P2: Better (due March 12)
This is old content
Andrew is not currently teaching IAT-438. This material is left online for reference only.
Introduction
Having worked through a practice project, this project has you working on either clientele-provided problems or problems of your own choosing. In addition to new problems to tackle you will integrate more ethics, systems and/or futures thinking into a more self-defined design process. Final solutions will be a high-fidelity prototype (physical or digital) which demonstrates a solution appropriate to the context of the brief.
This project begins individually, but concludes in groups of 4-5 students. You are not permitted to work with the same teammates as in P1.
P2: Better is worth 30% of your final grade.
Proposing a brief
If you are not interested in working on the briefs linked to this project, please email Andrew before February 12 to discuss an alternative project focus. As part of discussing an alternative project please be prepared to answer:
- What is the context?
- What is the challenge?
- Who is it for?
- What considerations may there be?
Weekly instructions
This project spans multiple weeks. Please read the weekly instructions carefully.
From February 5 to February 26
These weeks are individual project weeks. During these weeks you are expected to:
- Define the challenge that you believe the brief is asking you to address.
- Generate an exploratory research question.
- Explore your research question through at least ten secondary sources.
- Write a summary of key findings in your secondary research (in 250 words or less).
- Propose a primary research approach to explore your research question, including:
- A description of the method being used (in 50 words or less).
- What question(s), materials or experiences this method would help you learn about (in 50 words or less).
- Why this method is appropriate for discovering the answer (in 50 words or less).
- How this research would help answer your research question (in 50 words or less).
These materials form your individual deliverables for the project. You may continue revising them until the final deliverable.
Feedback on individual deliverables
Between February 12 to March 5 you are able to arrange one dedicated 10-minute one-on-one with Andrew to discuss key questions or concerns you may have regarding the individual deliverables of the project.
Times can be arranged via email Andrew or DM on chat. Please come prepared with clear questions or requests for feedback.
From February 26 to March 12
These weeks are group project weeks. During these weeks you are expected to:
- Form a group.
- Complete a team contract and bring a printed copy to class.
- Agree upon a research direction and engage in primary research.
- Derive insights from your collection of individual and group research.
- Develop 1-2 design directions that are informed by your research.
- Create 1-2 prototypes illustrating your design direction(s).
- Pitch 1-2 design directions in either 5 minutes, 45 seconds
4 minutes(1 direction) or 8 minutes6 minutes(2 directions).
The presentation and prototypes form the group deliverables for the project.
Feedback on group deliverables
Between February 26 to March 12 you are able to arrange one dedicated one-on-one with an external critiquer to discuss key questions or concerns you may have regarding the project.
A set of times will be offered for you to select from when booking for the critique. Please come prepared with clear questions or requests for feedback.
Grading rubric
Linked is the rubric for both individual and group submissions for this project.
Final submission requirements (March 12)
The final individual submission is a collection of materials completed up until group formation on February 26. The group submission are materials completed after that point.
Both pieces are due to Canvas before your March 12 class.
Please make sure double-check all your submitted URLs to ensure they can be opened. We want to avoid late or problematic submission penalties whenever possible.