ahandrewh teaches IAT-334interface design

P3: Interface Proposal (due July 3)

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Introduction

This project is for exploring a new context in which you will try to find opportunities for design. It concludes with a proposal describing opportunities for design.

Your deliverable for this project feeds into your final project, where you will develop a high-level prototype for the proposed direction. The final project can be for a variety of digital platforms — voice, VR, desktop, mobile, smartwatch, embedded devices, mixed physical/digital interfaces, etc. — though there is a significant interface design requirement regardless of what platform is appropriate.

This project is completed in groups of two or three.

P3: Interface Proposal is worth 15% of your final grade.

Weekly instructions

This project spans multiple weeks. Please read the weekly instructions carefully.

From June 19 to June 26

This week is your research week, to develop a strong understanding of the domain in which you are interested in working and the individuals you would design for.

Please complete the following:

  1. As a group fill in the team contract. We will provide you with a print-out in class on June 19, or you can print your own copy. One contract is due per team.
  2. As a group select a domain to work with. Try to select a domain that may be of interest to you and where you believe there may be an opportunity for development of an interface.
  3. As a group come up with a list of assumptions you may have about the domain chosen. Write it down.
  4. As a group rephrase the list of assumptions as questions. For example, if one of my assumptions about the medical domain is that "Intensive care unit (ICU) nurses are overworked," my question could be "What is an average working day like from the perspective of an ICU nurse?"
  5. Individually define two exploratory research questions. These can be informed by your questions on assumptions or what you need to understand about this domain to find opportunities for design?
  6. Individually locate three secondary sources — i.e. books, articles, documentaries, podcasts, etc. — that summarize or synthesize material related to your research question(s).
    • Summarize what this source is in 100 words or less.
    • Briefly explain how this source will answer the research question.
  7. Individually identify two primary sources — propose a person you could interview and another primary source such as newspaper accounts, recorded interviews, etc. — that you believe could provide you an understanding of someone's experience in the context of the research question(s).
    • Summarize what experience this source shares (or could share) in 100 words or less.
    • Briefly explain how this source will help share an experience that may answer the research question(s).
Bring to your June 26 class

A copy of the following:

  • The domain you will focus on
  • A list of assumptions about the domain
  • A list of questions based on the assumptions
  • 4-6 research questions (2 per individual)
  • 6-9 secondary sources with summaries and explanations (3 per individual)
  • 4-6 primary sources with summaries and explanations (2 per individual)

We will chat about your deliverables in-class.

From June 26 to July 3

This week is for completing your research and finding problems to address.

  1. Based on feedback from the last class, as a group refine the definition of your domain and research questions as needed. Do this before continuing with research.
  2. Individually review your secondary sources and make point-form notes of items that answer your research questions. We recommend capturing these notes on post-its on a collaborative tool such as Miro.
  3. As a group conduct interviews or review your primary sources and make point-form notes on items that answer your research question. If conducting interviews, we also recommend making use of our consent form and interview template. All data collected as part of an interview should be kept anonymous and securely destroyed at the end of the term.
  4. Once you have collected all your notes synthesize your research into potential problems to address as a group. We recommend using affinity diagrams as a method, but if you have another preferred method you may choose to do so.
  5. As a group propose two potential problems to address. Identify research that can support your case for why these may be good problems to address.
Assembling the 'pitch' presentation

Your final submission for this project has some very specific requirements.

As a group generate a three minute presentation of potential problems to address. Use citations from your research to support your explanation or arguments.

The presentation will contain:

  • A description of your domain and context.
  • A description of each potential problem to address.
  • An explanation of why you believe each area is suitable for an interface design.
  • A link to the document or tool in which you synthesized your research findings.

You will also need to submit (to Canvas) an appendix containing:

  • A list of all resources drawn upon as part of the research. This includes ones not cited in pitch presentation but used in the research phase.
  • Interview consent forms and the interview script (if you completed interviews).

Presentations will be completed in-class on July 3.

Grading rubric

Your project will be graded on the following criteria:

A B C D/F

Team contract (1 point):

Team contract has been completed.

Team contract has not been completed.

Quality of research (3 points): 'How much depth was explored?'
  • More than the required number of sources explored.
  • Research synthesis link shows that sources were explored in depth.
  • Research sources are all reputable.
  • The required number of sources explored.
  • Research synthesis link shows that sources were explored in depth.
  • Research sources are mostly reputable.
  • The required number of sources explored.
  • Research synthesis link shows that sources could have been further explored.
  • Some research sources are reputable.
  • Less than the required number of sources explored.
  • Research synthesis link shows that sources could have been further explored.
  • Few or no research sources are reputable.

Reasonably concise writing (3 points): 'Can I easily understand?'

The presentation presents a clear description of the domain, context and problem areas without extra, un-related materials.

The presentation presents a clear description of the domain, context and problem areas with some extra, un-related materials.

The presentation presents a somewhat clear description of the domain, context and problem areas with some extra, un-related materials.

The presentation presents an unclear narrative due to extra or un-related materials.

Effective argumentation (5 points): 'Am I convinced?'

The presentation uses artifacts effectively in arguments to make a strong case for why a particular direction or conclusion is appropriate.

The presentation uses arguments to make a strong case for why a particular direction or conclusion is appropriate.

The presentation uses arguments that do not make a strong case for why a particular direction or conclusion is appropriate due to gaps in knowledge or the rationale.

The presentation uses arguments that do not explain why a particular direction or conclusion is appropriate.

Polish (3 points): 'Would a professional read this?'

  • Presentation completed between 2:45 to 3:15 minutes.
  • Presentation's design — layout, type, content — allows for easy interpretation.
  • Presentation is proofread and edited with few errors. It consistently follows the rules of Standard English.
  • Citations are used appropriately and use a consistent formatting (i.e. APA or MLA).
  • Presentation completed between 2:30 to 2:45 or 3:15 to 3:30 minutes.
  • Presentation's design — layout, type, content — allows for easy interpretation.
  • Presentation is proofread and edited with few errors. It consistently follows the rules of Standard English.
  • Citations are used appropriately and use a consistent formatting (i.e. APA or MLA).
  • Presentation completed between 2:15 to 2:30 or 3:30 to 3:45 minutes.
  • Presentation's design — layout, type, content — leads to some confusion.
  • Presentation is proofread and edited with few errors. It consistently follows the rules of Standard English.
  • Citations are used appropriately but use an inconsistent formatting.
  • Presentation completed in less than 2:15 or more than 3:45 minutes.
  • Presentation's design — layout, type, content — leads to lots of confusion.
  • Presentation contains many errors that interfere with meaning. It generally does not follow the rules of Standard English.
  • Citations appear to be missing and/or use an inconsistent formatting.

Final submission requirements (July 3)

The final submission for P3 is a three-minute presentation and slide-deck PDF covering:

An appendix will need to include:

Your project submission is due to Canvas before your July 3 lab.

Please make sure double-check all your submitted files and URLs to ensure they can be opened. We want to avoid late or problematic submission penalties whenever possible.