INTERACTION DESIGN THEORY SEMINAR 5th semester
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"Sweet Dreams are Made of This" proposes to dive into the very essence of interaction design agency, ahead of the thesis semester. How does a design project emerges from a particular interest? Should it have an impact? And at what scale? Through a variety of references, we'll address notions of dreams, contribution, position and ownership, especially as they relate to contemporary societal questions. We usually consider that a novel contribution to knowledge has to be read about, dreamed about in a visionary sense, used and related to, through hands on testing, iterations and prototyping at various stages, explored orally and visually, and discussed by peers and tutors. The course is structured around materials discussions showcasing social engagement, activism and aesthetic movements, various assignments such as fictional dream-like scenarios and practical workshop formats.
This course is also a guided exercise in your autonomy to look for relevant references and to integrate them as part of your research endeavour. You should start early with topics of interest for your diploma work, even it is expected that they might evolve or even change completely. In that sense, even if your topic changes, the questions & methods that will be addressed in this class will be valid throughout your diploma work. Different than previous theory classes, with mostly discussions based on readings, this class is a continuous assignment-based exploration of your research engagement. It is required that you follow through and ride the wave.
COURSE OUTLINE
12 sessions structured around the notions of engagement, positioning, research and ownership.
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What responsibilities do you have?
In a first class exercise, you will write about your own positioning.
Assignments for the following week:
- Describe topic choice in 2 structured paragraph with initial research questions
- Plan tandem choice
- Readings
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Present Topic choice & tandem.
In an in-class exercise, in groups of 2 or 3 - discuss your research interest and get feedback about your research questions (what are your assumptions, the possible stereotypes&clichés, what could be the challenges, the opportunities, what angle would be most compelling to address, etc). Identify which research method can help your check your assumptions, based on the methods you encountered in your studios and theory classes and invent a new research method.
Each group will present.
We'll review together the final assignment guidelines and the diploma thesis structure.
Readings:
Be familiar with some research terminology:
- Mackenzie, N.,Knipe, S. 2006. "Research Dilemmas: Paradigms, methods and methodology". Issues in Education Research, 16 (2), 193 – 205.
In brief, qualitative research:
- 'An Introduction to Qualitative Research' prepared by Christina Hughes, Department of Sociology, University of Warwick.
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Assignment in advance for the free flow seminar:
Bring 2 books that inspire you for your topic in a large or detailed scope.
+ 1 serendipitous book, Go to the library - either ZHdK or a library of your choice. Browse the aisles -except the design section - without looking for something in particular. Open books that attract you from title, cover, look...
Bring a thesis from past BA students (available at ZHdK or IAD office or server).
Bring those 3 books with you to the free flow retreat retreat and present them.
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Session 08 – 14.11.22 – Joyful Research I So far in this process, you should have gained a large collection of ideas and examples. How do you relate to them?
How will you investigate your research questions in a creative and playful way?
This class' readings are 3 examples of conducting, structuring and presenting creative research. Find 2 more examples.
We'll review together the final assignment guidelines and the diploma thesis structure and look at some tools for research.Research
Guest Lecture: Sadhna Jain
Assignment for the following week:
- Read your peers statements of intent and think of at least 1 question or suggestion or remark to share with your peer.
- Browse Readings
Session 09 – 21.11.22 – Joyful Research II & Collective feedback
Discussion of statements So far in this process, and feedback to your peers.
Readings:
This class' readings are 3 examples of conducting, structuring and presenting creative research.
Last week, we approached elements of joyful research and you should have gained a large collection of ideas and examples. How do you relate to them?
How will you investigate your research questions in a creative and playful way?
This class' readings are 3 examples of conducting, structuring and presenting creative research. Find 2 more examples.
We'll review together the final assignment guidelines and the diploma thesis structure and look at some tools for research.
How far can you go: watch the Importance of Self-Delusion.
Readings:
Gaver, W., Dunne A, Pacenti E. 1999. "The Presence Project", in RCA, Journal Interactions, Volume 6, Issue 1, Jan./Feb. 1999.
Jarvis, N., Cameron, D., Boucher, A. 2012. Attention To Detail: Annotations of a design process. pp. 11-20.
Gaver, W. 2011. "Making spaces: How design workbooks work" in Proceedings of CHI 2011, Vancouver.
Assignment for the following week:
- Review past BA thesis students
- Dream. Browse Readings
Session 10 – 28.11.2022 – How Far?
Dream it bigger and create an ongoing dialog between what is and what might be. Which aspects could be extended? How could you add something? Make it smaller: What could you leave out? Which aspects could be reduced? How far can you go? What is your ambition? What should you be aware of in terms of responsibility? Do you want the largest audience? Do you want media coverage? Who is your audience?
During class, share your ultimate dream.
We will also discuss each statement of intent and get collective feedback.
How far do you expect the research to go?Session 11 – 05.12.2022 – Own It it
Going back to the theme of responsibility, we've discussed in past classes the various roles of a designer and entanglements with modes of production and consumption.
Look for instance at the commodity of cotton and its commerce, can your dream be transformed into a nightmare?
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Exercise-in-class: list where your thesis work is not changing anything.
Exercise-in-class: looking at former IAD students' BA thesis
Readings (Browse through):
Eco, U. 2015. How to Write a Thesis. MIT Press. 1st ed. 1977.
Koskinen, I., Zimmerman, J., Binder, T., Redström, J., & Wensveen, S. 2011. Design research through practice: From lab, field, and showroom. San Francisco, CA: Morgan Kaufmann.
Assignment for the following week:
- Dream.
Session 11 – 05.12.2022 – How far?
Dream it bigger and create an ongoing dialog between what is and what might be. Which aspects could be extended? How could you add something? Make it smaller: What could you leave out? Which aspects could be reduced? How far can you go? What is your ambition? What should you be aware of in terms of responsibility? Do you want the largest audience? Do you want media coverage? Who is your audience?
During class, share your ultimate dream.
How far can you go: watch the Importance of Self-Delusion.
We will also discuss each statement of intent and get collective feedback.
How far do you expect the research to go?
***Final Assignment: deadline 09.12.22 - NO extension!***
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