TEXAS TECH UNIVERSITY COLLEGE OF ARCHITECTURE
ARCH 5302 Product Design Workshop
College of Architecture Homepage

Urs Peter "Upe" Flueckiger Professor, Dipl. Arch. SIA

Syllabus Spring 2020

Meets T/T 9:30AM- 12:20Noon         511A/CoA Fabrication Shops/Virtual Zoom Meetings

Cedar Wood Sphere

COURSE STRUCTURE

The students will be introduced to 20th and 21st century design methods and processes of product design and industrial design.

The course instructor is will be lecturing on the Work of Charles and Ray Eames and the design of modernism. Key features will be to study the work of Charles and Ray Eames, and the blurring between industrial and architecture design. Our architecture wood shop at this time is limited to traditional wood and metal working tools. While we are lucky to have such a shop the instructor sees the need to focus in one segment of this course on researching/presenting a contemporary design product from the nineties upwards. As in architecture design, industrial product design, the process of design and fabrication is radically changing because of the digital design and productions process.

While we are testing ideas and prototypical designs in the woodshop, let us focus on the history/design process of successful contemporary design in our discussions and presentations by the instructor.

This semester we will develop a design for grouping three classical sculptures in the CoA and Art Courtyard as part of a collaborative project to position these classical bronze casts in a thoughtful way.

An external jury comprised by the Dean and Chair of the CoA and the Director of the School of Art will judge your proposals.

EDUCATIONAL OBJECTIVES
The purpose and goals is to get the students to "design thinking, design making"

To understand learn, design objects of different materials.
To learn about sustainable materials.

To test and use materials in a tectonic manner.

To learn basic wood and metal joining skills.

To design and fabricate a prototypical object within a limited budget.

To learn and understand strengths and weaknesses of an individual material and how it relates to a greater extend in architecture

 

ASSIGNMENTS:
Exercise One
Project 01
Project 02 - Collaborative Courtyard Project
Writing Assignement

All assignments are due at the specific time and period given by the course instructor. Assignments submitted late without prior knowledge of the instructor will receive an F. Late assignments will only be accepted with prior written permission from your instructor, or, in the case of an emergency, telephone permission followed by a written statement, or with proper documentation as required by current University policy. However any late submission will have a drop of at least one letter grade or more.

GRADES
Final grades will be calculated according to the following schedule:
Exercise One 20%
Project One 40%
Courtyard Sculpture - Collaborative Project 10%
Prototypical Design Project 10%
Writing Assignment 10%
Discussion/Participation, and Preparation 10%
TOTAL 100%

PROJECT GRADING
Grading is a certification that the student has clearly demonstrated a level of expertise as required in each design project or exercise.

"A" indicates that the level of expertise is superior (excellent work.)

"B" indicates the project task or problem is clearly resolved but lacks in-depth study or resolution in one or two areas.

"C" indicates the level of work is satisfactory; perhaps somewhat mediocre.

"D" indicates the level of expertise is minimal and weak. (This is a passing grade for the University; however, a minimum grade of "C" is required to proceed to the next design level.)

"F" grade indicates a failure to respond adequately

Plus and minus marks may be used to indicate higher and lower ratings in each grade division for the purposes of averaging progress reports and final grades. A student who has shown her or his clear successful improvement throughout the semester may be given the advantage in the case of borderline final grade averages.

GRADE EQUIVALENCES

ACCOMMODATIONS
ADA Syllabus Statement
Any student who, because of a disability, may require special arrangements in order to meet the course requirements should contact the instructor as soon as possible to make any necessary arrangements. Students should present appropriate verification from Student Disability Services during the instructor's office hours. Please note instructors are not allowed to provide classroom accommodations to a student until appropriate verification from Student Disability Services has been provided. For additional information, you may contact the Student Disability Services office in 335 West Hall.

