Module 3: Design Thinking
In the final unit, students will learn about human-centered design principles and the creative process. Through a sequence of readings and exercises, students will be able to identify strong and weak design elements, understand the historical and cultural properties of objects, and translate these design principles to digital media and user interfaces. We will also consider the cultural dimensions of digital technology, exploring issues of access, as they pertain to design.
Readings
Core Texts
- Ray Bradbury, “The Veldt” (1950)
- Bret Victor, “A Brief Rant on the Future of Interaction Design” (2011)
- Don Norman, The Design of Everyday Things (2013)
- Caitlin Winner, “How We Changed the Facebook Friends Icon” (2015)
- Charles Pulliam-Moore, “Coding Diversity into Keyboards One Emoji At a Time” (2014)
- Design Thinking: Learn How to Solve Problems Like a Designer
- An Introduction to Design Thinking: Process Guide
- The Gift-Giving Project (Worksheets)
Supplementary Texts
- Barbie the Engineer (Remix); Feminist Hacker Barbie
- Paige Tutt, “Apple’s New Diverse Emoji Are Even More Problematic Than Before” (2015)
- Fjord, “10 Key Design Trends for 2016″ (2016)
Blog Post 3: Is There An App for That?
- Action: Imagine a smartphone app that can do the unthinkable (think sci-fi). Describe what it does and how it works. Design at least one image of the app (either by hand or using software) that renders the app in terms of a single page, frame, or icon. Post the image to your blog.
- Reflection: Analyze how this app works and why it is important. Consider the purpose of this app on a large cultural scale: “the app that changed the world.” What social or cultural issues can this app address?
- Connection: Connect to at least one text from this unit.
Project
For your Design Thinking project, you will design a new digital tool using human-centered design processes. Refer to An Introduction to Design Thinking: Process Guide for the Design Stages from Empathy to Testing.
Objectives
- Demonstrate awareness of how human culture impacts design and digital environments
- Demonstrate awareness of human-centered design thinking and design processes
- Demonstrate awareness of the basic conventions in writing and communicating your ideas
Present your work in three sections, using a memo template in your word processing software. Sample Template
Section 1: Vision Statement: Empathize and Define
Collect your observations and interviews about a specific digital tool or object that others have interacted with. Record these observations and define your objective or purpose. Culminate this section with a visionary statement about the problem you are addressing.
Requirements:
- Pay special attention to human capabilities and human differences in your observations and interviews.
- Length: 300-400 words
Section 2: Design Proposal: Ideate, Prototype, and Test
In this section, capture your design process during two different stages of development: your first attempts at designing the object, and your revised attempts after testing it out with potential users. Present both images, and analyze how and why your design changes.
Requirements:
- Detail the elements of your design, focusing on human-centered design decisions.
- Include at least TWO images created by you (drawing, photograph, digital design).
- Length: 300-400 words
Section 3: Reflection on the Design Thinking Process
In this section, reflect on your design and the design process, connecting your decisions and insights to at least two texts from this unit.
Requirements:
- Emphasize the cultural implications of your design. How will your design impact our culture?
- Refer to at least two texts from the Design Thinking unit.
- Length: 300-400 words
Rubric
Concerns (Areas that Need Work) | Meets Criteria (Standards for This Performance) | Advanced (Evidence of Exceeding Standards) |
---|---|---|
Cultural Awareness Demonstrate awareness of how culture impacts design and digital environments, as evidenced by your analysis of specific cultural issues and exploration of solutions in your design | ||
Human-Centered Design Thinking Demonstrate awareness of human-centered design processes, which include researching, interviewing, prototyping, and testing your ideas, as evidenced by your reflection on your design process | ||
Connections Demonstrate attention to the course readings and how they connect to your explorations in design thinking | ||
Writing Conventions Demonstrate awareness of the basic conventions in writing and communicating your ideas, as evidenced by proofreading, descriptive language, and reflection |