Syllabus
About this course
The field of Human Computer Interaction (HCI) encompasses the design, implementation, and evaluation of interactive computing systems. This course will provide a survey of HCI theory and will provide web-based implementation practice of these theories. The course will address the presentation of information and the design of interaction from a practical, human-centered perspective. Through a combination of technical topics in interface and interaction design, students will explore the capabilities and limits of both humans and computers.
Human-computer interaction combines computer science, psychology, sociology, design, and art into one discipline. In this course, we will explore how to center the human experience in all kinds of computing, including designing for all humans (not just one kind of user). Though computers are relatively new, there is a rich history of the interactions between computers and humans, so I plan to delve into both the inspiring and inadvertently troubling. We will connect these historical lessons to practice, as students will engage in a deliberate design process as they create interfaces. This reflexive design approach will help students develop and apply humane instincts to the field of computer science.
Course Logistics
When: Mon/Wed 2:30-3:45 PM Where: Watson 247 Lecture Slides and Recordings: Google Drive Design Documentation: Discussion/Questions: Slack Office Hours:
Learning Objectives
Design
Students should be able to describe and execute the steps of a user-centered design process
Prototyping
Students should develop working proficiency in rapid prototyping with a variety of technologies (e.g., paper prototyping, Figma, Vega, Google Cardboard, etc.)
Research Methods
Students should be able to describe and execute quantitative research methods. Students should be able to describe and execute qualitative research methods. Students should be able to design and justify a range of evaluation plans for an artifact.
Engagement
Students should engage in discussions and activities in-class and online.
(Adapted from Emily Wall – Emory)
Assignments & Responsibilities
You will be individually responsible for some homework assignments, participation and critique, oral exams, and your final project. In addition, there will be 4 design sprints throughout the semester, completed as gropu projects.
| Objective | Weight | Description |
|---|---|---|
| 20% | Individual homework assignments | |
| 5% | Engagement and critique | |
| 40% | Group design activities | |
| 20% | Final project | |
| 15% | Oral exam |
Schedule
| Week | Date | Topic | Reading |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 8/26 | Intro to Human-Computer Interaction | |
| 8/28 | Needfinding | ||
| 2 | 9/2 | Define | |
| 9/4 | Ideation + Prototyping | ||
| 3 | 9/9 | Visual Design + Design Patterns | |
| 9/11 | Design for Dimensions Intro + Figma Demo | ||
| 4 | 9/16 | Design for Dimensions | |
| 9/18 | Data Visualization | ||
| 5 | 9/23 | Design for Dimensions | |
| 9/25 | Design for Understanding Intro + VIS Tool Demo | ||
| 6 | 9/30 | Evaluation Part 1 | |
| 10/2 | Evaluation Part 2 + Design for Understanding | ||
| 7 | 10/7 | Accessibility + Universal Design | |
| 10/9 | Design for Understanding (Fall break Thurs/Fri) | ||
| 8 | 10/14 | Oral Exam (KPW @ VIS) | |
| 10/16 | (KPW @ VIS) | ||
| 9 | 10/21 | Design for Another World Intro, Augmented + Virtual Reality | |
| 10/23 | VR Demo (Speaker: Tabitha Peck) + Design for Another World | ||
| 10 | 10/28 | Design for Another world | |
| 10/30 | Tangible + Wearable Interfaces | ||
| 11 | 11/4 | Design for Another World | |
| 11/6 | Re-design and Extend Intro + Hack | ||
| 12 | 11/11 | Affective Computing | |
| 11/13 | Re-design and Extend | ||
| 13 | 11/18 | ||
| 11/20 | |||
| 14 | 11/25 | Thanksgiving break | |
| 11/27 | Thanksgiving break | ||
| 15 | 12/2 | ||
| 12/4 | |||
| 16 | 12/9 | No class (Friday schedule) | |
| 12/11 | No class (Reading Day) | ||
| 17 | 12/16 | Final Assessment Period All work due by December 17. |
Final Design Portfolio |