Course content
The second part of the interaction design programme focuses on the complex connected world we now live in, where visual interfaces are increasingly prevalent (from mobile phones to large public information systems, to multiuser and multitouch) and presenting designers with fascinating, complex and highly relevant challenges. The course explores how these interfaces can be effectively integrated into networks and spaces; the information they contain and the messages they impart; and how we, as users, engage and interact with them.
New digital technologies, and the internet in particular, have changed the ways of production and consumption of information. The internet itself has undergone a sea-change in recent years, from primarily static and closed systems to infrastructures where openness, information sharing, collaboration and creativity are key ingredients. Users have become both producers and consumers of content and information. Massive information datasets and structures need to be presented in dynamic, user-friendly and accessible ways, allowing for easy navigation, providing an overview as well as detailed analysis.
These sophisticated design challenges will be explored in a range of workshops and projects.The course will provide students with appropriate practical skills, design methods and design thinking tools, enabling them to tackle advanced screen-based design issues, and leading to the creation of engaging, informative and effective interfaces.
The semester is a compilation of several smaller modules and workshops to introduce the students to the new and more screen specific methods, processes and tools that will form the core of the term. This will be followed by one final project, where students will develop more in-depth conceptual frameworks.
Learning outcome
Knowledge
Students will
• gain an insight and understanding of the fundamental challenges in the design of screen-based
interaction design, and apply this to the design of engaging user-experiences
• understand the roles and opportunities for the designer in a technologically driven environment.
Skills
Students will
• improve their screen-based graphical technical and production skills
• be able to use tools and methods to prototype interactive concepts
• get aqainted with the iterative design process through hands-on tasks
• develop their skills at communicating their concepts and ideas in an engaging and convincing manner
Working and learning activities
Many small modules
The semester is divided into many shorter modules, that together will form a comprehensive introduction to the field. Most of these modules will be initiated by lectures and/or workshops, followed by students working on their assignments with mentoring from the staff. Due to the intensity of the whole semester, we pride ourselves on the available supporting staff in many of the modules.
Frequent crit’s and presentations
In addition to mentoring, ‘’the crit’ is the core method for dialogue throughout the semester, and students will engage in progress discussions and presentation 1 – 2 times weekly throughout the whole semester.
Partner collaboration
In the final module the students can choose from a various tasks with external collaborators. These collaborators range from local business and design consultant companies, to design research projects and future envisioning conceptualization.
Group work
Students will be working individually or in groups of two.
Work effort
The course is intensive, and requires a high attendance from the students.
