designing experience with physical objects
(Product Design Basics)
In this course, we will explore how the choices of form and material affect our senses and interactions. Perceptual approaches to design consider form as something that affords a sensory-motor experience. We combine such approaches with traditional product design methods such as sketching of object's geometrical form and constructing physical prototypes. We use simple materials such as paper to explore the potential of the three-dimensional forms. You will learn how to study and to design physical objects so that they trigger a sensory experience.
Room: Seminarraum ZT 5.K01
The goal of this exercise is to study an object through tactile experience it enables. The challenge is to sketch the sensory experience as it emerges: to put the sensations into words and into drawings. Students work in couples. One of the students is blindfolded. He or she is given an object to be explored through senses other than vision. Without saying the name of the object, the blindfolded person describes the sensations (soft, curved, warm, loud etc) caused through manipulation of the artifact. The person who listens tried to put these words into sketches.
Using front and side views, sections, axonometric projection and/or prospective, the students technically represent an object.
Students sketch the use of the object in a functional way. The human body or its parts (hand or foot) have to be represented. The result should be a drawn user manual.
Students invent stories of the use and misuse of the object. The temporal aspect of the story comes into play - How does one represent cause-effect loops, emotional states etc.
Gather three materials that offer interesting / unusual visual or haptic qualities. Use the given template to describe the materials objective and subjective properties.
This exercise is an exploration of patterns, scale and repetition. It is composed of three steps:
1. From a flat paper create a form by cutting, folding, waving and/or gluing it.
2. Using a repetition of the same element create a pattern or a new object
3. Scale the same element into different sizes and connect them to create a new object
Build 3 objects out of foam cubes [10x10x10cm]. Each must invite one of the following actions through form:
… spin me
… leave ma alone
… shake me
… stretch me
… complete me
… inhale me
… break me
Create a concept for an interactive lamp. Adapt interactions and/or affordances from other contexts. One way of achieving that, can be by giving existing objects a new function (ready mades),
Build an experience prototype.
In addition to attendance and active contribution for the duration of the course, students are assessed based on the following deliverables at the end of the course:
Exercise "light as matter":
presentation of the concept and prototype
The final prototype / mock-up
Under "Project Documentation" you'll find guidelines for naming of folders and files.
As you are working in teams make sure that the presentation of "light as matter" is in your personal folders.
Friday 14th of October at 13:00 || Seminarraum ZT 5.K01
Time per presentation: max. 10min & 5min discussion
Structure:
- Discover (research, inspiration ) // 2-4 slides
- Design (initial idea, prozess, iterations,…) 2-4 slides
- Deliver (final concept) // 4 slides
The process and outcome of the following exercises
Over all
commitment
progress / improvement
Exercises
Documentation
For positive grading, a minimum attendance 80% is required.