CDGD 401
Graphic Design Intensive 2
Interaction Design
This course introduces expanded modes of practice for graphic designers: interactive, experiential, performative, and circumstantial ways of communication.
Through readings, lectures, and in-class workshops, students will learn the fundamental design principles for interactive media, and be exposed to methods, tools, and processes of human-centered design. Students will explore interactivity and experiential design as a medium in various ways — from tangible interface, screen-based products and services, to multimedia systems that incorporate multiple dimensions and nonlinear narrative strategies. Students will practice critical making and explore interactive, experiential, and performative media as a new landscape for communicating their voice.
Syllabus
Projects
P1. Everyday Interaction
Choose a common everyday object that you can hold with your hands. Observe and document how people use this object in different contexts. Imagine and sketch 15 new ways of using this object if it became ‘smart’. Identify the best use cases and create video scenarios describing the experience of use.
P2. Inhuman Factors
Create a persona with a set of specific goals or needs, based on a real user or a fictional character. Describe his/her personality, psychological traits and everyday life. Using symbolic representations of these elements, design a graphical interface to help your persona achieve his/her goals.
P3. Smoke and Mirrors
Analyze a narrative — based on a series of fictional or real events — and compile copy and audiovisual content. Imagine and plan three different environments, adding sound, objects and dynamic content at multiple scales. Design a cohesive system of interactions considering context and audience participation.
P4. Input Output
This is a group project of parallel sections. Students will be assigned a spot in a sequence. Each student will work based on a trigger of the student prior in the sequence and create a reaction in the format of a 5-second-video. The reaction will function as the trigger for the next student’s design. All students’ work will be linked together to form a large looped video.
Exercises
Supplemental weekly exercises will be given to help student develop fundamental communication design knowledge and skills, such as typography and data visualization. These exercise assignments are designed to complement the projects.
My Type 1: New Type
Students will be assigned a typeface from the legendary ‘ComD15’ typefaces to research and analyze to understand the context of typographic design. Then, student will recommend a new set of typefaces that should either renew the legend or be added to the list.
My Type 2: Type of Spirit
Select a designer whom you admire. Thoroughly research and analyze his/her design philosophy and write an essay about it. Then, create your own design work with the spirit of the designer. For example, you may select a theme and design a set of typeface. Compile your essay and design work in a zine.
Research
Reading
Readings will be required throughout the semester, giving students critical insight into the history and context of typography and information design. Each week, one or two students will be assigned to present the material to the class.
