WEEK 1 – 3

(conceptual system concerns and provocations):

10 B/I/Sd Provocations

As first study activity,  small assigned reading groups will read and then present selected thematic topics (links, a chapter, or article) which will establish various thematic entry points into the chapter. Specifically, we draw upon texts which discuss and describes issues within branding, interaction, and service design.  Each group will identify pertinent issues from the reading, then discuss collectively with the whole class. The intent of the reading is to better understand the practice and theory nature of B/I/Sd, then re-connect certain issues (flexibility, participatory design, shared economy, etc.) as applied to possible contemporary problems.

Brand, re-brand, or un-brand

A two-week+ intensive design foray of ideational studies, responding to local contexts, events, or subjects as opportunities for exploring brand / identity. For purposes of this project, brand being a generalizable component of branding, which of course, also includes service and interaction design.

**** This is an individual project, or self-selected team of two (only!)

Individuals or self-selected teams of two – partners, will focus on one brand approach by framing a design problem, based on the list of opportunities provided below. All open for interpretation. This project is intended as a charrette-like activity, over approx. two weeks.

WEEK 4

BRAINSTORMING–IDEATION

You will brainstorm with peers to determine a range of design problems and/or opportunities that capitalize on insights gained from preceding studies, readings, and the design charette. You will spend short periods of time in small groups brainstorming possible design opportunities/projects within the prescribed design methods.

WEEK 5

SPEED-DATING, PROJECT PROPOSING

WEEK 6 – 13

BRANDING, INTERACTION, SERVICE DESIGN SYSTEMS

Informed by fully developed project proposals, you will work together to design a communications. There are different processes and methods of work for designing this system, which include the following, among others:

• Branding … brand audits, mood boards, brand architecture and strategy, repositioning exercises, language and image narratives, etc.
• Interaction … activity scenarios, personas, user paths, activity diagrams, etc.
• Service design … exchange scenarios, system touchpoints, user readiness analysis, service blueprinting and prototyping, etc.

WEEK 14–15

COURSE SUMMARY DOCUMENTS

As a group, you will design two summary presentations of your work for the semester. The first presentation should be web-based as the viewing setting. It should be a (1) curated ‘story’ told, as self-contained and having or explaining all relevant parts. The second presentation should be a (2) comprehensive PDF document, organized as B/I/SD to show process and end outcomes by each individual.

In accordance with departmental practices and policy, each junior will also document the body of work (as complete, from the studio) to a archival site, TBD.