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 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 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.
EXPECTATIONS AND GRADING
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Any assignment that remains unfulfilled receives a failing grade.
ASSIGNMENTS
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ASSIGNMENTS - deliver on the server
In-class assignments
- Readings & documents where indicated (various dates)
- Present a non-Western project pre-1899 / Post on Miro board (0230.1009.2324)
- 1-page observation essay/visuals (14.10.2324)
- Present books (17.10.2324)
- Dream (0402.12.2324)
Mid-semester assignments (11.11.24)
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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.
+ Diploma assignment (grade and % is part of diploma work) (06.01.25)
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Session 01 – 23.09.24 – What is the Action? - 5.H01
Presenting the syllabus & assignments & arc of the course.
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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 .(include pic, authors, date, source, link + your name)
Session 02 – 30.09.24 – In Formation - On Zoom
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Session 03 – 07.10.24 – Making & Making Sense - 5.H01
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.
In brief, qualitative research:- 'An Introduction to Qualitative Research' prepared by Christina Hughes, Department of Sociology, University of Warwick.
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.
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Session 04 - 14.10.24 - What is the Action? - Part Two - 45.K16H01
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 final next assignment guidelines and the diploma thesis structure.
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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 09 – 11– 11.11.24 – Joyful and Creative Research Research - On Zoom
Guest Intervention: Naomi Bulliard, Centre for Sustainable Fashion, London College of Fashion, UAL
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:
- Read your peers statements of intent and think of at least 1 question or suggestion or remark to share with your peer.
- tbaSession 10 – 18.11.24 – Collective feedback - On Zoom
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 10 11 – 1825.11.24 – Own it it - On Zoom
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 .and where it could make it even worse
Exercise-in-class: looking at former IAD students' BA thesisReadings (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 Assignment 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 watch the Importance of Self-Delusion.
- Browse Readings
Session 11 – 24.11.24 – Collective feedback
Discussion of statements and feedback to your peers. You take over the session.
Dream
- Readings:
This class' readings are 3 2 examples of conducting, structuring and presenting creative research.
In 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?
Gaver, W., Dunne A, Pacenti E. 1999. "The Presence Project", in RCA, Journal Interactions, Volume 6, Issue 1, Jan./Feb. 1999.
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.
Assignments for the following week:
- watch the Importance of Self-Delusion.
- Dream.
Session 12 – 09K. Song & E. Paulos. 2021. Unmaking: Enabling and Celebrating the Creative Material of Failure, Destruction, Decay, and Deformation. CHI 2021
Session 12 – 02.12.24 – How far? - On Zoom
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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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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06.01.25 - 09.00 -Background research chapter deadline
- Background Research chapter: Version 1 includes literature review, related works, early field encounters, positioning
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