INTERACTION DESIGN THEORY SEMINAR 5th semester
...
"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 proposing that you follow through and ride the wave, with joy.
COURSE OUTLINE
12 sessions structured around the notions of engagement, positioning, creative research and ownership.
...
Readings are made available in the shared IAD server
CALENDAR
Session 01 – 2215.09.25 – What is the Action? - 5.H01
Presenting the syllabus & assignments & arc of the course.
action oriented - observation in-situ (meet in town)
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 final year of BA study.and
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 writing statement of research
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
- Plan tandem choice
- Readings
Assignments for the following week:
Do a short observation of a situation that you want to tackle, and if applicable meet and interview the people involved. Present the results in a short essay with visuals (max. 1-2 pages). Share on the server by the following Monday 9.00 (include pic, authors, date, source, link + your name).
Session 02 – 2922.09.25 – In Formation Positioning - embodiment - On Zoom
Presenting the syllabus & assignments & arc of the course.
We'll first look at the material you found,
...
In a class exercise, you will write about your own positioning.
Assignments Assignment 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
- Plan tandem choice
- Readings
Session 03 – 20.10.25 – Free Flow
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.
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.
Creative Research:
- Kara, Helen. 2020. Creative Research Methods. A Practical Guide. Bristol University Press. Chapter 1 "Introducing Creative Research", pp 26-45.
Learning by doing:
- Tin, Mikkel B. 2013. "Manifesto: Making and the Sense it makes". In Studies in Material Thinking. Vol.9 Inside Making.
Assignments for the following week:
Do a short observation of a situation that you want to tackle, and if applicable meet and interview the people involved. Present the results in a short essay with visuals (max. 1-2 pages). Share on the server by the following Monday 9.00.Read your peers statements of intent and think of at least 1 question or suggestion or remark to share with your peer.
Assignments for the following week:
- Review past BA thesis students
- Reading:
James Pierce. 2012. Undesigning Technology: Considering the negation of design by design. CHI 2012.
Session 03 – 29.09.25 – In Formation - On Zoom
Discussion of statements and feedback to your peers. You take over the session.
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...
Pick a thesis from past BA students (available on the server).
Bring those 4 items with you to the free flow retreat retreat and present them.
Session 04 - 27.10.25 - Embodied Interaction & Sensing
In groups of 2 or 3, find a way to create "an actionable moment" based on a piece of information you receive (I will distribute it) and rapid prototype it during class.
We'll review together the next assignment guidelines and the diploma thesis structure.Assignment for 1120.1110.2425: Develop your research interest into a statement of intent (see questions) and compile a detailed literature review of 8 essays (no web articles or blog posts) that help you advance your research and unpack your topic. The goal is to narrow down your topic from a big overview to 2-3 possible angles - make one paragraph introduction to your literature review. Additionally, find 10 related projects, define the criteria from them that matter and make a visualisation where you situate your own interest. This should keep being developed until the final assignment which is an extension and update of this work. Share on the server.
- Statement of Intent for the BA thesis.
- Literature Review
- Related Work Visualisation with annotations
...
Detailed program is indicated in the Free Flow program. This is a 2-day deep dive into your research interests and ways to let them flow, in conversation with mentors.
Session 07 – 10.11.25 – From theory to Embodiment & Choreography
...
Naomi's Bio
...
The ReModelling Futures Method is a framework that enables transformation design for sustainability at the very core of the creative process. Using speculative scenario building, it supports codesign of products, services, and systems that demonstrate value using more than economic or short term parameters for decision-making.
Assignment for the following week:
...
Session 08 – 17.11.25 – Making sense by making
Discussion of statements and feedback to your peers. You take over the session.
Assignments for the following week:
- Review past BA thesis students
- Reading:
James Pierce. 2012. Undesigning Technology: Considering the negation of design by design. CHI 2012.
Session 09 & 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.
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.
Creative Research:
- Kara, Helen. 2020. Creative Research Methods. A Practical Guide. Bristol University Press. Chapter 1 "Introducing Creative Research", pp 26-45.
Learning by doing:
- Tin, Mikkel B. 2013. "Manifesto: Making and the Sense it makes". In Studies in Material Thinking. Vol.9 Inside Making.
Free Flow - 20-21.10.25
Session 04 - 27.10.25 - Embodied Interaction & Sensing *lecture / examples / sensors
In groups of 2 or 3, find a way to create "an actionable moment" based on a piece of information you receive (I will distribute it) and rapid prototype it during class.
We'll review together the next assignment guidelines and the diploma thesis structure.
Session 05&06– 3.11.25 – From theory to Embodiment & Choreography - embodying theory
Examples
Exercise: distribution of topics / applying them
Sessions 7 10.11.25 – Data Matters - on Zoom *method
Examples + showing Methods
Exercise
Assignments
Session 08 & 09 – 17.11.25 – Ecosystems - Interactions - Being in multispecies world - decentering
Students present
Session 10 – 24.11.25 – How far
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?
...