This course is an introduction to the user experience design process: from research, to interface design, to a testable prototype. Together, we will develop an understanding of general UX design best practices and human psychology that facilitates decision-making, explore the latest functionalities of mobile and web interface design and patterns, and look across a variety of tangible and experiential interfaces for examples. Throughout the course, we take a critical look at what goes into creating the addictiveness of smartphone apps and platforms, and the ethical and moral obligations designers have towards the structures around us.

How do we design interactions, installations, and experiences around the constrains of the new world? How do we create environments that provide refuge and healing during crisis? This class will focus on the fundamentals and advanced techniques of real-time graphics programming, interaction design, networking, midi integration and projection mapping, to create immersive environments that can have technical and social impact for communities in need in a socially distanced era. Students will learn these techniques using a tool called TouchDesigner, which is a node-based visual programming language for real-time interactive multimedia content. It's been used by artists, programmers, creative coders and software designers to create performances, installations, and mixed media works. The course will consider technical skills, methods and aesthetics in the context of case studies that include large scale environments for medical professionals to alleviate stress/burnout, for patients in clinical studies aiding in neuroscience research on brain recovery, and for commercial spaces bringing sanctuary to the urban landscape.

This course will present an introduction to creating VR experiences in a browser, exploring the basics of WebVR, a JavaScript API that provides access to a variety of Virtual Reality devices in your browser. The class will feature an overview of A-Frame, and rapid prototyping VR in the browser using A-Frame and other open-source frameworks. In addition, the course will provide an introduction to motion capture and rigging for students to explore motion and movement in XR environments. The class explains the building blocks of the Immersive Web providing support for virtual-reality devices to web apps, enabling developers to create immersive experiences that run on any WebGL-enabled browser. Tools and methods will be discussed through a critical lens that interrogate power structures embedded in these technologies, with readings and discussions that question access, control and representation. The course will be taught online.