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. creativity 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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Literature Review / Related Work mapping 40%
Research exercises 20%Background Research (grade and % is part of diploma work)
Any assignment that remains unfulfilled receives a failing grade.
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- Readings & documents where indicated (various dates)
- Present a non-Western position project pre-1899 (02.10.23)
- 1-page observation essay/visuals (14.10.23)
- Present books (17.10.23)
- Dream (04.12.23)
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- Compile at least 10 related works - define the criteria from them that matter and make a visualisation where you situate your own interest.
Following your statement, and with your choice of visual representation/metaphor, design a data visualisation showcasing where your project is situated among existing projects and references that address similar questions.
Related projects can include design and art projects, literature, movies, initiatives, etc.
Each project cited should be credited with author(s), year, country and should be commented for its relevance to your topic.
Final Diploma assignment (15.12.23)grade and % is part of diploma work) (06.01.25)
- Background Research chapter: Version 1 includes literature review, related works, early field encounters, positioning
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Session 01 – 23.09.24 – What is the Action? -
Presenting the syllabus & assignments & arc of the course.
Writing exercises based on reflections by students from the last two years of studies and how they consider what a contribution is, as they head towards their thesis semesterfinal year of BA study.
Assignments for the following week:
- Find 1 non-Western project that is itself a form of manifesto or position in art, craft, technology or science that dates before 1899 and in class next week, explain what makes it inspiring to you, how it sets a certain defining moment and how it is relevant for our time Share images/doc/short text on Miro board by the following Monday 9.00.
Session 02 – 30.09.24 – In Formation - 4K16On Zoom
We'll first look at the material you found,
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Assignments for the following week:
- Describe topic choice in 2 structured paragraph with initial research questions and describe in particular what is creative about your approach approach
- Plan tandem choice
- Readings
Session 03 – 07.10.24 – Making & Making Sense - on Zoom
Briefly 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.
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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.
Look at examples of research & design in HCICreative Research:
- Zimmermann J., Forlizzi J. 2014. "Research Through Design in HCI" in J.S. Olson and W.A. Kellogg (eds.), Ways of Knowing in HCI, Springer Science+Business Media, New York.Kara, Helen. 2020. Creative Research Methods. A Practical Guide. Bristol University Press.
Learning by doing:
- Tin, Mikkel B. 2013. "Manifesto: Making and the Sense it makes". In Studies in Material Thinking. Vol.9 Inside Making.
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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 Pick a thesis from past BA students (available at IAD office or on the server).
Bring those 4 items with you to the free flow retreat retreat and present them.
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Guest Intervention: Naomi Bulliard, UAL.
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Centre for Sustainable Fashion, London College of Fashion, UAL
Naomi's Bio
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Assignment for the following week:
- tba
- Review past BA thesis students
Session 10 – 18.11.24 – Own 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?
In a parallel note, a thesis work has to stand the grounds of an academic endeavour while bringing a creative and unique contribution.
What is truly unique about your contribution?
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.
Assignments 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 10 11 – 1824.11.24 – Collective feedback
Discussion of statements and feedback to your peers. You take over the session.
Readings:
This class' readings are 3 examples of conducting, structuring and presenting creative research.
Last weekIn a past session, 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?
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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 Assignments for the following week:
- Review past BA thesis students
- Browse Readings
Session 11 – 25.11.24 – Own 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?
In a parallel note, a thesis work has to stand the grounds of an academic endeavour while bringing a creative and unique contribution.
What is truly unique about your contribution?
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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:
-watch the Importance of Self-Delusion.
- Dream.
Session 12 – 09.12.24 – How far?
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During class, share your ultimate dream.
How far can you go: watch the Importance of Self-Delusion.
Have a look at the "Center for Political Beauty" https://www.politicalbeauty.de, and how this center develops innovative forms of political activism to provoke, rise awareness and to preserve humanitarianism.
In a loop back to where we started, we'll end this class with a look at impact and contribution, particularly in relation to current societal matters.
How will your topic has shaped itself in the past few months? See where you started and where you're going.
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06 06.01.25 - 09.00 - Final Assignment: deadline***Background research chapter deadline
- Background Research chapter: Version 1 includes literature review, related works, early field encounters, positioning
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