Professional Documents
Culture Documents
Course Information
Course Description
This class is project-driven. The outcome is the project that will be presented in class
and which should become part of your professional portfolio. Theoretical knowledge,
acquired through graduate-level reading, will guide your practical decisions regarding
your project.
The outcome of this graduate class can be compared to the outcome of a graduate class
for future scientists and engineers. Indeed, the object is “to invent the future,”
i.e., express in computational form a creative approach to some of the questions
we are all debating (e.g., the concept of mobility vs. “addiction” to car travel;
quality of life vs. the expectation of a 24/7 cycle of work; life-long learning vs. the
expectation of never-ending entertainment, etc.).
In our class, design and computation are the foundation for understanding the
characteristics of human interaction, for experimenting, for advancing
innovation. Concretely, the students will explore:
a) Knowledge of design, as it shaped, and it continues to shape, human
activity in general, and in particular the emerging new forms of human
activity;
b) Computational skills in the age of interactive media and computational
design;
c) Design evaluation as an expression of knowledge-based evaluation of
complexity.
The chapters “Language and the Visual” (pp. 321-352); “Science and Philosophy”
(especially pp. 511-524); “The Sense of Design” (pp. 590-611); and “A Sense of
the Future” (pp. 729-767), in The Civilization of Illiteracy. This book is available in
its entirety on the Web. It will be offered for sale in the University Bookstore at a
dscounted price for students.
Reading recommendations will be made for each special topic. It is expected that each
student will actually further explore the subject and share references with the class.
Week 1, August 19
What is computational design? Knowledge domain, methodology.
Human Centered Design: what is it? Methodological aspects.
Reading: Computational Design: Design in the Age of a Knowledge Society, by
Mihai Nadin, in formdiskurs, Journal of Design and Design Theory, 2, I/1996.
Frankfurt/ Main:Verlag Form, pp. 40-60
During the first class, we will concretely define the semester projects.
Week 3, September 2
Inventing the future: We don’t need washing machines, we need clean shirts. By
the same token: We don’t need cars, we need mobility; we don’t need cell
phones, we need communication. Can we say, “We don’t need books, we need a
reader”? Is Kindle the reader? Or, one step further, is the iPad the “mother of all
readers”? (books, mail messages, websites, multimedia, etc.)?
Design and representation
A few elements connecting the various aspects of design (for instance, Is
designing risk taking?
Assignment 1: Define in writing how you prefer to address a particular need that
you identify in reality. Document this need in whichever form of expression you
are most comfortable with. This is what is called “Inventing the Future.”
Week 4, September 9
Assignment 2: Based upon the purpose you defined, present to the class your
first sketch of what might become your final project. You can use digital means
(such as modeling, software, animation, interactive diagrams), or you can use
traditional means (clay, wood, or paper models). The project and your current
competence dictate the medium you will use. But, you will have to justify your
choice of medium.
We will spend the entire class time on validating your project.
Week 5, September 16
Information and design
Design is based on visual representation. The visual has different rules than the
written, the oral, sound-based communication. Several case studies will
constitute the focus of this subject.
Reading for this class: The chapters “Language and the Visual” (pp. 321-352);
“Science and Philosophy” (especially pp. 511-524); “The Sense of Design” (pp.
Week 6, September 23
Human Information Interaction
In the age of information processing, design is focused on its goals seen from an
information perspective. In order to process information, designers are acquiring
information processing skills and a new methodology for framing design tasks in
informational form.
Assignment 3: Short progress report on your semester project. If the subject was
changed or new goals were defined, the class will discuss them.
Prepare a short paper on what you consider the most important aspects of these
additional readings.
Week 8, October 7:
Current design issues: Mobile Technology
Since 1954 the mobile paradigm has been gaining importance. There is research
taking place in our program; there is even more under development in various
other places. What can we learn from this focus on mobile communication and
interaction? The class will also discuss the evolution of design in the digital age.
Assignment 4: Prepare a video in which your project is documented. You will
eventually post it on YouTube.
