Sweet Dreams Are Made of This 2024

Owned by Joëlle Bitton
Last updated: Dec 02, 2024

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 

  • Readings & documents where indicated (various dates)
  • Present a non-Western project pre-1899 / Post on Miro board (30.09.24)
  • 1-page observation essay/visuals (14.10.24)
  • Present books (17.10.24)
  • Dream (02.12.24)

Mid-semester assignments (11.11.24)

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 or wiki entries) 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. 

Related Work Visualisation with annotations

  • 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) 

  • Background Research chapter: Version 1 includes literature review, related works, early field encounters, positioning


COURSE MATERIALS 

Readings are made available in the shared IAD server


CALENDAR

Session 01 – 23.09.24 – What is the Action? - 5.H01

Presenting the syllabus & assignments & arc of the course.

Writing exercises based on reflections by students from the last two years of studies and how they consider what a contribution is, as they head towards their final year of BA study.

(red star)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

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 :

  • How to Survive A Plague (David France, 2012)
  • 120 BPM (Robin Campillo, 2013) 

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 and describe in particular what is creative about your approach 
- Plan tandem choice
- Readings

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.

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. 


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.


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.


Session 04 - 14.10.24 - What is the Action? - Part Two - 5.H01

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.

Assignment for 11.11.24: 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.


Session 05 to 08 – 17-18.10.24 – Free Flow Retreat - see location in program

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 – 11.11.24 – Joyful and Creative Research - On Zoom

Guest Intervention: Naomi Bulliard, Centre for Sustainable Fashion, London College of Fashion, UAL

Naomi's Bio

Naomi is linguist and multilingual educator with expertise in participatory design, cultures of sustainability and intercultural collaborations. She has worked in academic and professional roles in education across locations and generations, and has created professional development courses and awards in intercultural and inclusive working practices.  
As Head of Strategy at Centre for Sustainable Fashion, one of University of the Arts’ Research Centres, Naomi oversees strategic activities across Research, Education and Knowledge Exchange, and the development of sustainability literacy and strategies. She has worked on a number of international cross-sector collaborations centred around experiential learning, displacement, diversity and inclusion, and design for sustainability.  

Topic & Exercise-in-class: The ReModelling Futures Method

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.

Session 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 11 – 25.11.24 – Own 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?

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


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?

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