Lecturers:
Dr. Joëlle Bitton
Prof. Jürgen Späth
Mag. Dipl. Des. Nicole Foelsterl
Office hours by appointment
(1) Overview and Objectives
The BA concept seminar is considered as a way to quickly prototype and showcase the thesis project in a video narrative. Students will develop a conceptual and practical exploration for their final BA thesis and present the experience they aim to create in the form of a 3-page project description, a prototype/mock-up showing the core aspects of the interactive experience they are aiming to create and a video showcasing the prototype in use. A blog documenting the 2-weeks progress is recommended.
The concept seminar addresses notions in preparation for their final thesis work:
- what does it mean to make a statement and a contribution to the field of interaction design?
- how to identify the design, social and experiential opportunities within the topic of interest?
- how to define a space of potential design explorations?
- how to narrow down the topic following own personal positioning, approach and interests?
- how to present the desired embodied experience that the BA thesis should engender?
The 2 weeks are divided into two parts: an investigative week with quick exercises, iterations, field studies and achieving a first initial prototype and a second week where they continue the process and summarise their BA idea and related experience in a video.
See below for a detailed calendar.
Grades will be based on class participation and final works.
Contributing to constructive group feedback is an essential aspect of class participation.
Regular attendance of 80% is required. Two or more unexcused absences will affect the final grade. Arriving late on more than one occasion will also affect the grade.
Storytelling (video) 30%
Mock up 30%
Project Description 20%
Exercises & Class participation 20%
Any assignment that remains unfulfilled receives a failing grade.
The experience you want to create should be presented in a video format with a narrative, showcasing prototype and user's journey (go into the field if needed for your project).
The mock up or prototype is the manifestation of your ideas into a service, a product, a method, a user's experience, etc - use basic or advanced materials to showcase your ideas in the shape of a rapid prototype (go into the field if needed for your project). It should be "functional" so we can experience it when exhibited.
This 2-3-page text should answer the following questions - since December how did it evolve?
The essay expands the thesis disposition with observations and conclusions drawn from the two weeks BA concept seminar.
You may use a diversity of sources and bibliography (classified by genre: book, book chapter, journal article, conference article, academic thesis, newspaper article, web article, etc).
Mockup to be presented on 10.1.
Choice of mentor teams to be sent to Johannes via email by Monday 13.1, 17:00.
Storytelling to be presented on 17.1.
Final Deliverables to be uploaded on the server by Monday 20.1 at 9:00.
See description of exercises below
| Week 1 | Monday 6.1 | Tuesday 7.1 | Wednesday 8.1 | Thursday 9.1 | Friday 10.1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Morning 9.00 - 12.30 (unless otherwise noted) | 9.00 Brief Introduction about the module and quick keywords round 9.45 Exercise 1: 20 ways of description in 20 minutes 10.15 Start Exercise 2: Topic Mapping 11.00-12.30 Present Exercise 1+2: | 9.00 Quick Overview: observations
11.00-12.30 First round "design exploration area" | Develop prototype
| Mentoring (js) | Develop prototype |
| Afternoon 13.30 - 17.00 | Exercise 3: field study/observations/interviews - put notes on Miro board by 18.00 | Continue exercise 4 + start developing prototype - put notes on Miro board by 18.00 | Develop prototype | 13.00 (jb, js) | |
| Week 2 | Monday 13.1 | Tuesday 14.1 | Wednesday 15.1 | Thursday 16.1 | Friday 17.1 |
| Morning 9.00 - 12.00 | Input/workshop - storytelling send choice of mentoring team by 17:00 | Develop narrative | Develop narrative | Mentoring on request (jb) Develop narrative | Presentations 2: |
| Afternoon 13.00 - 17.00 | Mentoring storytelling (on Zoom) (jb, js, nf) | Mentoring on request (js) Develop narrative | Develop narrative | Work on final assignments |
Exercise 1: 20 ways of description
Write down and/or sketch out twenty ways to define your thesis project on post its and later sort them into categories. Define two or three most important statements.
Exercise 2: Topic mapping
Define the all the qualities, parameters and values that are important for your thesis and your ambition as a designer. Find the most relevant existing projects that match your criteria (it could be a particular aspect of a project). Use sketches, photos or collages to present projects on your wall. This mapping will continue & evolve throughout the seminar.
Exercise 3: Observation / Field inquiry
Find out through a quick observation and field inquiry some elements that could inspire the directions you take. *It could also be in the form of bodystorming, auto-ethnography, role playing... Post photos & findings on Miro Board.
Exercise 4: Design Exploration Area (50 Sketches of design)
Identify the two or three most important dimensions of your topic mapping. This will be your "design exploration area": showcase what aspects you consider relevant to explore further and how you consider applying your criteria to your design process & outcome. How do you envisage to go from abstract ideas/wishes to actual outcomes: in terms of opportunities, executing concepts, exhibition, findings....? Sketch quickly 50 ideas to populate your design area. Place them on your design area in relation to criteria and parameters (sketches, photos or collages).
Exercise 5: Develop 2-3 "How might we" - Questions
Develop two to three "How might we" - Questions!