Spring 2023: March 18 - April 19.
Instructors:
Dr Joëlle Bitton
joelle.bitton@zhdk.ch
Nicole Foelsterl
nicole.foelsterl@zhdk.ch
Office hours by appointment
...
The studio course runs in parallel with the seminar course "Interaction Design Methods" and is a platform to apply ideas and concepts discussed in the seminar, therefore the two courses are actually an ensemble.
Projects are conducted in groups of 4 students.
Overview and Objectives
This course puts the students in the context of realising an interaction design outcome from initial idea to final proposal, with a particular emphasis on field research and user-experience.
In this interaction design process, students work through the several stages of project development: Context/User Inquiry, Concept Generation, Idea Testing, Prototype Development, Evaluation and Concept Iteration.
Following these stages of observation, creation, and evaluation, we will discuss and apply situated and user-centered methods (eg. bodystorming, context analysis, video scenarios, etc).
This course is project-based and will allow students to have a hands-on experience.
Organised in groups, students will develop innovative design concept for a product, a service or an experience.
Topic
...
Spring 2024: March 18 - April 19.
Instructors:
Dr Joëlle Bitton
joelle.bitton@zhdk.ch
Nicole Foelsterl
nicole.foelsterl@zhdk.ch
Office hours by appointment
The module takes place from March 18 - April 19, over 5 weeks, from Monday to Friday each week, 9.00-17.00 (On Monday mornings, the Method class takes place with transitions to the Process class, and Friday mornings are for your BA theory courses) - See detailed hours in calendar below (room info in Evento).
*Some sessions may take place via Zoom (although sessions happening both in Zoom and in presence at the same time will not be possible).
Class sessions include lectures, discussions, mentoring sessions, in-class exercises, home assignments and independent study blocks.
The studio course runs in parallel with the seminar course "Interaction Design Methods" and is a platform to apply ideas and concepts discussed in the seminar, therefore the two courses are actually an ensemble.
Projects are conducted in groups of 4 students.
Overview and Objectives
This course puts the students in the context of realising an interaction design outcome from initial idea to final proposal, with a particular emphasis on field research and user-experience.
In this interaction design process, students work through the several stages of project development: Context/User Inquiry, Concept Generation, Idea Testing, Prototype Development, Evaluation and Concept Iteration.
Following these stages of observation, creation, and evaluation, we will discuss and apply situated and user-centered methods (eg. bodystorming, context analysis, video scenarios, etc).
This course is project-based and will allow students to have a hands-on experience.
Organised in groups, students will develop innovative design concept for a product, a service or an experience.
Topic
The topic for this class addresses the typical design premise of interaction designers' wishes to have a societal impact. People-centered design is at the core of interaction design studies and human-computer interaction research. What does this premise actually mean? What are the limitations, frustrations, realities of designing on the ground? What if we should move away from a human-centric design to a non-human one? The class proposes to look at proposal of changes not in term of individual behaviours but addressing if systemic changes can happen from a design proposal.
We will also uncover the contradictions of a designer's responsibility, agency and idealisation. Events and conjunctures that are overwhelming and bleak, such as global warming, the collapse of ecosystems, wars, economic struggles, social injustices etc can make us feel powerless and make design proposals seem insignificant. Yet, in this dark context, we have the opportunity to re-value humour and gaiety as points of counterbalance and as design tools. Hence this year, we will take a special detour at ways that we can design with a sense of playfulness, absurdity and humour.
...
- Week 4: Stories and users
How is your work being evaluated?
Methods: forms of evaluation, from user-testing to narratives enacting scenarios - Week 5: Production
Independent study week: working on your production assignment and setting your own agenda
(Exceptional mentorings could be available during this week, although you are mostly on your own)
Finalising the project
...
- (Week 6: Polishing details/Final Documentation)
Mandatory Assignments
- Final Work
The final outcome of the class is a project proposal in the form of a is a working prototype, user-tested and represented to an external audience in the form of a film and/or a medium of your choice (installation, website, demo, etc...)and demoed/exhibited and presented in context in a short film. For this class, there will be an emphasis on the film narrative as a way to disseminate your proposal.
