Research and Development Process
Human-centered design changes the world to make it better-suited for people. Design is a process that begins with perception and awareness. What can be improved? What is there to work with and how can it be re-arranged, changed, or replaced? Creative alternative thinking is needed here!New ideas should then be tried out, in little informal studies or larger studies if possible.
The purpose of this project is to experience the process of design by improving one part of your environment, making it better for you. The design-object could be anything, from something immediately practical (e.g., the design of your work space) to more ambitious thought projects (e.g., re-designing social media, sketching an art museum for mental health). The project must be reported in one page (single-spaced). Keep your challenge manageable!
Good research and development (good designing) requires continuing perception and action. Use perception, and then test with action. Is my new arrangement easier to use? Think about functionality—how well does an idea work? New ideas may arise from your conscious goals, but the subconscious is sometimes better at finding a solution in complex situations. Continue to cycle by testing and evaluating one or more possible solutions, and use feedback to further improve your design.
This project is open-ended and variations are allowed.
Summary: Find a good design challenge, go through the design process, and then report on your efforts in one page (single-spaced, an illustration page is optional). Late fees start after the due date. In your page, address:
The problem
Solution ideas (briefly mention one or two you did not use)
The solution-actions you took
How well your ideas worked
- Part 2 of the assessment
- Watching the movie ‘Prisoners of Silence’ and submitting a ~3-page, double-spaced report that includes a) examples of pseudoscientific thinking in the movie (i.e., which elements of pseudoscience do you detect) and b) specific moments in the movie illustrating that form of pseudoscientific thinking.
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