This page provides an overview of the work that contributes to your final course grade, and connects you to descriptions for those projects and workshops through the links below. (Note that no descriptive detail appears on SVSU Canvas for any of these assignments.) I activate assignment pages as we need them, so do not worry if you cannot access all of the descriptions at the beginning of the semester.
Your course grade is computed from the points you earn on 6 projects and 15 workshops. Combined, these assignments total 1750 points.
You can read more about grading and what factors might influence your grade on the Policies page.
Projects
I use the term projects to categorize assignments that are significant undertakings, and that require development and refinement time that may span several weeks of the semester. You will complete 6 projects this semester that collectively contribute 1000 possible points to your course grade.
Because this course is anchored by client-driven projects, many of the details for development, design, & submission of assignments will emerge from the daily dynamic of the course itself. When in doubt about any specific responsibilities, please reach out to me or schedule a design team meeting with me to clarify.
- Premortem Analysis (PA). 100 points. The PA project results in a brief report that details the results of your team's premortem project analysis. The PA project challenges you to look ahead to identify potential trouble spots for your project and determine how best to avoid them. Refer to the discussion forum on SVSU Canvas for assignment details.
- Minimum Viable Prototype (MVP). 100 points. The MVP project results in working prototypes of the deliverables your team has chosen to produce on behalf of your client. The MVP project is challenging because it requires you to demonstrate progress toward fulfilling your team plans. This milestone is followed by a period of prototype evaluation and refinement.
- MVP Delivery (MVPD). 100 points. The MVPD project results in a brief presentation to your project client about your work in progress, showcasing your proposed design deliverable(s), and seeking feedback on next steps. The MVPD project challenges you to maintain open-minded professionalism while you seek input from your clients.
- Project Deliverables (PD). 400 points. The CP project results in a deliverables that you construct individually and collaboratively on behalf of your project clients. The CP project is challenging because it requires you to invest your accumulated design knowledge and ability in the execution of professional-level, user-centered, empathic design work.
- Deliverable Delivery (DD). 200 points. The DD project results in a presentation to your project client about your work on their behalf, showcasing your near-final design deliverable(s), and seeking final-stage feedback on your work. The DD project challenges you to be authoritative, professional, and respectful while you seek feedback and sign-off from your clients.
- Lessons Learned (LL). 100 points. The LL project results in a screencast report that examines and reflects upon the challenges your team has faced, how you overcame them, and how your knowlege of UXD, design thinking, information design and project management has evolved during the semester. The LL project is challenging because it requires reflection, targeted storytelling, and honest assessment of your individual and collective work on behalf of clients.
Workshops
I use the term workshops to categorize assignments that are smaller scale than projects, work that can be completed in the space of a single in-person class session, or within the space of a single class week. The concepts, strategies, and practices examined through workshops build and reinforce your working knowledge for the course. You will complete 15 workshops this semester that collectively contribute 750 possible points to your course grade.
Each workshop description details several elements of the work, including design and discussion requirements, and submission guidelines. Use the links below to access those descriptions. Some workshops may require less explanation, and in that case their descriptions will appear in SVSU Canvas. I will direct you where you need to look in the weekly modules.
- Knowledge + Ability Inventory. 50 points. Reflection on & description of your professional knowledge and abilities relevant to information design and project management.
- Project Ranking 50 points. You participate in discussion of clients and projects available for the semester, and present your ranking of choices based on your potential to contribute to each. Refer to the discussion forum on SVSU Canvas for assignment details.
- Design Stage: Empathy. 200 points. Participation in UXD/DT method applications for understanding projects and stakeholder needs and expectations. For this design stage, you will lead 1 session and participate in 3 others.
- Design Stage: Ideation. 200 points. Participation in UXD/DT method applications for imagining design solutions. For this design stage, you will lead 1 session and participate in 3 others.
- Design Stage: Evaluation. 200 points. Participation in UXD/DT method applications for evaluating design prototypes. For this design stage, you will lead 1 session and participate in 3 others.
- I Like, I Wish, I Wonder. 50 points. Reflection on the processes of project management, information design work, and client connection from the semester. Refer to the discussion forum on SVSU Canvas for assignment details.