Design
Workshop
Fall
2007
Mondays
6:30 to 9:00
Room
406
Doria
Fan
doria@nyu.edu
The objective of this course is to explore human values in design. It emphasizes a user-centered approach to design. Products, services, and experiences are designed for people, by people. How can we design them to engage the user? Design thinking and prototyping skills are developed in the context of solving design problems and the iterative process. The goal is to develop flexible thinking skills, both analytical and intuitive, that address cognitive, social, cultural, physical human factors and the ability to move from conceptual thinking to prototyping. Students will also explore how form development, aesthetic refinement, and craftsmanship can communicate what a designed item is, how it should be used, and how it shapes our relationship to it. Students are encouraged to explore different design approaches (aesthetic, functional, experimental, critical design) and to develop their own design philosophy and process. The class is a conducted as a design studio with critiques.
SYLLABUS:
Week 1:
September 10
Introduction
of class
Topic:
User-centered design, design as a process and synthesis
Begin
Project 1: Design Icon
Week 2:
September 17
Topic:
Sketching, prototyping, needfinding, observation
Present
Project 1 concept.
Week 3:
September 24
Topic:
Problem-solving, problem definition, functional requirements
Project
1 Presentation due
Begin
Project 2: Ritual, Fetish, or Vice
Week 4:
October 1
Topic:
User Scenarios, Ergonomics, and Usability, User Testing & Iteration
Project
2: concept, sketches, initial prototypes
Week 5:
October 8
Topic:
Objective design
Project
2: prototype
Week 6:
October 15
Topic:
Emotional & Sensorial Design, Subjective design
Project
2 presentations due
Begin
Project 3 (midterm): Iteration
Week 7:
October 22
Topic:
Critical Design, Social Issues
Present
Project 3: concept, sketches, initial prototypes
Week 8:
October 29
Topic: Metaphors and Cognitive Models
Project
3 presentations due
Week 9:
November 5
Topic:
Storytelling and narratives
Final
project ideas
Week
10: November 12
Final
Project: present concept
Week
11: November 19
Final
Projects: in progress: show prototypes, research (half of projects)
Week
12: November 26
Final
Projects: in progress: show prototypes, research (half of projects)
Week
13: December 3
Final
Presentations (half of projects)
Week
14: December 10
Final
Presentation (half of projects)
BOOKS
& READINGS:
REQUIRED:
Toothpicks
& Logos: Design in Everyday Life
by John
Heskett
Oxford
University Press, 2002
(Great
book about design and the design process)
Articles
by Alice Rawsthorn. Available online at http://www.iht.com
(Individual
URLs will be provided in class.)
Other
weekly readings will be assigned.
OTHER
BOOKS (not required, but very useful):
Hertzian
Tales: Electronic Products, Aesthetic Experience, and Critical Design
by
Anthony Dunne
MIT
Press, 2005
The
Laws of Simplicity: Design, Technology, Business, Life
by John
Maeda
MIT
Press, 2006
Rapid
Viz: A New Method for the Rapid Visualization of Ideas
by Kurt
Hanks and Larry Belliston
Crips
Publications, 1990
Elements
of Design: Rowena Reed Kostellow and the Structure of Visual Relationships
by Gail
G. Hannah
Princeton
Architectural Press, 2002.
HOMEWORK
& ASSIGNMENTS & DOCUMENTATION:
There
will be brief weekly assignments and readings. Students are required to keep a
(physical/paper) sketchbook and on-line documentation. There will be 4 projects (1 mini and 3 main), including
the final.
GRADING:
Grading
is based on assignments, documentation (both on-line and a ÒphysicalÓ
sketchbook), class participation, and attendance (and punctuality). Critique
(offering advice and giving constructive criticism and feedback) is a major
part of the class and your grade.
CLASS
GUIDELINES/POLICY:
Students
are expected to come to every class and to be on time. If you are going to be
late or need to miss a class, please let me know in advance.
LAPTOPS:
Laptop
use is fine for you own presentation, but please keep your laptops closed
during class discussions, critiques, and presentations.