5 February 2009

Dundee design students to access global software expertise

Students on a unique design course at the University of Dundee will link in to one of the world’s biggest business software solutions companies next week through a `webinar’ connecting them to Silicon Valley in the USA.

The MSc in Design Ethnography at Dundee is the first specialised course of its type in the world. Design Ethnography investigates exactly what it is that users want from new products and how they make best use of them. Design ethnographers have worked on the design of hotel interiors, new financial services, mobile phones, packaging, and software from SAP business solutions to video games.

The course has attracted support from major international companies and on Monday February 9th students will conduct the webinar with Daniela Busse, Director of User Research for global software company SAP.

'Design issues are now a worldwide concern as globalisation spreads products around the world, so we have to be truly international in our reach,' said course director Catriona Macaulay.

'Events like this allow our students to access the experience of world-leading companies like SAP, who are one of the biggest providers of business software worldwide. This event will allow the students to discuss the latest thinking in design and user research straight from the Silicon Valley heartland of software development. They will also help us as we attempt to develop ways to make this approach to design research more accessible to Scottish industry.'

The MSc in Design Ethnography is a collaboration between the Schools of Design and Computing at the University, and follows the University’s groundbreaking undergraduate course in Interactive Media Design.

The webinar will be carried out using Adobe’s Connect Pro software.

NOTES TO EDITORS
The MSc in Design Ethnography was launched in 2008 to fill a need for specialised training in a growing area of industry - many major companies employ people in design ethnography.

Students on the course study alongside design and engineering students - giving them real insight into the needs and demands of consumers.

Students interested in enrolling on the course can get more information at the course website at: www.computing.dundee.ac.uk/mde/page/welcome.html.

For media enquiries contact:
Roddy Isles
Head, Press Office
University of Dundee
Nethergate Dundee, DD1 4HN
TEL: 01382 384910
E-MAIL: r.isles@dundee.ac.uk