CIXD 2091

Semester: Fall 2024

Class time: Wednesdays, 1-5:30 PM

Location: Flagg Building; Room 222

Campus address: 500 17th St NW #7, Washington, DC 20006

Instructor

Name: Nidhi Singh Rathore

Email: [email protected]

Office hours: In-person- Tuesday, 3:30 PM-6 PM and Virtual- Thursdays, 12:30 PM-2 PM | Use this link to book your slot

References from Class

Class Agreements

Student Groups

Resources & Tools

Readings

Assignments & Grading

University Policies

Navigating the AI Landscape: Considerations for Ethical & Responsible Usage

Course Description

A key challenge of working as a design practitioner is being able to explain and utilize design tools, without marginalizing the lived experience and expertise of those we engage in our research and design work. In this class, the students will explore human-centered design (HCD) techniques, their criticism, and develop their own tools to demonstrate their position and perspective. During the class, the students will engage in exercises such as interviews, workshop designing and facilitation, qualitative research, and prototyping to better understand each step of the human-centered design process, proposed by many practitioners. The aim of this class is to imagine and dissect design as a language, helping designers to communicate and learn from those closest to the challenge—decentering self in the process.

Learning Outcomes

• Discover (new) ways of thinking and talking about design
• Research a current challenge using a range of observational and participatory methodologies.
• Learn about HCD tools, develop a critical perspective, and co-create & iterate a resourceful design tool–reflecting students’ understanding of HCD
• Develop skills for iterative design process and cultivate a team-based collaborative process and develop a voice as a designer.

More than Human-Centered Design?

As designers, we should:

• Celebrate lived experience
• Build tools, products, and solutions built with those closest to the problems, reflecting true needs and desires

Methodologies

• [ ] Journey Maps
• [ ] User Interviews
• [ ] Workshop Design & Facilitation
• [ ] Qualitative research
• [ ] Iterative process
• [ ] Prototyping
• [ ] How-might-we questions

Course Structure

This foundational course will shape your understanding of design and how you articulate your design practice. Our 4.5-hour classes will blend short lectures with hands-on activities, allowing you to learn and apply design tools immediately. We'll focus on presentations, critiques, and discussions. Active participation is crucial as classes won't be recorded. Everyone learns differently, so use whatever record-keeping method works best for you. This personalized approach will support your unique learning journey and design growth.