Grading Policy
During the Semester, reading, independent research, acquisition of software skills and
class participation – in the form of short presentations and discussions – will be
evaluated. The final project, supposed to be the expression of your semester-long
research and independent work – will make up 50% of your grade. The remaining 50%
will be accumulated through class attendance, class participation, and weekly
assignments. The following is a breakdown of the grades:
Attendance 10%
Class Participation 25%
Individual Assignments 15%
Final Project & Presentation 50%
No make-up exams, no late work, no extra-credit. All work must be presented in on time
to the class. Class attendance is very important. Make sure you are on time and ready
to learn!
The University of Texas System and The University of Texas at Dallas have rules
and regulations for the orderly and efficient conduct of their business. It is the
responsibility of each student and each student organization to be
knowledgeable about the rules and regulations which govern student conduct
and activities. General information on student conduct and discipline is
contained in the UTD publication, A to Z Guide, which is provided to all
registered students each academic year.
A student at the university neither loses the rights nor escapes the
responsibilities of citizenship. He or she is expected to obey federal, state, and
local laws as well as the Regents’ Rules, university regulations, and
administrative rules. Students are subject to discipline for violating the
standards of conduct whether such conduct takes place on or off campus, or
whether civil or criminal penalties are also imposed for such conduct.
Academic Integrity
The faculty expects from its students a high level of responsibility and academic
honesty. Because the value of an academic degree depends upon the absolute
integrity of the work done by the student for that degree, it is imperative that a
student demonstrate a high standard of individual honor in his or her scholastic
work.
Plagiarism, especially from the web, from portions of papers for other classes,
and from any other source is unacceptable and will be dealt with under the
university’s policy on plagiarism (see general catalog for details). This course will
use the resources of turnitin.com, which searches the web for possible
plagiarism and is over 90% effective.
Email Use
The administration of this institution has set deadlines for withdrawal of any
college-level courses. These dates and times are published in that semester's
course catalog. Administration procedures must be followed. It is the student's
responsibility to handle withdrawal requirements from any class. In other words,
I cannot drop or withdraw any student. You must do the proper paperwork to
ensure that you will not receive a final grade of "F" in a course if you choose not
to attend the class once you are enrolled.
Procedures for student grievances are found in Title V, Rules on Student Services
and Activities, of the university’s Handbook of Operating Procedures.
Copies of these rules and regulations are available to students in the Office of
the Dean of Students, where staff members are available to assist students in
interpreting the rules and regulations.
As per university policy, incomplete grades will be granted only for work
unavoidably missed at the semester’s end and only if 70% of the course work has
been completed. An incomplete grade must be resolved within eight (8) weeks
from the first day of the subsequent long semester. If the required work to
Disability Services
Essentially, the law requires that colleges and universities make those
reasonable adjustments necessary to eliminate discrimination on the basis of
disability. For example, it may be necessary to remove classroom prohibitions
against tape recorders or animals (in the case of dog guides) for students who
are blind. Occasionally an assignment requirement may be substituted (for
example, a research paper versus an oral presentation for a student who is
hearing impaired). Classes enrolled students with mobility impairments may
have to be rescheduled in accessible facilities. The college or university may
need to provide special services such as registration, note-taking, or mobility
assistance.
It is the student’s responsibility to notify his or her professors of the need for
such an accommodation. Disability Services provides students with letters to
present to faculty members to verify that the student has a disability and needs
accommodations. Individuals requiring special accommodation should contact
the professor after class or during office hours.
The University of Texas at Dallas will excuse a student from class or other
required activities for the travel to and observance of a religious holy day for a
religion whose places of worship are exempt from property tax under Section
11.20, Tax Code, Texas Code Annotated.
If a student or an instructor disagrees about the nature of the absence [i.e., for
the purpose of observing a religious holy day] or if there is similar disagreement
about whether the student has been given a reasonable time to complete any
missed assignments or examinations, either the student or the instructor may
request a ruling from the chief executive officer of the institution, or his or her
designee. The chief executive officer or designee must take into account the
legislative intent of TEC 51.911(b), and the student and instructor will abide by
the decision of the chief executive officer or designee.
These descriptions and timelines are subject to change as the class requires.