Class 1

Objective: Define interactivity.

Discussion questions: What does a good definition entail? What is interactive? And what are the fields in which there is interactivity?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Definition

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Interactive

Handout:

"Where Do Ideas Come From" By David Lance Goines, Design Issues. Pages 189-196 (Allworth Press, 2001)

It has the term, a generic description, a differential description. TERM, CLASSIFICATION, DISTICTION

Example: Man, human being, adult male.

Studio Assignment

Identify and think about an object with which people interact. Describe the object and elements of interaction. Based on your reflections and discussion, write a working definition of interactivity.

Submit report 1.

homework

Bring in an object you interact with everyday but do not carry with you. The object must fall into one of the categories described in class.

Project 1: Due class 4

Begin work on an analysis of an interactive object and its historical evolution. The analysis will be presented in class 4.

Class 2

Objective: Evaluate interactivity.

Discussion questions: What is an effective evaluation? How is your object interactive? What is the result of the interaction?

Objects That Tell Stories

Everyday objects reconsidered

Social Mobilesvideo - cell phone redesign

Clocky - alarm clock redesign

Michelob Packaging - bottle redesign

Crest Neat Squeeze Tube - toothpast tube redesign

Contemporary Chop Sticks - chop stick redesign

Studio Assignment

Redesign the object that you brought into class for the person, environment, and period assigned by your instructor. Edit your working definition of interactivity by adding categories and criteria for evaluation.

Present objects.

Sketchup Demo

Individual meetings

Submit report 2.

homework

Identify a target audience and environment for an interactive design.

Read: When More Is Decidedly Less

Project 1: Due class 4

Continue work on historical analysis.

Class 3

Objective: demonstrate independence.

I'll be at CAA this week: you are to demonstrate the ability to work independently.

What variables constrain interactivity?

Science Inspired Design

Studio Assignment

Meet with one or two other students to discuss and answer the question, What variables constrain interactivity?

Submit report 3.

Homework

List the variables of interactivity and complete your audience profile and historical analysis for presentation next week.

Project 1: Due class 4

Continue work on historical analysis.

class 4 - ...snow day...

Objective: Design Interactivity.

How do user and environment influence interactivity design?

Mobile Essentials: Field Study and Concepting

User-Centered Design and Web Development

Studio assignment

Workday

Submit report 4.

Homework

Identify a virtual interactivity and its physical counterpart to present and describe.

Project 1: Present in class

Submit your written analysis and present to class.

Class 5

Objective: Translate physical into virtual interactivity.

How do user and environment influence interactivity design?

How do physical and virtual interactions differ?

Studio Assignment

Break into teams and create an audience profile with a specific need: to sell, access information, connect, communicate, remind, store, play, etc.

Audience profile should consist of age, gender, education, experience with technology. If their need is associated with a routine what is their daily routine?

As a group design a solution (object, website, etc.) to meet your audience's specific need.

Read and Explore: http://www.portablefx.com/, Whats in my bag?

Submit report 5.

homework

Review and analyze each of these sites.

http://www.adctaxservices.net, http://www.intlswa.com

Read Chapter 1 & 2 in Elements of the User Experience

Class 6

Objective: Design interactivity that balances client, audience, designer, and technical sensibilities.

How does a designer understand and balance the competing sensibilities of the client, audience, and designer?

Studio Assignment

Break into teams, begin research on your client’s competitors; analyze competitor’s site and compare to client’s current site.

Submit report 6.

Note during our screen based interaction technical demos will be based on the needs of the class.

Slicing example:

Right click here, and choose Download Linked file.

The sliced and coded layout.

Homework

Prepare a presentation of your findings to show your client.

Read Chapters 4 & 5 in Elements of the User Experience

Project 2: Client website Due class 10

Begin work on Website for client.

Class 7

Objective: Design information architecture for presentation to a client.

What questions should designers ask their clients, and what should they tell them?

Studio assignment

Give presentation on client’s competition and relate information to design recommendations. Send to client.

Meet with Client and present site analysis

Submit report 7.

Project 2: Client website Due class 10

Continue work on Website.

Class 8

Objective: Integrate client feedback and prepare prototype for client review.

Why and how does one test an interactive design?

Studio assignment

Prepare prototype.

Submit report 8.

Homework

Meet with team and refine design based on prototype tests. Send refined proof to client.

Project 2: Client website Due class 10

Continue work on Website

Class 9

Objective: Translate an approved prototype into interactive website.

For whom does the designer code?

Studio Assignment/ Homework

Continue coding for Website.

Submit report 9.

Project 2: Client website Due class 10

Continue work on Website

Class 10

objective: present a finished Website to client.

When is an interactive design complete?

Studio Assignment

Present finished client Website.

Submit report 10.

Project 2: Due

Class 11

Objective: Apply concept of interactivity in defining and evaluating interactive art.

What is interactive art?

Net.Art

superbad, Ghost City, my boyfriend came back from the war, 0100101110101101.org, iSee, eliza, wwwwwwwww.jodi.org

hypertext

Ad Verbum, the jew's daughter

Studio time/ individual meetings

Create an art piece using only HTML and CSS.

Submit report 11.

Homework

Write a short 250- page paper on either a Net.Art or Hypertext work. Analyze the interactivity, how it effects your experience, how engaging the work is, or not. Prepare a short 5 minute presentation with slides

See the Reading Room for additional hypertext works.

See the Dia Art Foundation, adaweb, turbulence for more Net.Art

Project 3: final interactive piece due class 14

Class 12

Objective: apply concept of interactivity in defining, evaluating, and designing interactive space.

What is interactive space?

Vietnam Veterans Memorial - Maya Lin, Access - Marie Sester, Dilbert's Ultimate Cubicle

Studio Assignment

Continue work on interactive piece.

Submit report 12.

homework

Observe People in a public space, memorial, or museum. How does architecture, lighting, and signage effect visitors interactions?

Project 3: Continue work on interactive piece. due class 14

Class 13

Objective: Apply concept of interactivity in the study and modification of a game.

What can designers learn about interactivity by playing and modifying games?

[giantjoystick] - mary flanagan, Play it by Trust - Yoko Ono, The Intruder - Natalie Bookchin, Can You See Me Now? - Blast Theory, Velvet-Strike

Studio Assignment

Continue work on interactive piece.

Submit report 13.

Project 3: Continue work on interactive piece. due class 14

Class 14

Objective: Show, explain, and critique interactive designs.

How does one define, evaluate, and design interactivity?

Studio assignment

Participate in final critique and submit self and course evaluation.

Submit report 14.

 

resources

Hosts

Dreamhost, Godaddy, Fatcow

Software

Google Sketchup

Fetch, text wrangler

Code

Wordpress, Magpie

Info

Web Safe Fonts

http://www.w3schools.com/css/default.asp

 

Getting Help

interactive design and development is an extensive undertaking, and you will probably have some questions and problems. If you get stuck Email me. Put DES405 HELP in the subject line so that I know you have an important question. Since I have many students who will be emailing me this semester, the correct subject line tells me to answer you quickly.

send a question

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