schedule
Methodology Course
- Teacher: Karmen Franinovic
- Time: Monday, 17:00 - 19:00
- Room: SQ502 or as in the schedule below
Course description
A design method is always related to a specific design question it aims to answer and a specific goal it aims to accomplish. Interaction design process applies different methods in several stages of project development: Context/User Research, Concept Generation, Idea Testing, Prototype Development, Prototype Evaluation, Iteration (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Interaction_design#Methodologies).
However, interaction design methods are numerous and offer a number of different ways to proceed in your project. This course will help you identify the most suitable methods for your thesis, and will help you take fruitful directions during the BA project development. The goal of this course is to help you identify methods that are best suited to develop your thesis, and to define a methodology (structure in which different methods are connected) specific for your design question/problem.
Your project development is structured in following steps:
- STEP 0 Problem definition (Concept Video Course)
- Methods: design space mapping, brainstorming, etc.
- STEP 1 Background research (between semester homework)
- Methods: comparative analysis, literature survey etc.
- STEP 2 User, context, technology inquiry
- Methods: direct and participatory observation, video ethnography, interviews, questionnaires, cultural probes etc.
- STEP 3 Idea Generation
- Methods: sketching, bodystorming, brainstorming, participatory methods, extreme characters,etc
- STEP 4 Representing interactive experience
- Methods: mockups, video scenarios etc.
- STEP 5 First prototype
- Methods: task defining, problem solving, trial and error etc.
- STEP 6 Evaluation
- Methods: user testing (in and out of the real context of use), acting out an experience, participatory methods, data analysis etc.
- STEP 7 Iterated prototype
- Methods: technical improvement, scenarios with working prototype etc.
Blog, Deliverables and Deadlines
The deliverables must be documented on your BA design process blog. The blog is as the documentation of your BA work as well as the main source of the material for your written thesis.
All deliverables are specified in the schedule below. Deliverables must be uploaded on your blog the day before the class. Not meeting the deadline will result in reduction of your final grade.
Schedule
- 20 January
- 1st Open Presentation : Concept Video
- Deliverable 1: Concept Video
Time: 9.00 - 12.00 Raum: Sq510
Homework: Conduct background research and introduce concepts relevant for your work. Use tables and diagrams to compare existing projects and draw your own conclusions.
_______________________
- 20 February
- BA Methodology Course Introduction
- Deliverable 2: Background Research
Time: 17.00 - 19.00 Raum: Sq504
Homework: Prepare your context research questions, methods and schedule.
_______________________
- 27 February
- Context Research
Time: 17.00 - 19.00 Raum: Sq504
Questions: What is the existing user experience you are designing for? How will you understand your users and the context of use?
Homework: Perform your inquiry and analyze data.
_______________
- 5 March
- Context Analysis and Findings
Time: 17.00 - 19.00 Raum: Sq504
Questions: What did/can you learn from collected data? How will this inform your concept, problem or design opportunity?
Homework: Based on your findings, inform or enhance your concept.
_______________________
- 12 March
- 2nd Open Presentation: Context Inquiry and Finalized Concept
- Deliverable 3: Context Inquiry (analysis of existing situation, experience or technology)
Time: 8.30-13.00 Raum: SQ5
_______________________
19 March Design Symposium - NO CLASS
_______________________
- 26 March: Mockup/Prototype
Time: 17.00 - 19.00 Raum: Sq504
What kind of prototype is the most suitable for your project? What to do you hope to achieve with your prototype?
_______________________
Time: 17.00 - 19.00 Raum: Sq504
_______________________
9 April - holiday - NO CLASS
_______________________
16 April - holiday - NO CLASS
_______________________
- 23 April
- 3rd Open Presentation: First Prototype
Time: 17:00 - 20:00 Raum: Studios
_______________________
- 30 April: Prototype Evaluation
Time: 17.00 - 19.00 Raum: Sq502
What user-testing methods are suitable for your project?
_______________________
- 7 May: Evaluation Analysis
Time: 17.00 - 19.00 Raum: Sq502
What user-testing methods are suitable for your project?
_______________________
- 14 May - Final Prototype
- Deliverable 4: Prototype Iterations (pdf)
NO CLASS
_______________________
- 22 May
- Poster Review (Karmen and Jürgen)
- Deliverable 5: Poster
- Time: 15.00 Raum: Studios
_______________________
- 22-29 May: Exhibition Setup (Aufbau Ausstellung)
_______________________
- 30 May: 4th Open Presentation: Demo Tour with Dozents
Time: 13.00 - 17.00 Raum: Exhibition Space
_______________________
1 June 2012 Official Vernissage
_______________________
? June 2012 Tour and Apero with Guests and Collaborators
_______________________
7 June 2012 Final Presentation
Time: 9.00 - 17.00 Raum: SQ502
Deliverable 6: Final Prototype/Project Video
_______________________
14 June 2012 Finisage Ausstellung
_______________________
15-16 June 2012 Abbau Ausstellung
_______________________