Seminar in Tangible Experience Design

In this course, students will apply principles of good experience design (including interaction design) to the creation of tangible user interfaces that allow human beings to interact with digital information using physical artifacts. Students will use microcontrollers and basic sensor/actuator electronics, as they work in teams, to prototype their tangible user interface designs. Topics will include human cognitive psychology, user analysis, public tangibles (art, games, social services, etc.), personal tangibles (tools, toys, wearables, etc.), and creative interface testing. No prior electronics knowledge is required.

Prerequisite: Graduate standing.

Required Textbook and Supplies

• Emotionally Durable Design: Objects, Experiences & Empathy
  by Jonathan Chapman. Earthscan.
• Arduino USB Board
• Solderless breadboard
• USB A/B cable (same as for printers, scanners, etc)
• Sneakernet: You should purchase and bring a USB flash drive (thumb drive) to class to temporarily save your in-class work and take it somewhere more permanent.
• Also, we will be using readings from handouts and websites throughout the class.