Overview

This 7-week course presents frameworks for modeling interaction in terms of structure and context. The structure is based on models drawn from cybernetics, for their explanatory and prescriptive value. Contexts include the interaction between "user" and "service" or among members of a designing team. These frameworks augment and extend traditional discussions of form and syntax in design.

We will collaboratively address questions that are fundamental to design practice:

What is a system, and what are the different types?
How do we interact with systems, and what are the different types of interaction?

Systems may act independently, interact with other systems, learn, and even converse:

What do such systems have in common, and how can we describe them?
How can we measure their limitations?

The course explores the integral structures and coherent processes for the design of effective artifacts, communications, collaborations, and services. Students will apply frameworks for steering design processes and/or design outcomes based on their own interests, encompassing domains as broad as mobility, education, health and wellness, and sustainability.

Course design is based on a continuing collaboration between Hugh Dubberly and Paul Pangaro.