Fall 2014
Language & Culture
This course is an introduction to the study of language and how it influences and is influenced by cultural, social, and political forces. We will begin by studying key works in linguistics and language theory, both to introduce us to how scholars think about language and to give us a baseline vocabulary to use for the rest of the semester and beyond. We will then move into case studies and theoretical works exploring the intersections of language use, individual/group identities, and the exercise of social dominance and power. Throughout the semester, you will work on applying the knowledge and theoretical tools you gain in these readings to your own analysis of a linguistic artifact of your own choosing.
Time, Motion, and Communication
The goals of this course are to learn about tie as a basic element of communication design through a series of exercises and explorations, lecture, critiques, and discussions. To learn about the origins of synthetic movement in film from the rich history of animated films, both commercial and independent, and draw relationships with current examples, such as film titles, motion graphics, and dynamic interfaces. To explore sound and its relationship to the visual component in communication across media. To conduct explorations on the computer and understand the potential and constraints of the medium, synthetic movement, sound, and relevant software.
Independent Study with Bridge for Billions project
Working as the designer on a CMU-based startup. I am using this course as a practice in service design while at the same time providing input on service/brand communication, user experience, design research, and visual style.
Communication Design Fundamentals (Instructor)
Introduces non-design majors to the role of page and document design in effective communication, the field of graphic design and the fundamentals of designing print documents: page and grid design, basic compositional concepts, and typography. Through a series of readings, discussion, demonstrations, and hands-on studio projects, students become familiar with the visual and verbal vocabulary of communication designers, the design process, and the communicative value of word and image. The course includes instruction in the relevant software used by writing and design professionals (InDesign, Illustrator, and Photoshop).
Spring 2013
Design Studio II
The goal of this course is to engage you in the integrated reality of the professional design world through a sponsored project by Microsoft. You will explore three interrelated aspects of professional design practice on a semester long project team project (i.e., design methods, design research, client communication). Communication planning, information design, and interaction design are highly dynamic and collaborative activities that require a wide range of skills, knowledge, and attitudes.
Check out our group work: The Jonses
Or, my progress & thoughts: Jacklynn Thinks…
Design Seminar II: Topics in Communication Design
In this seminar, we will examine communication design from multiple perspectives, including rhetoric, information design, cognitive psychology,
philosophy, and design theory. We will read and discuss the significant works that have influenced modern communication design—paying close attention to their impact on today’s communication practitioners as well as outstanding opportunities for further research. In addition, we will explore these ideas through small case studies from a variety of contexts—from data visualization to advertising, to product brochures, to public relations to political campaigns.
Research Methods for Human-Centered Design
This course will present an opportunity to examine and discover research methods currently employed by the design professions, and to understand the conceptual foundation of research methodology. Methods may include basic statistics, scales and measures, archival research, surveys, questionnaires and interviews, observational methods and ethnographic studies, contextual inquiry and usability testing, participatory techniques and workshops, and the role of visual description within the design research process as expressed and analyzed through drawing, collage, modeling, photography, and diagramming. The course will equip students with the necessary tools to determine appropriate methods for specific design research needs, how to find supporting resources, and the ability to critically evaluate existing research.
Computing for the Arts with Processing
This course is an introduction to Java programming for designers, architects, artists and other visual thinkers, using the popular “Processing” Java toolkit for interactive graphics. Intended for students with little or no prior programming experience, the course uses interaction and visualization as a gateway for learning the traditional programming constructs and the fundamental algorithms typically found in a first course in programming. Students will become familiar with essential programming concepts (types, variables, control, user input, arrays, files, and objects) through the development of interactive games, information visualizations, and computationally-generated forms.
Calligraphy I
Working with pure unadorned Roman letterforms, this course introduces students to the theory and practice of hand-generated letters, employing a variety of mark-making tools. This course provides an in-depth understanding of the basic principles and techniques of the art of formal writing. Rhythm, texture and composition are achieved through routine, elementary exercises using geometric forms, demanding concentration and manual discipline with the development of hand-eye coordination. The function, use, and harmonious sequencing of letterforms is taught through weekly projects. Awareness of rhythm, texture and letterform structure is achieved through routine exercises. Drills, demonstrations, discussions, individual and class critiques are on-going. Additional related topics and activities introduced in class include books: binding and design. A brief introduction to the historical development of our Western alphabet is provided through film, slides, demonstrations, with discussion of twentieth-century type designs. Students also gain exposure to letter vocabulary, paleography, monoprints, words and punctuation, classical page design, publication designpast and present, and calligraphys role in design today. Thinking with hands and eyes, the manual placement and spacing of letters practiced in this course awakens sensitivity and judgment in the designer.
Communication Design Fundamentals (Teaching Assistant)
Introduces non-design majors to the role of page and document design in effective communication, the field of graphic design and the fundamentals of designing print documents: page and grid design, basic compositional concepts, and typography. Through a series of readings, discussion, demonstrations, and hands-on studio projects, students become familiar with the visual and verbal vocabulary of communication designers, the design process, and the communicative value of word and image. The course includes instruction in the relevant software used by writing and design professionals (InDesign, Illustrator, and Photoshop).
Fall 2013
Design Seminar
Survey of the history, present and future of interaction design and its methods, from analogue affordances through skeuomorphic interfaces to tangible interactions. This course locates Interaction Design in a broader history of design, at the nexus of Human Computer Interaction, the Internet and the emergence of Knowledge and Service Economies. It also explores the psychology and philosophy of interaction design, and changing infrastructures, technologies and business models behind the practice.
Design Studio I
Learn how the form of communication impacts the way people perceive and process messages by investigating communication theories and applying them to the design of messages; learn how to approach communication challenges—pose questions, observe and capture information through sketching and photographing, develop and iterate concepts, and evaluate their effectiveness.
Prototyping
Building prototypes that quickly visualize and test interactive designs often involves a wide range of skills where the designer plays the additional roles of filmmaker and programmer. Blending scripted time-based media with the targeted creative application of code allows designers to rapidly iterate various types of prototypes to simulate, communicate and evaluate their concepts and assumptions.In this course, current web and media technologies will be used to visualize, code and test prototypes with different levels of function and fidelity. Valuable experience will be gained by actively employing fundamental computational concepts and by building practical narrative skills through hands-on exercises, readings, discussions and projects
Narrative & Argument
This course explores ways of structuring information on the page or screen that are fundamental to communication design within any media. On first exposure, these structures can usefully be thought of as polar dimensions—such as polarities between subjective vs. objective expression; between first person, second, or third person perspective; between the simultaneity of spatial organization vs. temporal sequencing; between the rendering of episodic experience vs. semantic relations; between leaving the audience unacknowledged vs. addressing it; between pleasing, informing, instructing the audience or seeking a decision from it. While these dimensions appear as either-or dichotomies, the skilled communication designer knows how to blend and combine them to add the nuance and texture necessary for sophisticated audience effects. In carefully sequenced writing assignments, students learn how to see and produce a variety of sophisticated effects and to account for their actions as they do so.
Communication Design Fundamentals (Teaching Assistant)
Introduces non-design majors to the role of page and document design in effective communication, the field of graphic design and the fundamentals of designing print documents: page and grid design, basic compositional concepts, and typography. Through a series of readings, discussion, demonstrations, and hands-on studio projects, students become familiar with the visual and verbal vocabulary of communication designers, the design process, and the communicative value of word and image. The course includes instruction in the relevant software used by writing and design professionals (InDesign, Illustrator, and Photoshop).