Assignments
This section contains a synopsis of the class and the assignments for the week. The original syllabus & policy statement. The August/September assignments are on a separate page.
November 29, 2006 -- Interaction
- IM times this week are Sunday 8-10 PM and Tuesday 8-9 PM (toomanytonyas)
- Contact Tonya if you need to meet her in person prior to the final class
- Discuss the theories of interaction ala Eric and the Wii demo.
- Discuss The Diamond Age on campfire
- Final work
Assignments
- Sign in and complete class evaluation
- Fill out evaluation of class and project partners PRIOR to next class at surveymonkey
- Work on your final projects
November 15, 2006 -- Usability Testing Basics
- IM times this week are Sunday 8-10 PM and Tuesday 8-9 PM (toomanytonyas)
- Class work.
- Lecture
- Discussion
- Final work
Assignments
- Finish The Diamond Age by next class meeting.
- On-line reading about "Five Styles of Interaction" from the MonkeyMedia site in the mentor section.
- Work on your final projects
November 8, 2006 -- Storyboards and High Level Design
- IM times this week are Sunday 8-10 PM and Tuesday 8-9 PM (toomanytonyas)
- Class work.
- Lecture by guests.
Assignments
- Read The Diamond Age, p.207-295 (Miranda receives an unusual ractive message).
- Read the handout, the chapter "Explaining Magic" from the Tufte book, Visual Explanations
- Check out the site historyshots and see what you think of their work.
- Complete one of the following three analysis assignments, due at the beginning of next class in the teacher folder, WEDNESDAY, November 15. Please submit in Microsoft Word or PDF format, please ensure you have your name and a title on the essay. Must be a minimum of 500 words. Cite sources for any terminology or specific references used.
Describe the role of the primer in Nell's education (to date). What elements of the interface (like interactivity, narrative, etc) contribute to her education? Which elements are subversive and why?
Summarize Tufte's and Tog's analysis of magic and interface design. What terminology or description do you agree or disagree with? Why?
SF writer Arthur C. Clarke said "Any sufficiently advanced technology is indistinguishable from magic." Examine TDA from this perspective and consider whether this is the case or not. Is it true of the primer? Do you readings on magic inform this approach?
November 1, 2006 -- The User of UI
- IM time this week is Sunday 8-10 PM (toomanytonyas)
- Class work.
- Discuss final projects ideas
- Discuss reading on-line
Assignments
- Read The Diamond Age, p.129-207 (Hackworth departs from Shanghai).
- On-line reading about Magic and Software Design.
- Submit your first set of goals to our teacher folder by next class.
October 25, 2006 -- Cyberpunk and UI
- IM times this week are Sunday 8-10 PM and Tuesday 8-9PM (toomanytonyas)
- Class work.
- Turn in your assignment to short_essay_2 directory in the teacher folder.
- Complete presentations
- Discuss final projects ideas
- Discuss reading on-line
Assignments
- Read The Diamond Age, p.59-129 (Hackworth receives an unexpected visit from Inspector Chang).
- On-line reading about paper prototyping from Jakob Nielsen.
- On-line reading about UI mistakes from Tog.
- On-line reading about Notes Toward a Postcyberpunk Manifesto.
- Submit your topic to our Final Project forum by next class.
October 18, 2006 -- Mid-term presentations
- IM times this week are Sunday 8-10 PM and Tuesday 8-9PM (toomanytonyas)
- Class work.
- Presentations
- Discuss final
- Analysis grades emailed out tonight after class
Assignments
- Evaluation of team members at survey monkey due by MONDAY, October 23.
- Begin reading The Diamond Age, through p.59 (Nell sees something peculiar; Harv explains it all).
- Complete one of the following three analysis assignments, due at the beginning of next class, WEDNESDAY, October 25.
Design at least one page as Tufte would, explain a particular design characteristic (which you must define yourself, but you can use known terminology). Make sure your layout is Tufte-like, with examples included. Must be at least 300 words with images.
Write a 500 word analysis about one primary tenet of Tufte's in context of today's user interfaces. What is applicable? What is not?
Describe at least one element of gameplay (from the chapter we read) that is present in Facade. How does Facade compare to other computer games? Must be at least 500 words. Due by the beginning of class in the teacher folder (you can ssh in prior to class) 10/25. May be either HTML or Word format. Must contain your name, a title and any references used. - Think about a topic for the final project. We will discuss in the next class.
Final project description:
Design Your Own Extrapolative GUI
You may either work in groups (of no more than 3) or individually. All individuals will be required to deliver the following items and a working prototype GUI. Groups will also be required to deliver the following, presented in one package. The only additional requirement for group work will be an evaluation of the members.
- Write a summary description of your idea.
- Address goals of UI and identify the style of the interaction
The primary goals of the product (what are you trying to do?)
The nature of your audience (who is your target?)
Potential implementation issues (how will you reach them?) - Informal description of users/participants you will have review your prototype
- Storyboards (these can be rough outlines done in visio or even on paper, if you do not have a soft copy, please scan it in)
- High level design document (in visio of the navigation or structure of the UI)
- Formal requirements/Standards (if your product has industry standards or protocols that it must follow)
- User testing results (What feedback was useful? What did you change as a result?)
- Formal documentation of the process and a working prototype in either a Flash, HTML or Director format. Other formats subject to approval.
October 11, 2006 -- UI and Games and Finishing Tufte
- IM times this week are Sunday 8-10 PM and Tuesday 8-9PM (toomanytonyas)
- Class work.
- Lecture
- Discussion
- Group work
Assignment
- Read your handout
- On-line gameplay for Facade.
- Work on your mid-term project
October 4, 2006 -- UI and Games
- IM times this week are Sunday 8-10 PM and Tuesday 8-9PM (toomanytonyas)
- Class work.
- Lecture
- Discussion
- Group breakdown
Assignment
- On-line reading about Neal Stephenson.
- On-line reading of two prototyping articles, the first from boxes and arrows and the second from BusinessWeek
- Envisioning Information (Narratives of Space and Time)
- Read your handout
- Work on your mid-term.