CLASS CULTURE POLICY

April 1, 2009

3.5 CLASS CULTURE
The school is expected to demonstrate a positive and respectful learning environment through the encouragement of the fundamental values of optimism, respect, sharing, engagement, and innovation between and among the members of its faculty, student body, administration, and staff. The school should encourage students and faculty to appreciate these values as guiding principles of professional conduct throughout their careers.

The APR must demonstrate that the school has adopted a written studio culture policy with a plan for its implementation and maintenance and provide evidence of abiding by that policy. The plan should specifically address issues of time management on the part of both the faculty and students.

From the NAAB Conditions for Accreditation for

Professional Degree Programs in Architecture, 2004 Edition

FUNDAMENTAL VALUES
Optimism -- ensuring an expectation for a sustainable, healthy and better built environment and world

Respect -- ensuring compliance with the TTU Statement of Ethical Principles which states that the University is "committed to the recognition of differences between individuals, the inherent dignity of all individuals, and the elimination of discrimination", we encourage an environment of mutual respect between and among our faculty, students, and staff, and a tolerant attitude for each individual's work, intellectual diversity, methods, and differences, and recognition of the values of both theory and practice. Critical comments about another faculty's teaching pedagogy and assignments are not appropriate in the presence of students. Respect includes discretion when discussing other faculty members, especially with students.

Sharing -- encouraging a sharing and questioning of ideas and knowledge through a collaborative and interdisciplinary environment between and among our students and faculty

Engagement -- ensuring a commitment to and eager participation in the studio environment

Innovation -- promoting innovative teaching and learning methods which enhance critical thinking and design skills within a studio setting

To maintain these values each of us must have a clear understanding of our shared responsibilities.

STUDIO/SHOP ETIQUETTE
Faculty and students should maintain an environment that is clean, quiet, and conducive to working individually and in teams, to listening to the instructor and to other students, and to mutual respect.

TIME MANAGEMENT
The college supports its students, staff and faculty in leading balanced lives. Students are expected to work intelligently and efficiently, though not necessarily longer, in the studio. The college discourages staying up all night as counterproductive and unhealthy. Time management is included as a learning outcome in the freshmen introductory course "Design, Environment and Society" and the enhancing of this skill should be encouraged throughout all studio coursework.

LEARNING ASSESSEMENT
Learning outcomes, policies and assessment methods should be clearly stated in every syllabus. Students are urged to work with faculty to judge when work is substantially complete. Students are entitled to assessment and feedback throughout the semester as this is an integral part of the studio environment. Faculty members have the responsibility and the right to provide criticism and assessment of each student's work and, as such, it is not a violation of studio culture to do so.

REVIEWS
Critique is an inherent part of the assessment process in design education. Desk/Shop critiques on the object designed and pin-ups are the most common forms of review. All shop/studio participants are encouraged to exchange ideas, opinions and experiences in a collegial manner.

Formal reviews in a public setting are fundamental to architecture education. This is a unique opportunity for students to communicate ideas through oral and visual presentations. Participation of students, academic faculty, professionals, and community members is expected in public design reviews.

Internal and external design reviews are held at the completion of each semester by the faculty for the benefit of reviewing the program. Students may or may not be required to be present during this review process.

DOCUMENTATION
Documentation of the work completed by the students during the semester is important for the student, the faculty and the college. Printed presentations are necessary and required for end-of-semester reviews in the COA and may be included in student portfolios. Digital documentation is a significant way to archive student work and portfolios. Faculty may require both forms of documentation as a part of any design studio.

ADMINISTRATIVE REVIEW OF THE POLICY
Studio Culture is one section of the College of Architecture Policy Manual. As such it is subject to review every three years by a task force of faculty and students appointed by the dean.

ACADEMIC INTEGRITY
It is the aim of the faculty of Texas Tech University to foster a spirit of complete honesty and a high standard of integrity. The attempt of students to present as their own any work that they have not honestly performed is regarded by the faculty and administration as a serious offense and renders the offenders liable to serious consequences, possibly suspension.
The instructor in a course is responsible for initiating action for dishonesty or plagiarism that occurs in his or her class. In cases of convincing evidence of or admitted academic dishonesty or plagiarism, an instructor should take appropriate action. Before taking such action, however, the instructor should attempt to discuss the matter with the student. If cheating is suspected on a final exam, the instructor should not submit a grade until a reasonable attempt can be made to contact the student, preferably within one month after the end of the semester. See the section on "Academic Conduct" in the Code of Student Conduct for details of this policy.

