91.119/70.105 Tangible Interaction Design, Fall 2009

Tue/Thu 10:00a – 11:15a, Olsen Hall 404, North Campus

91.119 / ISIS 11704 Department of Computer Science
Gen Ed Tech with Lab Credit Assoc. Prof. Fred Martin click for fred's email (978) 934–1964
70.105 / ISIS 14853 Department of Art
Gen Ed A&H Credit Assoc. Prof. Karen E. Roehr karen_roehr@uml.edu (978) 934–3586

Course Description

Tangible Interaction Design focuses on understanding how people interact with the designed objects in the world. The class brings together students from across the university around the theme of creating useful and educational prototypes that include embedded computing technology. You will work individually and in multi-disciplinary teams, carrying out a series of creative projects over the course of the semester.

The course is project-oriented with a series of smaller lab assignments and large project. Through these assignments, students will learn elements of graphic communication and principles of interaction in computationally-enabled devices.

In the Fall 2009 semester, projects will include the design of a game or toy, or other exhibit to teach a scientific or mathematical principles. Projects will be exhibited at the Discovery Museums (Acton, MA).

Objectives

After participating in this course, you will be able to:

• critically analyze interaction modes in things and environments in our everyday designed world
• create novel systems that improve the quality of life (e.g., provide learning, play, or practical value)
• incorporate active computational elements and deliberatively developed graphical design elements in these systems

Course Requirements

Tangible Interaction Design is a 100-level course and has no pre-requisites.

Assignments

You will be given 6 labs/assignments over the course of the semester, which will be followed by the exhibit project. The course will also include a design process notebook, 1 quiz, multiple in-class presentations, 2 papers and web-based work.

The assignments cover a variety uses and include practical application of beyond exercises. It is also important that you keep up with the weekly reading assignments. Due dates are listed on the class schedule and at the top of each assignment.

Quizzes

There will be a quiz on Tuesday, October 20. Please plan accordingly.

Attendance

No more than three absences are permitted per semester. Missing any class is strongly discouraged. Attendance will be taken at the beginning of class. Misuse of attendance policy will result in “no credit” for the course. Continually arriving late or leaving early constitutes an absence or partial attendance: 3 late arrivals = 1 absence; 5 late arrivals= 2 absences. Please obtain the phone numbers of at least one member of the class in case of absence. You are still responsible for class work given in your absence. More than three absences lower your final grade (1 grade per absence). More than 5 absences will result in course failure. Class begins at 10:00 am on Tuesday and Thursday. If you are unable to make it to class, please leave a note. Late work is marked down one grade per day (i.e. from an A to a A–).

Expenses

You will be required to purchase one text book and a variety of materials for this course (including art supplies and electronic supplies). The bookstore tries to provide some of these materials. Be prepared for these expenses. It is possible to be creative on a budget. See separate supply list .

Readings

There is reading with weekly assignments. These are listed on assignments. This is to supplement what you will be learning in class. See the Reading List for sources. In addition, we will hand out articles from a variety of publications, including Print Magazine, Communication Arts, and the Communications of the Assocation of Computing Machinery.

Class Structure

Since true learning and mastery can result only with discipline, we will alternate between lecture and hands-on interaction to provide a balance of lecture/discussion, critique and studio work.

Design Process Sketchbook

Everyone is required to keep a design process sketchbook. You will use it to record ideas, thumbnail sketches, drawings research, and your project briefs, critiques. The sketchbook can be purchased at any stationery store and will be reviewed by the instructors periodically. Here are some web links to example products:

• Moleskine large sketchbook. This is one of the best brands. This one is $12 from Amazon.
• 9x12 sketchbook. This has a top-side spiral binding and costs just $4 from Staples.
• hardbound sketchbooks. Here are ones from Michael's art supply.

The sketchbook is essential to your thinking and creative process. We will discuss this in more detail in class.

Course Laboratory

The Laboratory for Interactive Learning (Olsen Hall Room 302) will be the home base for course project work. At least 10 workstations are available in this lab. Each workstation includes computers that include all necessary software, a full set of hand tools and soldering irons, and assorted materials and supplies. The Engaging Computing Laboratory (Olsen Hall Room 306) will also be available for student use. This lab includes the Trotec laser engraver which is available for course projects. You will be given 24x7 access to Olsen 302 using your UML ID card for access. Students are expected to treat both labs with respect. This includes cleaning up after yourself at the end of each and every work session, and making sure doors are closed and locked if you are the last one to leave the lab AND NO drinks nor food is allowed.

Computer Software

Some assignments can be completed on your own personal computer, using the Scratch software from MIT. This software is a free download and is available for both the Macintosh and Windows platforms.

Cell Phones and Email

Cell phones, IM'ing, and email are not permitted in class except in emergencies. Please turn off (or put in silent mode) all pagers, cells etc. Exceptions are for medical reasons (with doctors note) and in case of young children (permission after discussion at semester start). In the case of medical or other emergencies, please talk with us prior to class.

E-mail is not to be accessed during class time. Doing so will lower your project grade by 1 grade. Contacting us by phone or e-mail is to let us know about absences, not for questions that should be asked in class. Stock market tips, concert ticket deals and rapping with your buddies are not permitted during class time. Misuse of web (surfing/instant messages e-mailing on ones own) will result in day dismissal from class.

Grading

This class is about interaction design, including graphic and computational elements, and creating real systems that exemplify the principles discussed in class. At the midterm review, we will inform you of your letter grade in the course. While we realize that grades are important to all of you, we encourage you to involve yourself in the process of learning, creating and challenging yourselves rather than getting caught up with a grade. It has been our experience that those students who became genuinely involved in their work always received the highest marks because they enjoyed the process.

Final grading is based on your overall performance in the course, which includes the following:
25% exhibit project
25% 6 labs/assignments
20% 2 papers
10% in-class attendance, participation, and presentations
10% quiz
10% design process sketchbook (note these are graded separately from the assignments)

Quality of Work

Your work must show a sufficient level of accomplishment in relation to the assignment, demonstrating technical proficiency, conceptual understanding and creativity. This course is also concerned with your creative/design process. Therefore, it is important you stay on schedule with projects.

Questions

Please feel free to schedule an appointment with either of us (Karen and Fred) if you are at all concerned about something in the course. Our hope is that each of you will become computationally and visually literate and this can happen only if you are willing to assume some responsibility for your own learning.
Office hours will be posted. You can always speak with us (or e-mail) about setting up another time to meet if necessary.

Final Words

Open your mind. College is an ideal time for trying new approaches and changing old habits. We look forward to working with you this semester.