Fall 2019 - IAT 333 D100

Interaction Design Methods (3)

Class Number: 6302

Delivery Method: In Person

Overview

  • Course Times + Location:

    Sep 3 – Dec 2, 2019: Wed, 9:30 a.m.–12:20 p.m.
    Location: TBA

  • Prerequisites:

    Completion of 48 credits, including IAT 265. Recommended: IAT 102 or 233.

Description

CALENDAR DESCRIPTION:

Examines concepts of design practice and related design methods for interaction designers. Design methods include ethnography, personas, design games, role-playing, scenarios, participatory workshops, and prototyping.

COURSE DETAILS:

Examines concepts of design practice and design methods for interaction designers. Students will learn research and design methods focused on understanding the people for whom we design, situations of use, participatory involvement and modes of conceptualization. These methods include design ethnography, personas, scenarios, participatory workshops, user journeys, and prototyping. In addition to readings, students will engage in a major interaction design project. Student teams will work with a real-world client of their choosing throughout the course of the entire semester, which they will be required to locate in the first few weeks of the course. 

COURSE-LEVEL EDUCATIONAL GOALS:

Learning outcomes expected for students include:

- Develop an understanding of interaction design practice

- Understand a range of user-centered design research methods and techniques

- Demonstrate an ability to synthesize appropriate methods and techniques through a semester-long project

Topics

This course examines concepts of design practice and related design methods for interaction designers. Interaction design requires design actions to be situated and to highly involve participation of individuals and stakeholders in the design process. This course explores the range of relevant techniques and methods for Interaction Design. In addition, the course introduces the conceptual context of reflective practice as mode of understanding and discussing the design process.

Students will review a wide range of methods focused on conceptualization, use experience and situated use. These include design ethongraphy, personas, participatory workshops / co-creation workshops, scenario-based design, user journeys, and prototyping, and the use of workshops. In addition to readings, students will engage in exploratory design method projects. A major emphasis will also be placed on how to use these methods in effectively communicating the argument and rationale for design decisions to an external audience. 

Lectures and readings complement the studio assignments.

Grading

  • Participant Group Poster/Crit 10%
  • Q&D Ethnography Data Poster/Crit 10%
  • Presenting Design Problems Poster/Crit 10%
  • Personas Slides 10%
  • 3 Design Concept Journey Maps Posters/Crit 10%
  • Refined Design Problems Presentation/Crit 10%
  • Participatory Workshop Crit 10%
  • Presenting 3 Design Solutions 10%
  • Final Concept Presentation + Mockup 20%

Materials

MATERIALS + SUPPLIES:

This course will require the printing of posters for studio critiques on a near weekly basis and a small amount of material costs for the participatory workshop. 

Registrar Notes:

SFU’s Academic Integrity web site http://www.sfu.ca/students/academicintegrity.html is filled with information on what is meant by academic dishonesty, where you can find resources to help with your studies and the consequences of cheating.  Check out the site for more information and videos that help explain the issues in plain English.

Each student is responsible for his or her conduct as it affects the University community.  Academic dishonesty, in whatever form, is ultimately destructive of the values of the University. Furthermore, it is unfair and discouraging to the majority of students who pursue their studies honestly. Scholarly integrity is required of all members of the University. http://www.sfu.ca/policies/gazette/student/s10-01.html

ACADEMIC INTEGRITY: YOUR WORK, YOUR SUCCESS