Design is a skill best learned through actual experience and reflection on that experience. Also, we will introduce interaction design methods like metaphors, scenarios, task-analysis, sketch prototyping, and testing. As a comprehensive record of your design thinking and a medium of reflection, you will create and maintain an idea log throughout the quarter. Observation and testing with real users are the best ways to inform and refine your designs. We intend to build your observation and testing skills by doing some in every project.
Projects are the core of the course.
P1 Human Error is a short assignment intended to start you looking around for design opportunities. P2 Smart Stuff is a two-week group project to create a skit that demonstrates crazy, futuristic hardware and software. P3 Age of Discovery is an individual design and implementation of an interactive explanation. Creativity is one focus of the course. We will also look to your Log as evidence of your engagement with the challenges of the course.