Class

Lecture (LEC)

NOTE: Students must apply for entry to the course. Contact the professor, msiegel@iu.edu   I. OVERVIEW - Course Goal: IDP aims to teach students how to think and behave like a successful UX designer. - Project-Based Learning: The course is structured around three challenging interaction design projects from actual companies (in 2024, Google, Roblox, and Salesforce). - Collaboration: The course emphasizes collaborative teamwork and protocols for team decision-making and workflow. - Focus on Design, Not Programming: Programming knowledge is not a prerequisite. The focus is on design principles and practices. Tools like Figma will be used in the course. - De-emphasis of Grades: The instructor focuses on critiques and feedback rather than grades, encouraging students to take risks and embrace failure as a learning opportunity. - Real-World Application: The course aims to emulate the standards and expectations of working as a designer at top companies like Apple, Microsoft, Adobe, Meta, Airbnb, or Google.   II. KEY SKILLS AND ATTITUDES - Skills to Practice: Moving from a design brief to a complete design. - Interviewing company stakeholders and subject matter experts. - Sketching concepts and prototyping with Figma. - Connecting research to design features. - Creating compelling design arguments and presenting designs. - Engaging with team members effectively. - Evaluating design concepts. - Sketchnoting.   - Attitudes to Develop: Commitment to design with courage. - Ego-less approach to work. - Consensus-building decision-making. - Questioning assumptions. - Willingness to abandon favorite ideas that don't work. - Working with a sketchbook in hand.   III. COURSE LOGISTICS - Instructional Staff: Professor Martin Siegel + Teaching Assistants + Project Mentors from actual companies. - Communication: Slack is the primary communication tool for course-related discussions. - Class Format: Discussion-based with mini-lectures. Active participation is expected. - Attendance: Mandatory and impacts the final grade. - No Laptops/Phones: Students are expected to sketchnote during class instead of using electronic devices. - Three Projects: Each project involves a design brief, company interview, project document submission, in-class presentation, team evaluation, and company critique. - Team Facilitators: Each team designates a facilitator for each project to coordinate activities and ensure decision-making protocols are followed.   VI. ADVICE FROM FORMER STUDENTS - Embrace Failure: Don't be afraid to fail; it's a learning opportunity. In IDP, you must let go of the fear of failing and start working. Your biggest obstacle will be your fear of doing something wrong. - Immerse Yourself: Fully engage with the course, ask questions, and share opinions. - Research: Thoroughly research key concepts relevant to the projects. - Collaboration: Collaborate early and often. - Seek and Value Critique: See critique as constructive and an opportunity to improve. - Express and Reflect: Reflecting and expressing ideas is critical to the design process. - Zen Dog's Boat: Help each other, share ideas, and focus on the learning journey. Get in the boat!   VII. SUMMARY - IDP is an intensive, collaborative, and project-based course that prepares students for real-world UX design challenges. - The course emphasizes practical skills, professional attitudes, and teamwork. - Active participation, a willingness to learn from mistakes, and a collaborative mindset are crucial for success. - The instructor and instructional team provide a supportive environment for learning and encourage students to take risks and push their creative boundaries.   NOTE: Students must apply for entry to the course. Contact the professor, msiegel@iu.edu