All technology is created to serve people, but actually understanding and effectively meeting the needs of users is no trivial task. In this course, you learn to put the principles of human-centered design into practice in order to build more meaningful interfaces.

Classes meet weekly on Mondays and sessions follow a workshop format. We begin with an interactive lecture to unpack the readings, then switch to hands-on activities and group project work. You should expect to devote 9 hours per week outside of class to complete your readings and assignments.

The course is structured as a guided climb over the twin peaks of the double diamond design process. A strong foundation of contemporary readings and trainings serve as preparation for a 10-week group project. Students conduct ethnographic research at a local site of their choosing, synthesize findings about their target users, create a series of design provocations, implement an interactive prototype, and finally test it with real people. With complete control over the design space, students compete to impress each other with their interfaces during the final prototype faire.