Course syllabus spring 2023
Course syllabus spring 2023
Title
Interaction Design: Prototyping
Swedish title
Interaktionsdesign: Prototyparbete
Course code
KD415A
Credits
15 credits
Grading scale
UG / Fail (U) or Pass (G)
Language of instruction
English
Decision-making body
Faculty of Culture and Society
Syllabus approval date
2018-09-14
Syllabus valid from
2020-01-20
Entry requirements
At least 15 credits in the main field of Interaction Design.
Level
Basic level
Main field
Interaction Design
Progression level
G1F
Progression level in relation to degree requirements
The course can normally be included as part of a general degree at undergraduate level.
Course objectives
Prototyping with physical and digital materials is essential to interaction design practice. In this course, we purposefully mix a variety of making skills including programming, electronics, and computer-aided rapid manufacturing. It’s also important for designers to clearly understand how prototypes ‘work’ and how to prototype effectively. To this end we draw upon design literature and critically reflect on prototyping practice.
Course contents
The course introduces students to theoretical notions of prototyping, drawing on design theory and relating it to interaction design. Techniques for prototyping with are introduced which will be of use throughout the programme. Students integrate the separate skills and perspectives in a group project.
Learning outcomes
After completing the course, students will be able to:
- Operate laser cutter and 3D printing machines and be certified to work in the Design Lab
- Assemble electronic circuits following a wiring diagram
- Independently locate and use a third-party programming library or API relevant to interactive technology
- Create cross-device interactive experiences
- Prototype and engage with others to generate insights for a design situation
- Relate theoretical perspectives on prototyping to empirical experiences
Learning activities
The course combines lectures, workshops and design activities.
Assessment
Prototyping sprint
Working as a group and in relation to a provided brief, students plan and execute a small-scale physical prototyping project, including engagement with users. (HP 1; LOs 1 & 2)
API Lab: Each group selects an API/library to investigate, identifying what is interesting about it for interaction designers, and creating examples that make use of it. Each group reports their findings with annotated code samples and a live demo (HP 2; LO 3 & 4)
Project: A large scale project that integrates the techniques and perspectives of the course. The reflective journal is used as the means of individual assessment (HP 5; LO 5)
Essay: The critical essay draws upon theoretical notions and practical experience (HP 7; LOs 6)
When the above learning objectives are met in a satisfactory manner, a Pass (G) is given.
Course literature and other study material
You will need to purchase an Arduino Micro (or equivalent) and some basic components (up to 900sek). The details of this will be posted on the course website.
• Valentine, L. (2013) Prototype: Design and craft in the 21st century. Bloomsbury Academic, London
Supplementary articles and literature comprising a maximum of 150 pages disclosed during the course.
Course evaluation
The University provides students who participate in or who have completed a course with the opportunity to make known their experiences and viewpoints with regards to the course by completing a course evaluation administered by the University. The University will compile and summarize the results of course evaluations as well as informing participants of the results and any decisions relating to measures initiated in response to the course evaluations. The results will be made available to the students (HF 1:14).
Interim rules
If a course is no longer offered or has undergone major changes, students will be offered two re-take sessions based on the syllabus in force at registration during a period of one year from the date of the implementation of the changes.