To design is to contribute to meaningful changes in the everyday life. Design research at Malmö university, therefore, takes as its point of departure an approach to design of innovative practice in a societal and cultural context.

Design research at the School of Arts and Communication, K3, addresses a broad range of theoretical, critical, and practical questions from a range of perspectives, such as:

  • sustainable design
  • experimental prototyping
  • game design
  • collaborative learning
  • physical computing
  • norm creativity

Together with users and external stakeholders, we develop a responsible, sensitive design research approach that takes issues of ethics and sustainability seriously, while also being technologically advanced and materially experimental.

Interaction design

With interaction design as the main focus, K3 researchers play prominent roles in the international shaping of the discipline, not least when developing research on and through co-design and participatory design practices.

An important approach has been the setting up of “living labs” experimentally addressing local issues and carrying out research together with different actors throughout the city of Malmö and beyond.

Future-oriented profile

A typical starting point is an expanded idea of design as 'agency' rather than 'product oriented', including the broader socio-material context of meaning and future-making. Advanced design research across disciplines is indispensable today, not the least to enhance the understanding of design as the formation of functional or desirable artefacts and care services.

Conceptually and methodologically exploratory are geared toward the grand challenges of today. Design research at K3 is therefore primarily carried out within transdisciplinary research platforms, research programmes, and research centres. 

Our research is positioned at the international forefront and has attracted attention for its transdisciplinary, participatory and critically future-oriented profile.

Researchers, publications and projects

Total hits: 36

Doctoral studies in Interaction Design

Malmö University offers doctoral studies in Interaction Design.

Interaction Design is a subject within the design sciences that explores how designed systems, processes, artefacts can shape our world. This programme cultivates both practical and theoretical expertise, with an emphasis on integrating design practices with critical reflection.

Contact for doctoral studies in Interaction Design: Tina Askanius

More about doctoral studies at Malmö University