The aim of the course is to introduce students to the complexity of a product-service system project, through the exploration and understanding of the process leading from the "concept" to the actual product. Innovation Studio guides students in the development of a project idea in the form of a pre-series of products, which involves consideration of the entire production chain, related services and digital technologies, communication and interaction aspects, sustainability issues, social and market factors.

Students:
- know and understand the definition of product-service system and its design implications;
- know how to frame a problem, understand a design briefing and elaborate a counterbrief;
- know how to develop, individually and in groups, innovative projects sharing and communicating their design choices, working in team, developing aptitudes to negotiation, leadership and conflict management.

INNOVATION STUDIO aims to provide an experience that is as close as possible to the real design profession of today. To do this, the Lab encourages students to stretch their design knowledge and skills, to collaborate in multidisciplinary teams where each person acts as a fundamental component with specific technical capabilities and a personal cultural background.

INNOVATION STUDIO continues the work done in the previous years by proposing the topic “UNCERTAIN TIMES" exploring how, from a critical understanding of the present, we can conceive product-service system solutions that shape the future. This year the Lab will be focused on energy inequality, and the consequent need to rethink our ways of living and consuming for alleviating new forms of poverty and giving form to an inclusive society.

Access to energy allows people to live with adequate thermal conditions, light their environments, power appliances to cook, wash, communicate, learn and entertain themselves. Energy poor households experience insufficient levels of these energy services which affects their standard of living but also puts at risk their social inclusion. Energy poverty affects people who are most economically and socially vulnerable. Women-led households, for instance, appear to be more affected by energy poverty due to structural inequalities in income distribution, socioeconomic status and the gender care gap.

“Energy poverty occurs when energy bills represent a high percentage of consumers' income, affecting their capacity to cover other expenses. It can also occur when consumers are forced to reduce the energy consumption of their households, and consequently, this affects their physical health and well-being. Additionally, low household incomes, inefficient buildings and appliances, and specific household energy needs contribute to the challenge. It is estimated that over 34 million people in the European Union are experiencing energy poverty to various degrees, with the most vulnerable demographic groups being the most affected.” (European Commission Energy Poverty Advisory Hub)

The current geopolitical situation has led to a significant rise in the prices of fuel and energy and it is expected that this will worsen in the winter months. The situation can also be seen as an anticipation of future increases when actions to mitigate climate change may lead to a radical reappraisal of energy pricing. The issue of energy inequality will therefore be an ongoing challenge for years to come. As designers we have multiple ways of addressing this issue with services, artefacts that can ensure a just and inclusive transition to low or zero energy solutions.

Expected outcomes

INNOVATION STUDIO encourages students to develop a professional and holistic approach to Product Service System Design. It provides a methodology that integrates research, design and prototyping, project development and implementation.

On completing the studio students are expected to be able to:

• Research the contexts of use and verify potential customers’ demand.
• Work within open-ended frameworks, requiring self-reliance and risk-evaluation.
• Have a robustly iterative design development process that integrates analytical competencies, deployment of team skills, concept exploration, experimentation, advanced manufacture, communication and presentation.
• Understand the opportunities, principles and practice of new manufacturing technologies and related design disciplines.
• Assume responsibility for self-directed learning, time management, work rate, management of team skills and achievement of learning outcomes.

NOTES: PS1 and PS2 are twin courses. Lectures will be given to the two sections together. All exam sessions are joint as well as outdoor experiences

There are no pre-requisites for attendance.

Ongoing project review will be the basis of the final exam evaluation. There will be intermediate evaluations of the team work during the semester which will all contribute to the final evaluation.