FDH3355 Design for Human Machine Interaction 7.5 credits

Every step in the seminar series adds one building block to the understanding of the research front in interaction design within the HCI-field. The first building blok introduces the epistemological foundation of creative, designerly approaches and how to frame a knowledge contribution. The second building block introduces a specific design approach theoretically and in terms of how those theories are translated into design methods, aesthetical and ethical considerations. The third building block involves practical design work based on the theoretical and methodological approach. In the fourth building block we discuss and evaluate the design work the PhD-student has performed based on ethical, practical and theoretical perspectives, including sustainability considerations.

The first building block is done through two lectures by the examiner of the course, introducing and discussing the epistemological foundation of the interaction design approach. Together with the PhD-students, we debate the validity of the design approach, as well as its generative capacity, its ethical consequences, including sustainability considerations.

The second building block involves reading the book, followed by a seminar with the examiner where the book is presented by the PhD-student(s) and debated.

The third block involves practical design work that the PhD-student does on their own.

The fourth block involves a so-called design crit, where we evaluate the design work done by the PhD-student(s).

After completing the course, the PhD-student will know how to:

• Understand and apply theoretical frameworks in a creative design process – from choice of design methods, materials, ethical considerations, data sources, design materials to whether and how to involve the end user in the design process
• Analyse and criticise designs – both commercial as wella s academic, critical design – from an ethical, UX- and design crit position
• Provide an account of the state of art in the field of interaction design in HCI

None.

Same as the requirements to be accepted to the third level program in Mediated communication.

Design materials such as interactive textiles, Arduinos, MIDI-interfaces, haptic materials, shape-shifting materials, data-driven design work, etc. 

A book introducing the specific design approach of the studied interaction design field, such as one of the following:
Rosner, D. K. (2018). Critical fabulations: Reworking the methods and margins of design. MIT Press.
Friedman, B., & Hendry, D. G. (2019). Value sensitive design: Shaping technology with moral imagination. Mit Press.
Wakkary, R. (2021). Things we could design: For more than human-centered worlds. MIT press.
Höök, K. (2018). Designing with the body: Somaesthetic interaction design. Mit Press.

If the course is discontinued, students may request to be examined during the following two academic years.

• EXA1 - Examination, 7.5 credits, grading scale: P, F

Based on recommendation from KTH’s coordinator for disabilities, the examiner will decide how to adapt an examination for students with documented disability.

The examiner may apply another examination format when re-examining individual students.

The examination consists of three parts:

1. A presentation of the theoretical and methological basis for the design approach.
2. Practical design work, ending in a fully functional prototype
3. Active participation in a design crit session.

Kristina Höök

Ylva Fernaeus

• All members of a group are responsible for the group's work.
• In any assessment, every student shall honestly disclose any help received and sources used.
• In an oral assessment, every student shall be able to present and answer questions about the entire assignment and solution.