Students have many options to pursue design at large through classes and research. Relevant winter and spring courses include:
COGS 10 - Cognitive Consequences of TechnologyProf. Edwin HutchinsWebsite:
http://hci.ucsd.edu/10/
Description: How does technology affect how we think? In this course we will explore the role of technology in shaping the way we think as individuals and as groups. We will examine the cognitive consequences of technologies from the Stone Age up to state-of-the art systems in transportation, medicine, warfare, social services, justice, entertainment, religion, science, and more.
COGS 102C - Cognitive Design StudioProf. James HollanWebsite:
https://sites.google.com/site/cssawiki/cogs-102cDescription: This is a project-based course focused on the process of cognitive design. Students work in teams to design and evaluate a prototype application or redesign an existing system. Three hours of lecture and two hours of design laboratory. The course is basically HCI in a nutshell and should give you direction on what you want to do next in your college courses or career. Your project also serves as a very good portfolio for job interviews.
COGS 102B - Cognitive EthnographyProf. Edwin HutchinsWebsite:
http://thiscourse.com/ucsd/cogs102b/wi14/Description: The main goal of this course is to equip students with the methodological tools required to understand the nature of cognitive processes in everyday activities. Students will observe and document cognition in real-world settings. The required work for this course includes attendance at lectures, a set of readings, periodic quizzes on the readings, and the completion of a number of projects using a prototype Peer Review system called PeerStudio. Attendance at lectures is especially important because peer reviewing will be done in class.
COMM 146 - Critical Design Practice
Prof. Lilly IraniWebsite:
http://thiscourse.com/ucsd/comm146/wi13/Description: Designed objects and the built environment pervade and shape our everyday lives. In this experimental new course, students will learn to observe and analyze how the material world shapes our relationships, inscribes values, and sediments privilege. The course will combine cultural analysis with making objects and environments. Students will work in small teams to identify and develop an intervention into an issue on campus. Students are not expected to have specific production experience prior to the course.
CAT 124s and 198s - Culture, Art and Technology PracticumProf. Stefan Tanaka et al.Website:
http://sixth.ucsd.edu/practicum/projects/hosted-projects.html Description: Communication Prof. Tanaka teaches a course on “Ethnography and the Design of Science Education,” one of the practicum courses to be offered in Fall 2014 under the Culture, Art and Technology (CAT) 124 series. Students will be a part of a research and intervention team focused on designing, studying, and participating in an environmental science learning activity at Kearny High School in Linda Vista. Practicum proposals must be submitted by week 8 of the quarter before you begin the course.
ICAM Major - Interdisciplinary Computing and the ArtsMultiple FacultyWebsite:
http://visarts.ucsd.edu/icam-interdisciplinary-computing-and-arts-majorDescription: The ICAM major in the Music and Visual Arts departments draws on and aims to bring together ideas and paradigms from computer science, art, and cultural theory. The program is unique among currently existing computer art or design programs which focus on the use of computers for a particular media (e.g., specializing in computer animation, or computer music, or computer design for print) , or that do not enter into a serious dialogue with current research in computer science, only teaching the students “off-the-shelf” software.
MAE3 - Introduction to Engineering Graphics and DesignProf. Nate DelsonWebsite:
https://sites.google.com/a/eng.ucsd.edu/mae3/homeDescription: This Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering (MAE) course introduces the fundamentals of engineering graphics and the design emphasis is placed on applying engineering toos to design and fabrication of working machines. Course materials are centered on two projects: the 2.5-week Model Clock Project (students use AutoCAD to design an escapement wheel and pendulum for a model clock and make it; and the 7.5-week Robot Design Project, where teams of students design and build a machine for a competition using DC motors, solenoids and fabrication tools.
COGS 120 / CSE 170 - Intro to Human-Computer Interaction DesignProf. Scott KlemmerWebsite:
http://d.ucsd.edu/class/intro-hci/Description: You will learn how to design technologies that bring people joy, rather than frustration. You'll learn techniques for rapidly prototyping and evaluating multiple interface alternatives — and why rapid prototyping and comparative evaluation are essential to excellent interaction design. You'll learn how to conduct fieldwork with people to help generate design ideas. You'll learn principles of visual design, perception and cognition so that you can effectively organize and present information with your interfaces. You will complete a quarter-long project in teams of three.
COGS 187a - Cognitive Aspects of Digital DesignProf. David KirshWebsite:
http://beta.thiscourse.com/ucsd/cogs187a/wi14/Description: This course is about developing 'good taste' in web design. This means knowing what makes a site work and what weakens its usability. At the end of this course you should have a basic technical competence in coding websites and, more importantly, in designing them to be usable and effective. At a more theoretical level you should understand the core principles of information architecture, navigation, and interactivity, and understand the influence of layout on comprehension.
CSE 110 (formerly CSE 70) - Software EngineeringProfs. Bill Griswold, Gary Gillespie or Massimiliano MenariniWebsite:
http://cse.ucsd.edu/cse110Description: The engineering of software systems is a fundamental intellectual challenge of practical import. Many of Computer Science and Engineering's upper-division courses demand that students build systems of modest complexity in a short period of time, making this course of immediate practical importance and justifying its lower-division status. Students will be introduced to software development and engineering methods, including specification, design, implementation, testing, and process. Emphasis is on team development, agile methods, and use of tools such as IDE's, version control, and test harnesses.
MAE 154 - Product Design & EntrepreneurshipProf. Nate DelsonWebsite:
http://mae154.eng.ucsd.edu/Description: If you want to change the world by introducing new products, then this course is for you. You’ll learn new product concepts and perform marketplace analysis. In Fall 2014, three teams will be selected at the end of the quarter to receive a $2,000 award to further development of their project. All teams will be able to submit their product concepts for the annual Zahn Prize. Enrollment is by instructor’s approval only.
UXDA Student Group
Students and faculty from the UCSD campus collaborate on research and teaching in design. Research groups/programs include:
Prospective graduate students should apply to the home department of the faculty they seek as their primary advisor. Once admitted, students will have the opportunity to work with faculty across the university, as research groups and projects commonly span departments.
FACULTY HIRING:
Design is a focus of new faculty recruitment. The Cognitive Science department seeks candidates for a new faculty hire in design. Apply by January 15 for full consideration. Computer Science & Engineering is also hiring faculty, with an emphasis on human-computer interaction; apply by January 1 for full consideration.
