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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Session 01 – 23.09.2019 – What is the Action? - 4.T08
This session is structured in three parts.
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Session 02 – 30.09.2019 – In Formation - 5.F02
First a brief look at the assignments, then through a look at the prefix "inter" that poses the condition for "interaction", we address current notions of intersectionality and queer.
We will travel through a series of cultural and political protests in order to frame a discussion on the possible roles and failings of the design discipline in light of social engagement.
Materials presented on Anti-Apartheid activism in South Africa, Aaron Swartz, drag culture, representation in pop culture.
Assignment for the following week: Find a manifesto or position in art, craft, technology or science that dates before 1920 and explain what makes it relevant for our time.
Session 03 – 07.10.2019 – Positioning in writing - 7.D04
We'll first look at the material you found, then spend the rest of the session writing about your own positioning.
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Session 04-07 – 10-11.10.2019 – Free Flow Retreat - see location in program
Detailed program is indicated in the Free Flow program (still in progress). This is 2-day deep dive into your research interests and ways to let them flow, in conversation with mentors.
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Session 08 – 11.11.2019 – Learning by DoingMaking Sense - 5.F02
In your studios and theory classes, you have encountered many research methods. In a group discussion, you'll come up with the many different ones and discuss how they have been relevant. Each group will present in class.
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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 HCI:
- 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.
Learning by doing:
- reading tbaTin, Mikkel B. 2013. "Manifesto: Making and the Sense it makes". In Studies in Material Thinking. Vol.9 Inside Making.
Assignment for the following week: do an 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). Publish in your blog and share on the server.
Session 09 – 18.11.19 – Playful ResearchResearch - 5.F02
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?
This class' readings are 3 examples of conducting, structuring and presenting research. Find 2 more examples.
We'll also review together the diploma thesis structure and look at some tools for research.
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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 for the following week: dream.
Session 10 – 25.11.2018 – How Far? - 5.H02
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?
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Session 11 – 02.12.2018 – Own ItIt - 3.E03
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.
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.
Session 12 – 09.12.2019 – Re-Positioning -Positioning 5.F02
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.
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