Fall 2025
Lecturer: Dr Roman Kirschner
roman.kirschner@zhdk.ch
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ABSTRACT
This seminar proposes to investigate the aesthetics of interaction design by connecting theory and practice. Students will learn how to contextualise their practical projects within current discourses and reflect on how their design practice may transform their theoretical assumptions and knowledge. The students will examine relevant readings and concepts both through discussions and through their practical work. The theory seminar is connected with two studio courses, Soft Architecture and Interactive Visualisation.
The seminar will explore the aesthetics of interaction including topics such as ecological design, performative experimentation, public interventions, spatial and political design, speculative design, bio design, data literacy, surveillance capitalism and AI. We will address these aesthetics from the perspective of their origins, cultural contexts and case studies.
COURSE OUTLINE
The class usually takes place on Mondays, from 15.00-16.45, (with exceptions during the parallel seminar Soft Architecture!). Classes 4-11 take place on Zoom. In each session 2-3 students will give a presentation: based on readings. The presentations are followed by a discussion and/or an in-class assignment. At the end of the course an exam will be held.
EXPECTATIONS AND GRADING
Grades will be based on the oral and written presentations, on class participation and on the final exam. Contributing to constructive group feedback is an essential aspect of class participation. Regular attendance is required.
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Readings for each session are made available on PAUL.
Additional readings can be proposed to underline a particular aspect and should be considered.
CALENDAR overview
Class 1 - 15.09. - Introduction (4.T08)
Class 2 - 1615.09. - Spaces and Atmospheres (4.T08)
Class 3 - 24.09. - Bodies and Ideals in Interaction Design (4.T08)
Class 4 - 02.10. - Material and Environmental Dynamics (4.T08)
(break: week of Soft Architecture end presentation)
Class 5 - 13.10. - Anthropocene
Class 6 - 20.10. - Wavescapes
(break)
Class 7 - 27.10.11. - Services and Infrastructure
(break: week of AI & Robotics end presentation)
Class 8 - 1710.11. - Introduction to data and data literacy
Class 9 - 2417.11. - Generative Artificial Intelligence
Class 10 - 0124.1211. - Data, Democracy and Surveillance Capitalism
Class 11 - 0801.12. - Exam
DESCRIPTION of the TOPICS and texts of the individual CLASSES
Class 1 - 15.9. - Introduction (4.T08)
Introduction to the course, explanation and organisation of tasks/dates
Class 2 - 1615.09. - Spaces and Atmospheres(4.T08)
Böhme, Gernot (20002017). "Leibliche Anwesenheit im RaumWhat is the space of bodily presence?". In Ästhetik und Kommunikation 108. 67-76. (ENGLISH VERSION???)Atmospheric Architectures: The Aesthetics of Felt Spaces. 86-95.
in class reading and discussion
Class 3 - 24.09. - Bodies and Ideals in Interaction Design (4.T08)
Readings:
a) Hartmann, Klemmer, Takayama (2006). "How Bodies Matter: Five Themes for Interaction Design". In DIS 2006.
b) Höök, Kristina and Löwgren, Jonas (2020). "Characterizing Interaction Design by its Ideals: A Discipline in Transition." In She Ji: The Journal of Design, Economics, and Innovation. 7(1): 24-40.
presented by ???
Class 4 - 02.10. - Material and Environmental Dynamics (4.T08)
Readings:
a) Pickering, Andrew (2013). "Being in an environment: a performative perspective". Natures Sciences Sociétés 21: 77-83.
b) Ingold, Tim. (2008). "Bringing Things to Life. Creative Entanglements in a World of Materials".
presented by ???
Class 5 - 13.10. - Anthropocene
Readings:
a)
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Boes,
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Tobias (
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2014). "Beyond Whole Earth: Planetary
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Mediation and the
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Anthropocene".
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Environmental Humanities (2014) 5 (1): 155–170.
b) Internet and Energy:
I) Gombiner, Joel (2011). "Carbon Footprinting the Internet.“ In Consilience: The Journal of Sustainable Development. 5: 119-124.
II) Andreu, Javier F. et al. (2022). "Big data on a dead planet. The digital transition's neglected environmental impacts."
(ATLAS of AI - Environment?)
presented by ???
Class 6 - 20.10. - Wavescapes
Readings:
a) Hosokawa, Shuhei (1984). "The Walkman Effect". In Popular Music. 4. Performers and Audiences. 165-180.
b)
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Helmreich, Stefan (2007) “An Anthropologist Underwater: Immersive Soundscapes, Submarine Cyborgs, and Transductive Ethnography”. In American Ethnologist, Vol. 34, No. 4. 621-641.
presented by ???
Class 7 - 27.10.11. - Services and Infrastructure
Readings:
a) Starosielski, Nicole (2012). "Warning: Do Not Dig: Negotiating the Visibility of Critical Infrastructures." Journal of Visual Culture. 11(1): 38–57.
b)
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Bria,
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Francesca (
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2015).
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“EuroStack – A European Alternative for Digital Sovereignty”. Bertelsmann Stiftung. 20-41. (choose and introduce 3 points from section 2 as well)
presented by ???
Class 8 - 1710.11. - Introduction to data and data literacy
Readings:
a) Economist (2017). "The world’s most valuable resource is no longer oil, but data". The Economist: New York, NY, USA.
b) Barrowman, Nick (2018). "Why data is never raw". The New Atlantis, Summer/Fall edition: 129-135.
presented by ???
Class 9 - 2417.11. - Generative Artificial Intelligence
Readings:
a) Russell, Stuart and Nerving Peter. "Artificial Intelligence: A Modern Approach", 4th ed. Extract from Introduction and conclusion. (covered by 2 students: create discussion!)
b) Tristan Harris and Aza Raskin of the Institute of Humane Technology: "The AI dilemma". Youtube video of lecture in San Francisco on March 9th, 2023. (create discussion!)
presented by ???
Class 10 - 0124.1211. - Data, Democracy and Surveillance Capitalism
Readings:
a) Zuboff, Shoshana (2015) "Big other: surveillance capitalism and the prospects of an information civilization". Journal of Information Technology 30: 75–8975–89.
b) Ryser, Daniel and Sprenger, Ramona (2023) "Do not feed the google", news report in 10 parts on republik.ch (covered by 2 students - 2 parts of your choice each: create discussion!)
presented by ???
Class 11 - 0801.12. - Exam