Class Syllabus

Syllabus – Major Studio: Interaction

Parsons The New School for Design

MFA in Design and Technology

PGTE 5201 MAJOR STUDIO: INTERACTION

Course Dates: January 24 , 2012 to May 17, 2012

Course Meeting Times: 12:00pm to 2:40pm

Tuesdays: Room 1108 (11th floor), 6 East 16th street

Thursdays: Room 1206 (12th floor), 6 East 16th street

Instructor: Jonah Brucker-Cohen

Email: jonah at coin-operated.com

Class Blog: http://interaction2012.coin-operated.com/

Office Hours: by appointment

Course Description:

This studio advocates the design of interactive artifacts as an integrated practice comprised of both theoretical investigation and “hands-on” research. Throughout the semester we will seek to incorporate interaction design methodology into a wide spectrum of creative pursuits. The particular strategies and technologies applied by each student will vary according to individual interest; however the development and usage of a shared vocabulary and context with which to critique work will be emphasized. To this end we will collectively read and discuss a number of written texts and discuss the role technology, society, and particular approaches to interactive design might have within varied disciplinary domains. The studio will posit a critical approach towards technology discourse, analyzing not only the application of technology and the context from which innovation emerges, but also the agendas and interests that are furthered by such developments.

Studio Policies:

The course meets for two, two-hour and forty-minute sessions per week. As per University policy, 5 absences constitute grounds for failure. Two absences will result in an automatic academic warning. Arriving after the start of class also constitutes an absence. There is no such thing as an excused absence; any failure to attend a class sessions shall be marked as an absence. In addition, all students are required to present at the two major critiques during the semester. Any student who does not participate in these scheduled critiques may receive a failing grade at the discretion of the instructor.

Two Primary Assignments:

1. Weekly projects 5 weeks (mini projects): introduction to design research methods; translating research into a series of roughly prototyped designed artifacts that feature a specific point of view. Objective of the assignment: reflective and analytical thinking (how did they make the choices they made?), research methods, contextualization of work, user scenarios and user testing.

A. Reinvent a Switch: using only a switch as your input and / or output, think of ways you can create a meaningful interaction that only uses this form of interface?

B. Social Media Interaction: Reinvent how we connect over social media without using the web.. What other forms of interactivity are possible?

C. Interaction Over A Distance: Create an interactive experience that facilitates and enhances human relationships over a distance. How could individuals or groups communicate over distance without using screen-based communication tools or software.

2. Final Project – 9 weeks: research, the flow of concept to design, production, testing and application. Objective of the assignment: articulating a thesis; actualizing and externalizing the thesis idea in a project; analyzing and evaluating the project’s success; written documentation.

Weekly Assignments:

Each week students will also work on smaller, targeted in-class assignments designed to support work on the primary assignment. We encourage writing as an integral part of design thinking. Weekly projects may be done individually or in groups, at the faculty’s discretion. Additional Reading may be assigned throughout the semester. All reading should have a one paragraph minimum reaction posted to the class blog.

Detailed Course Outline:

Week 1, Class 1, January 24, 2012

Introduction

Introductions all around: Who you are, Where you’re from and What is your design specialty?

Explanation of syllabus, 3 initial assignments of one-week duration, one longer project, critique, readings / groups, writing assignments, blogs.

Discuss 1st assignment, What is interaction? Brainstorm in class on a shared definition.

Examples of interaction, what makes something interactive?

Week 1, Class 2, January 26, 2012.

Introduction

In Class Review:

Introduction of Switch Project

Domains: what are the domains with which your project engages? What relationships exist between these domains?

Discussion of assigned reading

Reading: “What is Interaction Design” (PDF)

Week 2, Class 1, January 31, 2012.

Students Present Results from Switch Project

Reading: Victor, Bret, A Brief Rant on the Future of Interaction Design: http://bit.ly/interactiondesign

Week 2, Class 2, February 2, 2012.

Students Present Results from Switch Project

Week 3, Class 1, February 7, 2012.

Results from Switch Project

Week 3, Class 2, February 9, 2012.

Results from Switch Project

Introduction Social Media Project

Week 4, Class 1, February 14, 2012.

Results from Social Media Project

Week 4, Class 2, February 16, 2012.

Results from Social Media Project

Week 5, Class 1, February 21, 2012.

Results from Social Media Project

Intro Distance Interaction Project

Week 5, Class 2, February 23, 2012.

Regular Class Meeting: Held by Nathan Becker (MFA-DT 2nd Year)

Week 6, Class 1, Feberuary 28, 2012

Regular Class Meeting: Held by Brian Putz (MFA-DT 2nd Year)

Week 6, Class 2, March 1, 2012.

Present Your Results from Distance Interaction project

Week 7, Class 1, March 6, 2012.

Present Your Results From Distance Interaction project

Week 7, Class 2, March 8, 2012.

Individual meetings – check email list for times.

Week 7, Class 1, March 13, 2012.

No Class Spring Break

Week 7, Class 2, March 15, 2012.

No Class Spring Break

Week 9, Class 1, March 20, 2012.

Interaction Over a Distance Interaction Projects Due!

Intro Final Projects Requirements

Week 9, Class 2, March 22, 2012.