Design research

 

The scope of the Department of Design also includes the elaboration of design and media theory issues and the review of cultural, ethical, and semiotic research.

Design research pursues the goal of collecting and expanding knowledge about topics relevant to design, in order to then make this knowledge available both within the framework of instruction to students, as well as to companies and institutions that approach the university with corresponding questions.

In the following fields we offer services in the area of research, development of solution scenarios, prototyping and impact research:

 

Design Theory

In order to be able to carry out investigations on concrete examples, a corresponding documentation archive will be established

On the basis of individual examples, those parameters can be defined, in close cooperation with companies and institutions, whose knowledge appears to be decisive for the development of communicative contexts.

On the basis of such a catalog of questions, corresponding solution models can be developed. Theoretical work is purposefully oriented to current, practical topics within the framework of the research area of the FH Vorarlberg.

 

Transition Design

Can basic principles of professional design work be transferred to other areas of innovation?

We accompany innovation processes in companies and institutions to question and optimize guiding ideas, goals and processes.

In doing so, not only visual, acoustic, spatial, tactile or olfactory elements, but also economic, social, cultural or ethical issues can be thematized.

The goal of such processes is the joint development of solution-oriented approaches, suitable models, integrated tools and appropriate guidelines.

 

Prototyping

Concepts only have an impact if they can be implemented.

In the diverse laboratories, new ideas can be tested directly in practice. The joint practical work is also suitable for exploring new options for action, for example using interactive models (Internet of Things).

With the available tools, both analog and digital prototypes can be developed at the current state of the art in Engineering and Technology.

What cannot be realized physically with the available resources can be tested via simulation techniques in virtual space, on the web or in an app.

Projects