...
Throughout the module, various short home & in-class assignments will be given to practice concepts discussed in class.
- Group presentations
Interval group presentations each week present the advancement of the group's project and highlight the specific requirements of that week.
Each presentation are structured so that each group member will introduce an aspect of the project. On average, the presentation should be 5 minutes.
The format is open:
...
- Journal/Blog
A separate 'Journal' is developed by each student that reflects on learnings from the seminar. It should be in the form of an online blog (ie. WordPress, Tumblr or other):
- The journal should be structured in a generally comprehensible manner
- The lecture notes, including annotations, are stored
- Notes, sketches for each day should be included as well
Expectations and Grading
Grades will be based on group presentations, class participation, home assignments, documentation (journal) and final work.
Contributing to constructive group feedback is an essential aspect of class participation.
Regular attendance of 80% is required, whether in class or group work. Two or more unexcused absences will affect the final grade. Arriving late on more than one occasion will also affect the grade.
Final work & documentation 50%
Group presentations & mid-assignments 30%
Journal Documentation 20%
Any assignment that remains unfulfilled receives a failing grade.
Course Materials
The course IAD Design Methods provides the background literature for this class.
Additional readings can be provided as the class progresses.
Teams projects
Calendar
...
Week 1
Into the Wild!
...
Tuesday 19.3
...
Wednesday 20.3
...
Thursday 21.3
Morning
(starts at 9.00 otherwise noted)
...
- Input
Ethnographic study
(nf)
Field Research
...
Afternoon
(starts at 13.00 otherwise noted)
...
- Conduct your first field observation
...
Week 2
Idea Transfers
...
Monday 25.3
...
Tuesday 26.3
...
Wednesday 27.3
...
Thursday 28.3
...
Morning
...
- Exercise: Very rapid prototyping
(jb)
- Group Presentations:
mock-ups
(jb)
Field Research & Desk-based Research
(Related work,
References)
Field Research & Desk-based Research
(Related work,
References)
...
Afternoon
- Input: Cultural Probes and Exercise
(jb)
Field Research & Desk-based Research
...
- 13:00: Input "Narrowing Down" (nf) in room 3K13
- 13:45: Mentorings per Group (30 Min.)
...
Week 3
Play
...
Monday 1.4
...
Tuesday 2.4
...
Wednesday 3.4
...
Thursday 4.4
...
Morning
...
holiday
...
- 13.30
Mentoring/Discussion
(30mn/group)
(jb)
...
- Mentoring (online)
Brief check-in / Present prototypes
(20mn/group)
(jb)
...
Independent Study
- Renting Equipment (see Email by Nicole for permission)
...
Afternoon
...
14.00
- Group presentations on location:
Prototypes demoes in situation
(jb, nf)
...
Week 4
Stories and Users
...
Monday 8.4
...
Tuesday 9.4
...
Wednesday 10.4
...
Thursday 11.4
...
Morning
...
Independent Study
...
Independent Study
...
Afternoon
- Exercise: Storyboards
Independent Study
...
13:00-15:00 in 6.F01.
Mentoring Storyboard (nf)
Please set the chronological order for the groups (30.Min./group)
...
- Group presentations:
Narratives showcasing prototypes in action & plan for the production week
(nf, jb)
...
Week 5
Production 1
...
Monday 15.04
...
Tuesday 16.4
...
Wednesday 17.4
...
Thursday 18.4
...
3F18 Reservation photo studio 3F18 in consultation with course service design. See email from Nicole from 11.04
Production Week
...
Production Week
...
10 - 12: Mentoring:
Editing (nf)
...
- Final Group presentations
- Feedback session
(jb, nf)
...
Week 6
Production 2
...
Monday 2.5
...
Tuesday 3.5
...
Wednesday 4.5
...
