Critical Making: Uncovering Biases, Rapid Prototyping, and Designing for Engagement

What it is about

You work interdisciplinarily on how technical products and innovations absorb and reproduce unconscious biases. You will learn critical theories of technology and design and apply them in a team project: from research to Arduino and rapid prototyping to dissemination of your results.

What you will be able to do

• apply critical thinking to research and development processes
• utilize user-oriented innovation methods and iterative work
• operate basic physical programming and rapid-prototyping tools (e.g., Arduino, Raspberry Pi, 3D printing, CNC)
• make informed design decisions and communicate them
• visually and audience-appropriately illustrate technological distortions
• maintain a critical perspective on bias in R&D processes
• collaborate in multidisciplinary teams and apply project management basics

What the module consists of

• SeminarTheoretical foundations, discussion of case studies and preparation of the project work
• Projektarbeit / HackathonPractical implementation: development and construction of a critical artifact in a team using makerspace resources
• Workshops / Hands-on-SessionsIntroduction to Arduino, microcontrollers and rapid-prototyping techniques
• Peer- and Expertensessions (hybrid)Exchange with Fraunhofer experts and TU Berlin students for complementing and reflecting

Teaching method

• projektbasiertes LernenKnowledge is reinforced through direct application in a real project
• Input + DiskussionTexts, lectures and case studies provide the theoretical foundation
• Hands-on-PrototypingRapidly turning ideas into physical artifacts to explore design decisions and bias
• Peer-Learning und Expertengespräche (hybrid)Interdisciplinary collaboration and professional support expand perspectives