"Scholastic dishonesty" includes, but is not limited to, cheating, plagiarism, collusion, falsifying academic records, misrepresenting facts, and any act designed to give unfair academic advantage to the student (such as, but not limited to, submission of essentially the same written assignment for two courses without the prior permission of the instructor) or the attempt to commit such an act.

"Cheating" includes, but is not limited to, the following:

Copying from another student's test paper.
Using materials during a test that have not been authorized by the person giving the test.
Failing to comply with instructions given by the person administering the test.
Possessing materials during a test that are not authorized by the person giving the test, such as class notes or specifically designed "crib notes." The presence of textbooks constitutes a violation only if they have been specifically prohibited by the person administering the test.
Using, buying, stealing, transporting, or soliciting in whole or part the contents of an un-administered test, test key, homework solution, or computer program.
Collaborating with or seeking aid or receiving assistance from another student or individual during a test or in conjunction with an assignment without authority.
Discussing the contents of an examination with another student who will take the examination.
Divulging the contents of an examination, for the purpose of preserving questions for use by another, when the instructor has designated that the examination is not to be removed from the examination room or not to be returned to or kept by the student.
Substituting for another person, or permitting another person to substitute for oneself to take a course, a test, or any course-related assignment.
Paying or offering money or other valuable thing to, or coercing another person to obtain an un-administered test, test key, homework solution, or computer program, or information about an un-administered test, test key, homework solution, or computer program.
Falsifying research data, laboratory reports, and/or other academic work offered for credit.
Taking, keeping, misplacing, or damaging the property of the university, or of another, if the student knows or reasonably should know that an unfair academic advantage would be gained by such conduct.
"Plagiarism" includes, but is not limited to, the appropriation of, buying, receiving as a gift, or obtaining by any means material that is attributable in whole or in part to another source, including words, ideas, illustrations, structure, computer code, other expression and media, and presenting that material as one's own academic work being offered for credit. Any student who fails to give credit for quotations or for an essentially identical expression of material taken from books, encyclopedias, magazines, Internet documents, reference works or from the themes, reports, or other writings of a fellow student is guilty of plagiarism.

Collusion" includes, but is not limited to, the unauthorized collaboration with another person in preparing academic assignments offered for credit or collaboration with another person to commit a violation of any section of the rules on scholastic dishonesty.

Falsifying academic records; includes, but is not limited to, altering or assisting in the altering of any official record of the university, and/or submitting false information or omitting requested information that is required for or related to any academic record of the university. Academic records include, but are not limited to, applications for admission, the awarding of a degree, grade reports, test papers, registration materials, grade change forms, and reporting forms used by the Office of the Registrar. A former student who engages in such conduct is subject to a bar against readmission, revocation of a degree, and withdrawal of a diploma.

Misrepresenting facts to the university or an agent of the university includes, but is not limited to, providing false grades or resumes; providing false or misleading information in an effort to receive a postponement or an extension on a test, quiz, or other assignment for the purpose of obtaining an academic or financial benefit for oneself or another individual; or providing false or misleading information in an effort to injure another student academically or financially.

As per College and University policy, plagiarism may result in an "F" grade for the semester.

COURSE POLICIES
Office hours are for your benefit. If you have questions regarding assignments or any other concerns about the class please feel free to schedule a meeting during your instructor's office hours.

All assignments are due at the beginning of class on the day specified on the attached class schedule. Assignments submitted late without prior knowledge of the instructor, GA/SA will receive an F. Late assignments will only be accepted with prior written permission from your Graduate/Undergraduate Assistant, or, in the case of an emergency, telephone permission followed by a written statement, or with proper documentation as required by current University policy. However, any late submission grade will be reduced by at least one letter grade as a penalty for being late.

