Product/Service Architecture and Platforms

Overview of product architectures and platforms and their possible applications to different design challenges.

This course introduces the concept of product architecture and platforms to explore their possible applications to different types of products from different viewpoints. Product architecture is the physical and conceptual structure that integrates product components and subsystems into a coherent mechanism to perform intended behavior and functions. It also reflects rationale and intention of the design such as functions, methods of use, methods of maintenance, and manufacturing. Traditionally, product architecture is implicitly addressed as a part of a core design concept. As the complexity of products increases, the concept of product architecture becomes a critical instrument for systematically bridging various requirements to design solutions.

Learning Objectives

This course introduces the concept of product architecture and platform to explore their possible applications to different types of products from different viewpoints and further expands the concept to systems, services and business from human-centered viewpoints.

Learning Outcomes

At the completion of this course students will be able to:

• Describe the strengths and weaknesses of a design solution from a platform perspective
• Apply theories and approaches to emerging designs to make them stronger and more impactful

Format & Grading

Case studies will be conducted to investigate and discuss ways of implementing the concept with real products. A final project will attempt to develop different product architectures and platforms based on different concerns and viewpoints.

Enrollment Restrictions

No prerequisites. This course is open to all Institute of Design students.