Assignments for the following week:- writing statement of research
INTERACTION DESIGN THEORY SEMINAR 5th semester
Fall 2024
Lecturer:
Dr Joëlle Bitton, joelle.bitton@zhdk.ch
Office hours by appointment
Class sessions take place Mondays from 15.00-17.00. See calendar for details.
OVERVIEW AND OBJECTIVES
"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 than previous theory classes, with mostly discussions based on readings, this class is a continuous assignment-based exploration of your research engagement. It is 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
Grades will be based on the oral and written presentations and on class participation. Contributing to constructive group feedback is an essential aspect of class participation. Regular attendance is required. Two or more unexcused absences will affect the final grade. Arriving late on more than one occasion will also affect the grade.
Sessions in-class will not be available on Zoom.
Participation in Zoom sessions implies dedicated attention to the class (ie. no multi-tasking with travelling at the same time on train, car, etc).
Class participation 10%
Short Disposition 30%
Literature Review / Related Work mapping 40%
Research exercises 20%
Any assignment that remains unfulfilled receives a failing grade.
ASSIGNMENTS - deliver on the server
In-class assignments
Mid-semester assignments (11.11.24)
Statement of Intent for the BA thesis.
Literature Review
Related Work Visualisation with annotations
+ Diploma assignment (grade and % is part of diploma work) (06.01.25)
COURSE MATERIALS
Readings are made available in the shared IAD server
CALENDAR
Session 01 – 15.09.25 – What is the Action? - action oriented - observation in-situ (meet in town)
Writing exercises based on reflections by students from the last two years of studies and
Assignments for the following week:
- writing statement of research
Assignments for the following week:
- Describe topic choice in 2 structured paragraph with initial research questions and describe in particular what is creative about your approach
- Plan tandem choice
- Readings
Assignments for the following week:
Do a short observation of a situation that you want to tackle, and if applicable meet and interview the people involved. Present the results in a short essay with visuals (max. 1-2 pages). Share on the server by the following Monday 9.00.
Session 02 – 22.09.25 – Positioning - embodiment - On Zoom
Presenting the syllabus & assignments & arc of the course.
We'll first look at the material you found,
Then through the word "interaction", we address notions of taking action in a context of emergency, in particular the case study of Act Up, an organisation that has set methods of taking action.
Watching excepts from two movies recalling the legacy of the organisation Act Up :
In a class exercise, you will write about your own positioning.
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.
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 03 – 29.09.25 – In Formation - On Zoom
Discussion of statements and feedback to your peers. You take over the session.
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...
Pick a thesis from past BA students (available on the server).
Bring those 4 items with you to the free flow retreat retreat and present them.
Assignment for 20.10.25: 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 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.
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.
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.
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.
Free Flow - 20-21.10.25
Session 04 - 27.10.25 - Embodied Interaction & Sensing *lecture / examples / sensors
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 next assignment guidelines and the diploma thesis structure.
Session 05&06– 3.11.25 – From theory to Embodiment & Choreography - embodying theory
Examples
Exercise: distribution of topics / applying them
Sessions 7 10.11.25 – Data Matters - on Zoom *method
Examples + showing Methods
Exercise
Assignments
Session 08 & 09 – 17.11.25 – Ecosystems - Interactions - Being in multispecies world - decentering
Students present
Session 10 – 24.11.25 – How far
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?
In a parallel note, a thesis work has to stand the grounds of an academic endeavour while bringing a creative and unique contribution.
What is truly unique about your contribution?
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 thesis
Assignment for the following week:
- watch the Importance of Self-Delusion.
- Dream
- Readings:
This class' readings are 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.
K. Song & E. Paulos. 2021. Unmaking: Enabling and Celebrating the Creative Material of Failure, Destruction, Decay, and Deformation. CHI 2021
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?
During class, share your ultimate dream.
In a loop back to where we started, we'll end this class with a look at impact and contribution, particularly in relation to current societal matters.
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