W01: Course Introduction

Welcome to TECH 120. This is a 3 credit hour course and meets for 2 hours and 50 minutes weekly. The syllabus describes the course:

Students in this course will engage in critical analysis of real-world problems and global challenges. They will demonstrate the ability to recognize opportunity and to take initiative in developing solutions applying the principles of human-centered design. Students will be able to communicate effectively and to work well on teams. Problems and solutions will be examined from societal, cultural, and ethical perspectives.

View the entire syllabus at: http://bit.ly/design-thinking-syllabus

View the course schedule at: http://bit.ly/design-thinking-course-schedule

Objectives

The objectives of this section are to learn:

• about each other
• about empathy and it's use in design (and this course)
• the requirements of the course syllabus and a review of the course schedule
• how to brainstorm (course success)
• about the first design project

Learn about the instructor

The instructor will share his background. You can also view his resume.

Learn about each other

The instructor will pair off students. During class you will perform a 10 min interview. During the interview, capture the following:

1. First and last name of the student (or preferred name).
2. Student's hometown.
3. Student's status (freshman, sophomore, etc).
4. Current Job and Hobbies.
5. What skills the student will bring to a design team (audio, video, building, writing, etc.).
6. One unique thing that will help the rest of the class remember the student's name.
7. Using your phone, take a fun picture of the the person you interviewed.

Submit this information in our course management system discussion board. Ensure you follow the directions and review the rubric.

Afterward, we will have a round of student introductions. Students will introduce their interviewee and answer the following:

1. First and last name of the student (or preferred name).
2. Student's hometown.
3. Student's status (freshman, sophomore, etc).
4. Unique skills they would bring to a design team.
5. Hobbies.

Empathy

What was the purpose of interviewing another student?

What is empathy and how is it used in the design thinking?

Here's the American Psychological Association definition: https://dictionary.apa.org/empathy

Course syllabus and schedule

During class we review both the course syllabus and the course schedule. These are available at:

• Course Syllabus at: http://bit.ly/design-thinking-syllabus
• Course Schedule at: http://bit.ly/design-thinking-course-schedule

All instructional content is found on this website. Discussions, assessments, assignment/project submission and grade review will all occur on the Purdue University course management system; Blackboard.

Brainstorming success

During class, you will brainstorm the attributes necessary for a student to be successful in this course on the 8.5" x 11" (A-Size) sheet of paper provided.

About your notebook

You will use your notebook weekly to document:

• class notes (date each page creatively so you can find notes quickly)
• brainstorming
• sketches (lots and lots of sketches)
• ideas (lists along with even more sketches)
• notes to self (to do items or things to remember)
• due dates (and then track those dates)
• and other things that just pop into your head (phone numbers, birthdays, interesting facts, etc.)

RECOMMENDATION: The purpose of your notebook is to have a visual of your work for future employers, your instructor, and your final project jury. It is a tool that should be used in the moment, but if you keep your journal neat and organized, it will make an impression. I recommend that you only use the right-hand side of the paper to avoid through page bleeding. Higher quality notebooks provide thicker pages that protect from bleeding.

"I'm not writing it down now to remember it later, I'm writing it down to remember it now."

Your notebook is yours, and while you will scan pages and submit them, I encourage you to personalize it. I am currently using a Field Notes: Dime Novel Edition to take notes and capture ideas for this course. I've personalized the first page and while it's not perfect (it is not supposed to be), it is fun - at least I think so and that's all that matters. (images below).

Project selection

In class we review the items found in the sketch above. Individuals will recommend objects to improve and the instructor will capture these on the white-board. Through a process of "usage experience" elimination, we will narrow the selection down to a 2-3 option. The instructor will then make the final determination.

Brainstorming design requirements

INDIVIDUALLY and using the 8.5"x 11" sheet of paper provided, begin to sketch the various features you would want in a <INSTRUCTOR ASSIGNED>. During the time provided, you will visually represent, via a sketch, a minimum of 10 features. Be creative and don't be afraid of your own pen (that is, don't worry that it doesn't look professional; that will come later). DO NOT SHARE YOUR DESIGN WITH ANYONE.

Oh no! Not another interview?

Interviewer:

• Without viewing the interviewee's sketch, have them describe orally three of their favorite features of their <INSTRUCTOR ASSIGNED>
• Draw their feature ideas on a fresh 8.5" x 11" sheet of paper while your interviewee describes the features and functions of the device
• Do not ask to view your interviewee's sketch before, during, or after
• The interviewee should not guide the sketch but rather simply describe the features and functions

Interviewee:

• After your interview, share your sketch

(Gallery Walk Simulation) Once complete, and as a team of two, compare the sketches and ask:

1. What features were similar or complementary between the designs?
2. What design feature was incorrectly displayed in the sketch?
3. Were any new ideas discovered? Capture those on a sheet of paper.
4. Which features might we pull forward as we design a prototype of a new <INSTRUCTOR ASSIGNED>.

Each student will share the other student's design in class.

Homework

See Course Schedule at: http://bit.ly/design-thinking-course-schedule