Zürcher Hochschule der Künste | Seminar | HS 2018 |
24.09.18: Discussion (led by Joëlle Bitton)
Reflections from last years, what have students done so far
Students personal stand point/role/contribution, what contribution they would like to have next?
Show examples and discussion
01.10.18: Contribution and the meaning of a thesis work (led by Joëlle Bitton)
Articulating theory and practice, the specificity of Interaction Design, production of knowledge through prototyping, writing and desk-based research.
What are the values of a BA thesis?
08.10.18: Positions and Rhethoric I (led by Björn Franke)
Speakers’ Corner at Hyde Park in London is a forum for public speeches and exchange of meanings and positions to motivate and convince the public via stories and arguments. In Design, positions are often represented through manifests, texts, but also through conceptual, fictional and programmatic artefacts, which serve to convince the public from the particular Designer`s point of view. In this first block, we engage with positions, manifestos and processes in Design, as well as forms of presentation and rhetoric’s, to inspire to find one`s own position and voice as a designer.
18.10.18: Positions and Rhethoric II (led by Björn Franke)
23.10.18: Positions and Rhethoric III (led by Björn Franke)
29.10.18: Ownership (led by Björn Franke)
05.11.18: Introduction to paradigm, methodology and methods (led by Verena Ziegler)
While problem/solution may underlie practical design activity, question/answer relationships underlie design research (Poggenpohl, 2000: 150). The question will frame the research that sets the stage for the answer (ibid: 145). It directs the structure of a research project. Your position and what you intend to research will influence the selection of the research framework or paradigm. In this block, we will discuss the relationship between paradigm – methodoloy – method in research, because methodological decisions are influenced by the theoretical lenses employed by the researcher. In the introductory first phase, an overview of the heterogeneous field of design research and different “knowledge landscapes” within the field will be given. Students should be enabled to have confidence and position their own research framework, but also to develop a greater relational understanding of different methodological approaches.
12.11.18: Workshop I – from research topic to research angle to research question (led by Verena Ziegler)
First of all, we will define a topic together in the class. In this workshop we will use a concept map to make a list of key terms associated with your research topic, these can be key concepts, contextual and process-oriented terms. From there we move on from research topic to developing a research angle. In an iterative process, we will use insights from personal experience , theory , observations , contemporary issues , engagement with the literature, dialogue, … to clarify the focus of your research. From developing a research angle, we will move on to develop several research questions in an iterative process of question formation that is informed by reading and doing at all stages. Your question (s) will change and be refined as you project develops, which is all part of the process, but will help you to clarify your research direction.
19.11.18: Workshop II – from reality to fiction …(led by Verena Ziegler)
The second part of the workshop takes your research topic from reality to fiction. When we have gone through this process, you will have gained a big collection of ideas and examples. Analyse and redevelop them until satisfied with the result and compare it to your initial research questions. The findings should be set out in writing and will then inform next stages of the research process.
Adaption: Does your research direction and questions have references to other topics, what can be emulated, or does it point to other alternatives? What could be modified? What could be reconfigured?
Fiction: Make it bigger: How could things be expanded? Which aspects could be extended? How could you add something? Should you recapitulate anything? Make it smaller: What could you leave out? Which aspects could be reduced?
26.11.18: Workshop III – … to transformation (led by Verena Ziegler)
Transformation: How could you change cause and effect? Could you reverse anything? Could you combine some ideas? Could you mix them up with other contents? Is it possible to combine or split up different components of the service or product you want to create?
Workshop I-III Presentations of various approaches in the class
03.12.18: Final Arguments (led by Verena Ziegler)
A form of knowledge transformation
Blueprint
GitHub
(Role)
Assignment 500 words statement + Academic writing:
Analysis of two research methods
For this assignment you are asked to identify two research methods that you think will be relevant to you. Write a short essay describing what these methods are generally used for, their intended purpose and the various stages or processes they entail. You may want to identify the range of methods you initially considered and briefly discuss why you selected the two particular methods you are analyzing for the assignment. Where relevant compare these two methods in terms of their purposes and approach. Please identify why and how you think these methods could be useful in the future of following your BA thesis.
This assignment is to be presented as a short essay. It may include diagrams and examples. Make sure you include a reference list of all texts you refer to at the end of the essay. Please use APA or other citation system.
This assignment is worth 30% of the final overall grade for this module.
The assignment will be assessed in terms of the quality of the information gathered and presented; the level of understanding of methodological application demonstrated in the essay, the relevance of approach to your project and the standard and clarity of communication. Please get someone to proof read your assignment if you are not confident with writing.
The focus of this assignment is on specific methods but you can discuss these methods in relation to their broader methodological frameworks if you think this is relevant. Please be mindful that there is a wide range of approaches available to you and that you might consider more formal research methods (like interviews or surveys) and/or design led methods like material probes, prototyping etc, - participatory methods, ideation methods, or more informal approaches.