IN5530/IN9530 will not be held Autumn 2026.
IN5530 – Research Through Design
Course description
Course content
In this course, you learn about Research through Design, an approach that is gaining traction in Human-Computer Interaction. As the name implies, the aim is to design a digital artifact, a service or a system that helps you answer a research question, understand a certain research domain better, or study the use of the designed prototype. While the methodology remains the same, different research and application areas are used every year. This implies a theme change for practical explorations. Some examples of course focus in the past are: machine learning in HCI, sustainable design in HCI, wearable technology, technology and dance.
Learning outcome
Through this course you will
- learn to differentiate between simple and complex design contexts and how to set contextual boundaries for your work
- understand "design practice", "design studies" and "design experimentation" and be able to fluidly combine them in your work
- determine concepts that ground and support your work
- reflect and articulate (reflect in action, reflect on action and communicate what you learned from these reflections)
- synthesize ideas, or aspects of different prototypes, and make improved design suggestions that do not introduce new problems within the chosen context
Admission to the course
Students admitted at UiO must apply for courses in Studentweb. Students enrolled in other Master's Degree Programmes can, on application, be admitted to the course if this is cleared by their own study programme.
Nordic citizens and applicants residing in the Nordic countries may apply to take this course as a single course student.
If you are not already enrolled as a student at UiO, please see our information about admission requirements and procedures for international applicants.
Min 6 and max 10 students are required for the course to run. The students will be prioritized as followed:
- Master students at the Department of Informatics with IN5530 or IN9530 on their approved study plan.
- Master students at the Department of Informatics who have taken Human-Computer Interaction courses IN2020 and IN3010, or their equivalent.
- Other qualified students
Recommended previous knowledge
Overlapping courses
- 10 credits overlap with IN9530 – Forskning gjennom design.
- 10 credits overlap with INF5591 – Advancements in interaction design (continued).
- 10 credits overlap with INF9591 – Advancements in interaction design (continued).
Teaching
This is a studio-based, 5-weeks intensive course, implying 40 hours work load during those weeks. The attendance is required for min 80% of time
Examination
The exam is oral, takes place on the last day of the course and consists of exhibiting the design work and providing theoretical reflections on it.
It will also be counted as one of your three attempts to sit the exam for this course, if you sit the exam for one of the following courses: IN9530 - Research Through Design, INF5591 - Advancements in interaction design (continued), INF9591 - Advancements in interaction design (continued)
Examination support material
No examination support material is allowed.
Language of examination
You may write your examination paper in Norwegian, Swedish, Danish or English.
Grading scale
Grades are awarded on a pass/fail scale. Read more about the grading system.
More about examinations at UiO
- Use of sources and citations
- How to use AI as a student
- Special exam arrangements due to individual needs
- Withdrawal from an exam
- Illness at exams / postponed exams
- Explanation of grades and appeals
- Resitting an exam
- Cheating/attempted cheating
You will find further guides and resources at the web page on examinations at UiO.
Last updated from FS (Felles studentsystem)
Oct. 14, 2026 11:21:25 PM