The goal of this course is to help students gain competence in relevant research and design methods to carry out an entire design process. Students are encouraged to consider product form and interaction in relation to structure, function and communication with the user. Physical and cognitive aspects of user-product interaction, such as ergonomics, product language and ease of use are addressed as a part of user-centered design methodology, which is integrated in product design projects.
Upon successful completion of this course, a student will:
1) Conduct desk and field research to gain insights for design.
2) Analyze the working principles and functionality of the products.
3) Identify the impact of the physical and cognitive affordances of products on human-product interaction.
4) Relate form and function of product with users’ experience with them.
5) Use appropriate user testing methods at necessary steps throughout the design process.
6) Create deliverables to communicate and gain feedback on design features.