Section of Industrial Design

The main research focus of the Industrial Design Section is on the early phases of innovation using a systematic, methodological and integrated design process to create new products and solutions. Integrated design is the integration of design, engineering and business aspects into a synthesised proposal.

This includes research in design theories, models and methods for creating a shared point of departure and development process for work of cross-disciplinary teams. The process from the search phase until synthesis of a conceptual proposal, with an outset in wicked, ill-defined problems, challenges and opportunities within product and service development is the emphasis of our research and teaching. The Design Driven approach is used to attack a variety of challenges; ranging from concrete idea and product development, process and project management to strategy and business development. Both research and teaching activities are conducted in collaboration with companies and external organisations to ensure the relevance and validity of projects and knowledge creation. Our perspective on design is holistic with a focus on design as being a meaning making activity. Products and solutions are perceived and made sense of by the users and customer and are part of the business strategy and brand of companies. Thus, we apply a user and context-oriented approach to both research and teaching.

CHRISTIAN TOLLESTRUP

Head of Section cht@create.aau.dk

RESEARCH GROUP

Design Driven Innovation

The research group work with design as an approach to solve complex and strategic challenges. We explore for instance how expert design team shape the strategy of large organizations by creating product designs, that provide examples of how the company can renew itself, implement digital technologies or become more sustainable.

Our research is in particular interesting to Innovation managers in large organizations facing strategic and ambiguous challenges. For example to find ways to enter new markets where they do not know the rules or ways to differentiate in markets where competitor are starting to catch up. Our research is also interesting to Small and medium sized companies, who are looking for a way to compete against new types of products and services with a better fit to the markets demands or are struggling to find a way to approach: digitalization or sustainability.

WEB:

www.create.aau.dk/research/design-driven-innovation

PROJECT DESCRIPTION:

Today many products are designed to have a lifespan of just 1-3 years. This means that each day we throw products away thatcost precious materials and resources to produce. This way of developing and throwing away products is not compatible with the 12th UN global of ensuring sustainable consumption and production patterns.

The aim of the project is to give small and medium sized companies insight into what it would mean for their company, if they were to extend the lifetime of their products. Both for the design of the products and its position on the market, the company’s ability to compete and its business model etc.

PROJECT, INDUSTRIAL DESIGN

DESIGNED TO LAST

PROJECT PERIOD:

January 2020 – December 2022.

PARTICIPANTS:

Louise Møller Haase / Linda Nhu Laursen / Peter Byrial Jensen

FUNDING:

Sparnord Fonden, 1.9 Mio DKK

CONTACT PERSON:

Associate Professor Louise Møller Haase e-mail: louise@create.aau.dk