EYE PROTECTION
Per OP60.10 in the TTU Operations Manual, all architecture students must use eye protection (goggles) when using Xacto knives or other sharp objects. In addition, these must be disposed of in appropriate containers clearly marked as containing "sharps ". See the following for more information: http://www.depts.ttu.edu/opmanual/OP60.10.pdf

ATTENDANCE POLICY
ARCH 5302 meets Tuesdays and Thursdays, 8:00-10:50PM, in the Architecture Woodshop if not otherwise announced. The college supports the definition of four absences as being excessive and constitutes cause for having the student drop the class or receive a grade of F. You, the student, must bear the responsibility for keeping track of your own attendance. Absence policies are described on page 50-51 of the University Catalog.

Students in the college are expected to attend all scheduled class meeting times and activities (lectures & lab/studio sessions). Absences in excess of those stipulated in each individual course syllabus will result in an F. Refer to the university's policy, procedures, and dates on dropping a course. See your academic advisor for additional information.

Absence due to officially approved trips: The Texas Tech University Catalog states that the person responsible for a student missing class due to a trip should notify the instructor of the departure and return schedule in advance of the trip. The student may not be penalized and is responsible for the material missed.

Department chairpersons, directors, or others responsible for a student representing the university on officially approved trips should notify the student's instructors of the departure and return schedules in advance of the trip. The instructor so notified must not penalize the student, although the student is responsible for material missed. Students absent because of university business must be given the same privileges as other students (e.g., if other students are given the choice of dropping one of four tests, then students with excused absences must be given the same privilege).

CLASSROOM CIVILITY
Students are expected to assist in maintaining a classroom environment that is conducive to learning. In order to assure that all students have the opportunity to gain from time spent in class, unless otherwise approved by the instructor, students are prohibited from engaging in any form of distraction. Inappropriate behavior in the classroom shall result, minimally, in a request to leave class. Students whose behavior is in conflict with maintaining an environment conducive to learning during a lecture class or discussion section will be asked to leave the classroom. Re-admittance is at the instructor "s discretion.

REQUIERD READINGS
Crawford, Matthew B. "Shop Class as Soulcraft: An Inquiry into the Value of Work" Penguin Press 2009
Carpo, Mario. "Nonstandard Morality: Digital Technology and its Discontents" Architecture Between Spectacle and Use. Clark Studies in the Visual Arts. Ed. Vidler Anthony

PRINT RESOURCES
The College of Architecture has very good printing resources. See: http://arch.ttu.edu/wiki/Print Bureau However there are about 800 architecture students enrolled and all of them typically have some printing to do. So plan ahead. especially during midterm and at the end of the semester check out printing hours and don't wait until last minute to print your work.

SHOP USE
During time of the semester you will most likely use the ARCHITECTURE SHOP in room 03 on the courtyard level of the College of Architecture Building. Prior to entering the shop, it is mandatory that you:

Read the TTU-College of Architecture-Shop Rules on the Web.

Bring the signed release form to Mike West in room 05 of the Architecture Building (AH) and obtain from here a sticker on your current student I.D. card

TOBACCO AND AEROSOL USE
Smoking or other uses of tobacco, the use of spray paint or aerosol products of any kind are not permitted anywhere in the Architecture Building. There is a designated smoking area outside in the courtyard near the bridge. The stairwells are not to be used for smoking or painting.

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY AND ACCESS TO FACILITIES
"The University is committed to the principle that in no aspect of its programs shall there be differences in the treatment of persons because of race, creed, national origin, age, sex, or disability, and that equal opportunity and access to facilities shall be available to all. If you require special accommodations in order to participate, please contact the instructor. Students should present appropriate verification from Student Disability Services Office, 335 West Hall Telephone:  806 742-2405 FREE  . No requirement exists that accommodations be made prior to completion of this approved University process."