research.

Key details

• Preparation
  • Readings (to be decided)
  • A position paper connecting individual PhD research to the course theme and literature (deadline for submission April 7, 2025. Please send to Christina Stind Rosendahl csr@dskd.dk)

• Startup, Talks, and Workshop Activities: April 22-23, 2025
• Writing/Reflection Day: April 24, 2025 (No scheduled classes, access to classroom/workspace)
• Shared Reflections and Wrap-Up: April 25, 2025