IDSE101 Interaction Design Research and Synthesis

	Quarter 1 (8 weeks)	Quarter 2 (8 weeks)	Quarter 3 (8 weeks)	Quarter 4 (8 weeks)
Methods	IDSE101 Interaction Design Research and Synthesis	IDSE201 Rapid Ideation and Creative Problem Solving	IDSE301 Evaluation of Interaction Design Solutions	IDSE401 Entrepreneurial Practice
Theory	IDSE102 Design, Society and the Public Sector	IDSE202 Service Design	IDSE302 Theory of Interaction Design and Social Entrepreneurship
Application	IDSE103 Studio: Foundation	IDSE203 Studio: Research and Synthesis	IDSE303 Studio: Ideation and Development	IDSE403 Studio: Pilot Launch and Completion

This class focuses on methods of qualitative design research and design synthesis used to approach complicated problems of technology, behavior and society. Students learn techniques and processes that allow them to gather data in the field, analyze that data in a rigorous and substantial way, and extract multi-dimensional insights, meaning and trends

This class emphasizes the following main ideas, themes, and concepts:

Qualitative design research, including research planning, execution, and documentation
Design synthesis, including extracting insights from data and methods of communicating design synthesis results to stakeholders
Data modeling techniques, intended to visualize complicated and multi-layered problems in easy to understand and approachable formats

The following outcome statements articulate the competencies, abilities, and skills a student will have as a result of completing this class. Students will...

Be able to apply methods of qualitative design research, including contextual inquiry and participatory design, in the context of a large-scale interaction design problem
Be able to apply methods of design synthesis, data mapping, work and task-flow modeling, and concept modeling in the context of a large-scale interaction design problem
Understand the role of research and synthesis in the design process

Class	In Class	Out of Class
Design Research: Background & Methodologies
	Before class 1:	Read: The Ten Faces of Innovation: Chapter 1 Read: Fast Company: The Future of Marketing is Looking at You Interpretation of Cultures: Preface – Part 1
1	Introduction to Design Research and Synthesis	Read: Contextual Design: Chapters 1-4	Tue	9/06
2	Methodologies for Design Research & Establishing a Focus	Read:Field Method Casebook for Software Design, Chapter 13 Assignment 1: Focus: Establish focus and research questions (Examples from last year)	Thu	9/08

3	Planning Research: Discussion Guides & Recruiting Assignment 1 Due	Read: Observing the User Experience: Chapters 5-6 Assignment 2: Research Tools: Develop screener and discussion guide	Tue	9/13
4	Planning Research: Roles & Tools Assignment 2 Due	Read: Contextual Design: Chapters 5-6 Assignment 3: Conduct contextual inquiry, capture notes and video	Thu	9/15
5	Introduction to Analysis: Making Sense of Data	Assignment 4: Contextual Inquiry Transcripts & Work Models	Tue	9/20
6	Research Review & Critique: Contextual Inquiries Assignment 3 Due	Read: Liz Sanders: Co-creation and the New Landscapes of Design	Thu	9/22

7	Planning & Conducting Participatory Research: Methods & Philosophy Guest Lecture: Leah McDougald Assignment 4 Due	Assignment 5: Develop Participatory Exercises, discussion guide, stimulus and recruit participants	Tue	9/27
8	Planning & Conducting Participatory Research: Preparation, Moderation and Fielding Guest Lecture: Leah McDougald	Read: Abductive Thinking and Sensemaking: The Drivers of Design Synthesis, Jon Kolko	Thu	9/20
9	Managing Data & Defining Themes Work in Class Assignment 5 Due	Assignment 6: Conduct participatory interviews, capture notes, worksheets and video	Tue	10/04
10	Work in Class	Continue processing interviews	Thu	10/06
11	Research Review & Critique: Participatory Interviews Assignment 6 Due		Tue	10/11
12	Visualizing Themes: Concept Modeling Guest Lecture: Carl Sieber	Assignment 7: Themes & Rough Concept Models	Thu	10/13

13	Presenting Design Research: Translation & Storytelling Assignment 7 Due	Assignment 8: Final Presentation Deck & Report	Tue	10/18
14	Market Trends & Secondary Research	Begin Reading (for Q2): Exposing the Magic of Design: A Practitioner’s Guide to the Methods & Theory of Synthesis, Jon Kolko	Thu	10/29
15	Individual Progress Meetings Draft Assignment 8 Due		Tue	10/25
16	Final Presentations Assignment 8 Due		Thu	10/27