Always a site of interactivity, the web interface can be viewed both as a structuring surface for the coherent presentation of information, and as a social membrane connecting online communities. This course offers a practical approach to web interface design by giving students hands-on experience in usability and user-centric design. Additionally, students will discuss the "conceptual side" of the interface by exploring issues raised by Web 2.0's claims for new kinds of networked intimacy (e.g. social software, ubiquitous computing, the "Internet of Things," situated software, many-to-many applications, etc.). Arguably, by extending into social relationships and everyday objects, such technologies make the web interface a site of increasingly intimate contact. How can web interfaces best foster this intimacy?
Groups of 3 to 4 students will work together to design websites for each other in a semester-long iterative design process. Each group will occupy the role of the "design group" for one website and the "client group" for another. All stages of design and production will be explored, including research, project abstract, prototype, user testing, design revisions, and regular presentations and demonstrations. The course will emphasize creative, inventive, expansive contributions to interface design.
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A project-based class designed to give students the experience of solving practical problems in web production and to add to the advanced student's web design portfolio with a comprehensive project.
Week 1 - January 30
Introduction
Due Next Week
Week 2 - February 6
Presentations of Self
Due Next Week
Week 3 - February 13
Scoping Out (the Competition) & Setting Scope (of Work)
Due Next Week
Week 4 - February 20
Prototyping I - Information Architecture
Due Next Week
Week 5 - February 27
Prototyping II - Paper Prototypes
Due Next Week
Week 6 - March 6
User Testing I - Prototypes & Trunk Tests
Due Next Week
Week 7 - March 13
User Testing II - Cardboard Sites
Due Next Week
Week 8 - March 20
From Paper to Code: Graphic Design
Due Next Week
Week 9 - March 27
User Testing III - Live Sites
Due in 2 Weeks (After Spring Break)
** Spring Break - No Class **
Week 10 - April 17
Iterative Design I / Intimacy and Privacy I
Due in Next Week
Week 11 - April 24
Iterative Design II / Intimacy and Privacy II
Due in Next Week
Week 12 - May 1
Iterative Design III / Ubiquity, Cyborgs, and Everyday Life
Due in Next Week
Week 13 - May 8
Iterative Design IV / Formative Interfaces and Group Effects
Due in Next Week
Week 14 - May 15
Finals
Due in Next Week
Week 15 - May 22
Finals