DSGN 306: User Experience Design
Quarter Offered
Spring : Monday, 6-9pm, Ford Hive 2.350, Jason Kunesh ;
Prerequisites
DSGN 106-1,2 or DSGN 208, or Instructor consent.
Description
User Experience Design is a service discipline dedicated to the digital aspects of human experience. UX has roots in Agile Software, Anthropology, Business, Cybernetics, Design Thinking, Graphic Design, Human Factors, Interaction Design, Library Sciences, Product Design, Psychology and Sociology. Its methods are capable of solving human needs from framing problems and strategies to enabling tactics and execution. From the rise of the web to the ubiquity of digital life today "UX" has evolved into an umbrella term with many new subdisciplines emerging, including content strategy, research, growth, operations, product, strategy and systems.
Students will learn and practice methods from many of the disciplines listed above to understand needs, hypothesize solutions, design prototypes and gather feedback both individually and in teams. The course will emphasize failure, experimentation, and iteration in approach. We will examine emerging user experience concerns including AI, accessibility, and design systems.
Class will feature design activities, Socratic dialog, and studio time. Design methods are easy to practice but impossible to perfect. Students should expect to spend six to eight hours outside of class reading, sketching, designing, and researching solutions. Choose a project that's interesting and challenge yourself in practicing your discipline and it can be a joy like playing a game.
The goal is for students to acquire increased ability in design skills, a thorough foundation of user experience practice to understand how and when to apply those skills, and a few portfolio pieces to showcase their knowledge. There are no required course materials and likely no required book though many will be referenced and a handful recommended. Students may like to have a sketchbook or journal to sketch and keep a log of progress. Others may use electronic or other methods.
Prior experience in some aspect of design is recommended, including DSGN 106: Design Thinking & Communication or DSGN 208: Design Thinking and Doing, or prior equivalent. Students with passion but few prerequisites are encouraged to join with the understanding that more will be required of them to succeed. It is expected newcomers will need to do more work more slowly to achieve the outcomes of more experienced practitioners. Knowledge of Figma or similar prototyping tools is not required and use of AI to complete projects will be permitted.
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