About This Course

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


Core Concepts and Ideas

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

Reading List

Outcomes and Competencies

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

Course Schedule

    In Class Out of Class
    Before class 1 - Read:
The Ten Faces of Innovation: Chapter 1
Fast Company: The Future of Marketing is Looking at You
Interpretation of Cultures: Preface – Part 1
Tue 8.28 Introduction to Design Research and Synthesis Read:
Contextual Design: Chapters 1-4
Thu 8.30 Methodologies for Design Research & Establishing a Focus Read:
Field Method Casebook for Software Design, Chapter 13
Assignment 1:
Focus: Establish focus and research questions
Tue 9.4 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 | Examples
Thu 9.6 Planning Research: Roles & Tools
Assignment 2 Due 		Read:
Contextual Design: Chapters 5-6
Assignment 3:
Conduct contextual inquiry, capture notes and video
Tue 9.11 Introduction to Analysis: Making Sense of Data Assignment 4:
Contextual Inquiry Transcripts & Work Models
Thu 9.13 Research Review & Critique: Contextual Inquiries
Assignment 3 Due 		Read:
Liz Sanders: Co-creation and the New Landscapes of Design
Tue 9.18 Planning & Conducting Participatory Research: Methods & Philosophy | Examples
Guest Lecture: Leah McDougald
Assignment 4 Due 		Assignment 5:
Develop Participatory Exercises, discussion guide, stimulus and recruit participants
Wed 9.19 Planning & Conducting Participatory Research: Preparation, Moderation and Fielding
Guest Lecture: Leah McDougald 		Read:
Abductive Thinking and Sensemaking: The Drivers of Design Synthesis, Jon Kolko
Tue 9.25 Managing Data & Defining Themes; Work in Class
Assignment 5 Due 		Assignment 6:
Conduct participatory interviews, capture notes, worksheets and video
Thu 9.27 Work In Class  
Tue 10.2 Research Review & Critique: Participatory Interviews
Assignment 6 Due 		 
Thu 10.4 Visualizing Themes: Concept Modeling
Guest Lecture: Carl Sieber 		Assignment 7:
Themes & Rough Concept Models
Tue 10.9 Presenting Design Research: Translation & Storytelling
Assignment 7 Due 		Assignment 8:
Final Presentation Deck & Report
Thu 10.11 Market Trends & Secondary Research
Guest Lecture 		Begin Reading (for Q2):
Exposing the Magic of Design: A Practitioner’s Guide to the Methods & Theory of Synthesis, Jon Kolko
Tue 10.16 Individual Progress Meetings
Draft Assignment 8 Due 		 
Thu 10.18 Final Presentations
Assignment 8 Due