INTERACTION DESIGN THEORY SEMINAR 5th semester
...
Class sessions take place each Monday Mondays from 15.00-17.00. See calendar for details.
...
"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.
...
In-class assignments - deliver on the server
- Readings where indicated (various dates)
- Present a position pre-1900
- Present books
- (10.10.22)
- 1-page observation essay (10.10.22)
- Present books (20.10.22)
- Dream (05.12.22)
Mid-semester assignments (14.11.22)
Statement of Intent for the BA thesis.
- 2-page essay describing your field of interest, motivation, choice of research method and intended contribution.
See detailed guidelines
Literature Review
- Compile a detailed literature review of at least 8 essays/book chapters (no web articles or blog posts) that help you advance your research and unpack your topic. Each essay cited should be credited with author(s), year, country, institution and should be commented for its relevance to your topic. Write half a page introduction to your literature review.
...
- 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.
Final assignment (09.12.22)
Background research chapter
...
We'll first look at the material you found (observation & manifesto),
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 Possible materials presented on : Anti-Apartheid activism in South Africa, Aaron Swartz, drag culture, representation in pop culture.
What responsibilities do you have?
In a class exercise, you will write about your own positioning.
Assignments for the following week:
- Describe topic choice in 2 structured paragraph with initial research questions
- Plan tandem choice
- Readings
...
Present Topic choice & tandem.
In a first exercise, you will write about your own positioning.In a second exercise, 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) and identify . 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.
We'll review together the final assignment guidelines and the diploma thesis structure.
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.
...
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...
Bring those 3 books a thesis from past BA students (available at ZHdK library or IAD office or server).
Bring those 4 items with you to the free flow retreat retreat and present them.
...
Assignment for 14.11.2022: 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 8 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
...
Session 08 – 14.11.22 – Joyful Research I 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 in a creative and playful way?
This class' readings are 3 examples of conducting, structuring and presenting creative research. Find 2 more examples.
We'll review together the final assignment guidelines and the diploma thesis structure and look at some tools for research.Research
Guest Intervention: Sadhna Jain, Camberwell College of Arts, UAL.
I am the Course Leader of the MA Graphic Design Communications Course, Camberwell College at University of the Arts, London. My educational and professional background is in Screen Arts, Interaction Design and Communication Design. Current research attends to the physio-geographies from the many human and living systems perspectives and the need to re-imagine complex ecologies and practices within this.
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.
- Browse Readings
Session 09 – 21.11.22 – Joyful Research II & Collective feedback
Discussion of statements So far in this process, and feedback to your peers.
Readings:
This class' readings are 3 examples of conducting, structuring and presenting creative research.
Last week, 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?
This class' readings are 3 examples of conducting, structuring and presenting creative research. Find 2 more examples.
We'll review together the final assignment guidelines and the diploma thesis structure and look at some tools for research.How far can you go: watch the Importance of Self-Delusion.
Readings:
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.
Assignment for the following week:
- Dream. Write half a page and upload on server.
Session 10 – 28.11.2022 – How Far?
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?
During class, share your ultimate dream.
We will also discuss each statement of intent and get collective feedback.
How far do you expect the research to go?Session 11 – 05.12.2022 – Own It Review past BA thesis students
- Browse Readings
Session 10 – 28.11.2022 – Own it
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?
...
Exercise-in-class: list where your thesis work is not changing anything.
Exercise-in-class: looking at former IAD students' BA thesis
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.
Assignment for the following week:
- Dream.
Session 11 – 05.12.2022 – How far?
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?
During class, share your ultimate dream.
How far can you go: watch the Importance of Self-Delusion.
How far do you expect the research to go?
***12.12.22 - 10.00AM - Final Assignment: deadline 09.12.22 - NO extension!***
- Background Research chapter
...