Thursday 5.5
...
Morning
...
- Group presentations:
Back from the production week:
concise recount of what was made & achieved during the week
(jb)
Independent Study
...
Afternoon
...
given to practice concepts discussed in class.
- Group presentations
Interval group presentations/check-ins each week present the advancement of the group's project and highlight the specific requirements of that week. For some presentations, all the class attends and for 'check-ins', the session is with each group (see calendar below for details).
Each presentation are structured so that each group member will introduce an aspect of the project (all group members are required to attend). On average, the presentation should be 5-7 minutes.
The format is open:
- Live sketching
- Demo with prototyping
- Classic Slides presentation
- etc.
- Week 2 Check-ins requirements:
Name of group/project
Knowledge Inquiry
5 related works
Lessons learned from the field / probes
Where do you want to go
How do you get there (identify roles, needs, actions)
Prototype 1.0 - Week 5 First cut of video
Delivered by Tuesday 16.4 morning on server
- Journal/Blog
A separate 'Journal' is developed by each student that reflects on learnings from the seminar. It should be in the form of an online blog (ie. WordPress, Tumblr or other):
- The journal should be structured in a generally comprehensible manner
- The lecture notes, including annotations, are stored
- Notes, sketches for each day should be included as well
Expectations and Grading
Grades will be based on group presentations, class participation, home assignments, documentation (journal) and final work.
Contributing to constructive group feedback is an essential aspect of class participation.
Regular attendance of 80% is required in all contact sessions. Two or more unexcused absences will affect the final grade. Arriving late on more than one occasion will also affect the grade.
Final work & documentation 50%
Group presentations & mid-assignments 30%
Journal Documentation 20%
Any mandatory assignment (see above) that remains unfulfilled, the student receives a failing grade.
Course Materials
The course IAD Design Methods provides the background literature for this class.
Additional readings can be provided as the class progresses.
Teams projects
Team Guru
Team Bias
Team Ecosystem
Team Sensory Experience
Calendar
Week 1 | Monday 18.3 | Tuesday 19.3 | Wednesday 20.3 | Thursday 21.3 | Friday 22.3 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Morning (starts at 9.00 otherwise noted) |
| Field Research | Field Research | Field Research | |
Afternoon |
| 14.00
| 14.00
|
| |
Week 2 | Monday 25.3 | Tuesday 26.3 | Wednesday 27.3 | Thursday 28.3 | Friday 29.3 |
Morning |
| Field Research & Desk-based Research | Field Research & Desk-based Research | Field Research & Desk-based Research | holiday |
Afternoon |
Field Research & Desk-based Research | START: 13:00
| Field Research & Desk-based Research | Check-in by groups: Advanced concept: Related Work/Inspirations, Further field research, Directions and Prototype 1.0 (jb) | |
Week 3 | Monday 1.4 | Tuesday 2.4 | Wednesday 3.4 | Thursday 4.4 | Friday 5.4 |
Morning | holiday |
| Independent Study | Independent Study atelier walk-thru (jb) (time tbd) | |
Afternoon |
| Demoes on location (all groups together): | |||
Week 4 | Monday 8.4 | Tuesday 9.4 | Wednesday 10.4 | Thursday 11.4 | Friday 12.4 |
Morning |
| Independent Study | Independent Study | Independent Study | |
Afternoon |
| 14:00 - 17:00 Mentoring Storyboard (nf) | 14.00 Check-In by groups: Video showcase: | ||
Week 5 | Monday 15.04 | Tuesday 16.4 | Wednesday 17.4 | Thursday 18.4 | Friday 19.4 |
|
| Production | Production Editing Mentoring: (nf) 10:15 - 10:45: Safe Space 10:45 - 11:15: Eco Systems 11:15 - 11:45: BAS 11:45 - 12:15: Guru | ||
| Production | *Booking photo studio Deadline |
| |||
JB: Dr. Joëlle Bitton, NF: Nicole Foesterl
...