Programs | One Year Immersive | Quarter 1 | IDSE 101
Research & Sensemaking
IDSE 101
Research & Sensemaking
IDSE 103
Studio: Foundations
Course Overview
A designer's work is best done with a resonant understanding of the world - the people in it, the systems at play, and the contexts in which our work will live. In this course, you will learn how to responsibly and effectively explore the complexities of the human world, describe it, and develop a point of view around what you've learned.
Outcomes and Competencies
The following outcome statements articulate the competencies, abilities, and skills a student will have as a result of completing this class. Upon completing this course, students will be able to:
Articulate the purpose of design research, including framing, methods and implementation plans.
Apply methods of qualitative design research, including contextual inquiry, participatory design and cultural probes, in the context of a large-scale interaction design problem.
Apply methods of design synthesis, including affinity diagramming, data mapping, and workflow modeling in the context of a large-scale interaction design problem.
Understand data from quantitative to qualitative and the basics for using quantitative data for generative research.
Articulate the principles of qualitative design research, how they differ from and complement other research methods.
Articulate the role and value of design research and synthesis when trying to solve wicked problems.
Produce compelling narratives and viewpoints for a non-design audience that cultivate empathy, tame chaos, and illuminate opportunities for productive action.
Course Schedule
Class 1
In Class
Introduction to Design Research
Introduction to course and goals
What is Design research? Why do we do it?
Introduce research problem space and focus statements
Activities
Partner and create research focus statements
Out of Class
Activities
Continue defining research focus
Reading
Portigal - Chapter 1
Geertz Preface - Chapter 1
Holtzblatt & Beyer, 1-2
Class 2
In Class
Introduction to Research Planning & Methodologies
Discuss Readings
Research planning, recruiting and screening
Research method selection
Activities
Critique focus statements
Identify potential research participants
Out of Class
Activities
Create first draft of research plan. Include contact list and discussion question for SME. Include contact list and discussion questions for SME.
Finish service research
Reading/Video
H&B: Chapters 3-4
Screening sample - Portigal
Class 3
In Class
Preparing for Research - ⏰ Research focus due
Present/Critique
Present & critique initial research plan (as much as you have)
Discussion
Readings
Research planning & recruitment:
Intercepts vs. recruiting
Research teams, equipment, consent and tactics
Data capture & debriefs
Activities
Build research project plan and share with another team for feedback
Out of Class
Activities
Finalize research plan (Due next Monday)
Start recruiting for research participants
Reading
[Excerpt] The Little Book of Design Research Ethics - Section 2-3 “The Guidelines” and “Closing Thoughts”
Class 4
In Class
Conducting Research
Discussion
Readings
Good interviewing, consent, rapport-building, privacy
Overview of the next 6 weeks (Mural)
Activities
Create consent form, discussion guide, activity script, recruitment comms
Recruitment working session
Setup Google Drive for data gathering
Out of Class
Activities
Continue recruiting for research participants
Reading
AC4D: Cultural Probes
Class 5
In Class
Interview Moderation
⏰ Assignment 1 Due: Research Plan
Discussion
Understand and recover from recruiting setbacks
Discussion guide - ask questions, get feedback
Activities
Role-play interviewing to prepare for considerate, ethical, and effective interviewing
Discussion guide trade: Switch discussion guides with another group for feedback
Out of Class
Activities
Conduct interviews
Begin transcription
Each group to bring at least one interview video recording to critique next class
Reading/Video
Holtzblatt & Beyer 5-6
“Practicing Without a License: Design Research as Psychotherapy”
“The Emotional Toll of Working in UX” - Vivian Castillo
Class 6
In Class
Discussion
Discuss reading
Activities
In-class working session
1:1 time with instructor
Out of Class
Activities
Continue conducting interviews
Continue transcription
Build Fieldwork Presentation
Continue affinity diagramming
Reading/Video
Kolko, Chapters 6-8
Class 7
In Class
Introduction to Synthesis
Discussions
Readings/ videos
Form an initial understanding of sensemaking
Affinity Diagrams
Creating space for synthesis
Activities
Interviewing critique session
Begin affinity diagramming
Out of Class
Activities
Continue conducting interviews
Continue transcription
Continue affinity diagramming
Reading/Video
ECCD field Guide, “What is Equity-Centered Community Design?”
Kolko, Chapter 2
“Maps, models and canvases” - Dave Gray
“How to Make a Concept Model” - Christina Wodtke
“Five Models for Making Sense of Complex Systems” - Christina Wodtke
“A Visual Vocabulary for Concept Models” - Christina Wodtke
Class 8
In Class
Introduction to Work & Concept Models
Discussions
Readings
In-progress synthesis
Sensemaking with work & concept models
Activities
Create work models for your topic
Open work time
Out of Class
Activities
Continue conducting interviews
Continue transcription
Continue affinity diagramming
Reading/Video
“How to Make a Great Presentation” - Nancy Duarte, TED
Class 9
In Class
⏰ Assignment 2 Due: Fieldwork Presentation
⏰ All interviews are complete before class
Discussions
Fieldwork presentations
Readings/videos
Discussion on research & sensemaking process - orienting to where students are and where they’re headed next
Insights & problem statements
Activities
Breakout groups to go from themes to insights in pairs
Out of Class
Activities
Finish transcription
Continue affinity diagramming
Move toward insights
Reading/Video
Class 10
In Class
Building an end-to-end Research and Synthesis Presentation
Discussions
Continue discussion on research & sensemaking process - orienting to where students are and where they’re headed next
Finding & telling stories about your topic
Activities
Walkthrough and critique an example student presentation
“Walk the wall” digitally to critique themes/insights
Developing criteria for a strong insight statement
Out of Class
Activities
Continue diagramming - insights
Build a preliminary synthesis presentation
Class 11
In Class
Using Quantitative Data for Generative Research
⏰ Affinity diagrams complete before class
Activities
Guest Lecture: Quant researcher
In-class working session
Out of Class
Activities
Finalize preliminary synthesis presentation
Refine insight statements
Reading/Video
Class 12
In Class
Insights to Implications
Discussion
Readings/videos
Design implications & principles
Bridging current and future state through problem statements
Activities
Group-by-group synthesis check in with instructor
Gain experience with how to translate insights into compelling, action-provoking story
Out of Class
Activities
Develop implications
Develop problem statement
Outline final design research & synthesis presentation
Reading/Video
Rumelt (excerpt)
Porter (excerpt)
Christensen (excerpt)
Class 13
In Class
Design Research vs. Strategy
⏰ Assignment 3 Due: Preliminary Design Synthesis Presentation
Discussion
Readings
Relationship between design research and business strategy
Integrating secondary research with design research effectively
Activities
Critique implications and problem statements
In-Class Working Session
Out of Class
Activities
Build final design research & synthesis presentation
Reading/Video
“Presentation and Facilitation” - Kolko
Class 14
In Class
Draft Final Design Research & Synthesis Presentation
Activities
Feedback session with guest (Preliminary Synthesis Presentation)
In-Class Working Session
Out of Class
Activities
Iterate final presentation
Class 15
In Class
Activities
Presentation Feedback Session
In-Class Working Session
Out of Class
Activities
Finalize presentation
Practice
Class 16
In Class
⏰ Final Assignment Due: Final Design Research & Synthesis Presentation
Out of Class
🎉
Ready to Launch Your Design Career?
Transform your creative aspirations into reality as you learn from experienced professionals at the Austin Center for Design. Dive into hands-on projects, receive personalized feedback, and develop a solid foundation that will kickstart your design career.