This course provides hands-on and real world experience in the development of innovative and realistic products, services or systems through seeing how Human Centered Design drives change. Diverse methods and tools are introduced, and the student’s design ability is developed in a capstone design project or equivalent. The course is organized around the following modules: understanding three real world case studies, independent design research, analysis & synthesis, collaborative concept generation & creativity and prototyping. Students will be expected to consider the social, economic and environmental implications of their products, services or systems. There is an emphasis on hands-on innovative thinking, teamwork, and effective communication. This is a research-intensive course. Participants in the course will be responsible for utilizing various qualitative research methods such as interviewing, photography, writing, mapping and other forms of documentation. Students will be expected to bring their own extensive personal and medium-based experiences to bear on this course.
Sanjit Sethi 