Schedule

 Class 1. Introductions (Jan 23)

In-Class

  • Getting to know each other
  • Overview & syllabus
  • Overview of the assignments
  • Expectations for the course

assignments

Class 2. the artificial (Jan 30)

In-Class

  • Discussion and questions about the readings
  • Guest: Lindsay Anderberg, Interdisciplinary Science & Technology Librarian
  • Getting familiar with the NYU Library resources
  • Activity: Time Machine & Artifacts Through The Ages 
  • Questions and assignments

assignments

Class 3. Craft, Sketching, & Prototyping (FEB 6)

In-Class

  • Sharing of the 50 Shades project
  • Discussion of readings and videos for this week
  • Guest: Elizabeth New, Tandon Makerspace 
  • Virtual MakerSpace Tour Q&A
  • Activity: Fantasy device
  • Questions and assignments

assignments

Class 4. Use, Affordances, & Practices (FEB 13)

In-Class

assignments

Class 5. Models, Metaphors & Creativity (FEB 20)

In-Class

  • Sharing of the Redesigning with Affordances project
  • Discussion of readings and videos for this week
  • Activity: Exploring Card Decks & Metaphors
  • Questions and assignments

assignments

Class 6. TIME CAPSULE PROTOTYPING (FEB 27)

In-Class

  • Sharing of Time Capsule Part I
  • Discussion of readings and videos for this week
  • Activity: Paper Prototyping 
  • Questions and assignments

assignments

Class 7. World-building & Storytelling (MAR 6)

In-Class

  • Sharing of Time Capsule Part II
  • Activity: Storyboarding & Stop-Motion
  • Questions and assignments

assignments

  • Time Capsule, Part III. Prototype your Time Capsule and write a visual narrative, experimenting with visual narrative techniques, to show the unearthing of the capsule many decades or centuries into the future. Update the blog with your process documentation.
  • Please complete Self-Assessment #1 (will be shared on Slack)
  • Read
    • Scott McCloud, Understanding Comics Ch 4 & 6 
    • Iterate: Ten Lessons in Design and Failure, Ch 3
  • Watch 
  • Optional Watch Understanding Comics (NYU Stream)

Class 8. Time capsule (MAR 13)

In-Class

assignments

Class 9. Research For design: Exploring, Secondary Research & mess Mapping (MAR 20)

In-Class

  • Discussion of readings and videos for this week
  • Sharing of initial research findings
  • Activity: Stakeholder Maps & Observation Techniques
  • Questions and assignments

assignments

Class 10. Research For design: Conducting Exploratory Research (apr 3) 

In-Class

  • Sharing of your primary research method choices, your stakeholders, and what you have tried so far or plan to try in the near future. 
  • Discussion of readings and videos for this week
  • Activity: Methods Hunting & Interview Playtesting 
  • Questions and assignments

assignments

Class 11. Research For design: ideation & PRototyping (APR 10)

In-Class

  • Sharing of your preliminary ideas/sketches and feedback on further directions. 
  • Discussion of readings and videos for this week
  • Activity: Ideation Exercise & Rapid Playtesting
  • Activity: Analysis & Synthesis Methods
  • Questions and assignments

assignments

Class 12. Research For design: Analyzing Findings, SYNTHESIZING & Insights (ASYNCHRONOUS MEETING – APR 17)

In-Class

  • We will meet/check in asynchronously this week and will have one-on-one meetings.
  • Sharing of project updates and key insights
  • Questions and assignments

assignments

  • Start analyzing your findings, sort through the insights you received on user needs, wants etc., and start compiling all the interesting quotes and elements you will craft your final narrative around. Start thinking and drafting that storyline/narrative. 
  • Make a solid plan for how you would like to present the work, if through a how-to video, a stop-motion animation, a cover story or a project pitch, and organize the next steps.
  • Prepare a draft of your showcase/presentations materials to share in class for feedback. 

Class 13. Research For design: POLISHING & SHOWCASING (apr 24)

In-Class

  • Sharing of presentation plan, updates, and questions
  • Discussion of readings and videos for last week
  • Activity: Feedback and work session in preparation for final showcase/presentations
  • Questions and assignments

assignments

  • Prepare to present your UX Design Research process, your final prototype (or sketches), and its rationale next week! 
  • Develop a video sketch (or animation or another form of visual aid) showing how your designed intervention might work and be used by stakeholders. 
  • Please complete Self-Assessment #2. 
  • Course Evaluations are online now! 

Class 14. Research For design: Final presentations (may 1)

In-Class

  • Final Sharing of UX Design Research Project & feedback
  • Debrief and class wrap-up
  • Course evaluations

assignments

  • Fill in any gaps in your process blog by revisiting previous assignments that you might feel are incomplete and wrap-up project documentation! You made it! 
  • Please complete Self-Assessment #2. 

Class 15. final submission (may 8)