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====== BA Concept Seminar 2025 ======

===== Structure =====

__Lecturers:__ Dr. Joëlle Bitton\\  Prof. Jürgen Späth\\  Mag. Dipl. Des. Nicole Foelsterl\\

//Office hours by appointment//

  * The module takes place over 2 weeks, from **06.01.24 to 17.01.24**, from Monday to Friday, __9.00-17.00__ - see intranet for room details.  
  * Class sessions include lectures, discussions, mentoring sessions, in-class exercises, assignments, and independent study blocks.  
  * Projects are conducted individually or with a team of two students at most.

===== (1) Overview and Objectives =====

The **BA concept seminar** is considered a way to quickly prototype and showcase the thesis project in a **video narrative**.   Students will develop a **conceptual and practical exploration** for their final BA thesis and present the experience they aim to create in the form of:

  * A **3-page project description**  
  * A **prototype/mock-up** showing the core aspects of the interactive experience  
  * A **video showcasing the prototype in use**

A blog documenting the **2-weeks progress is recommended**.

The concept seminar addresses notions in preparation for the final thesis work:

  * What does it mean to make a statement and a contribution to the field of interaction design?
  * How to identify the design, social, and experiential opportunities within the topic of interest?
  * How to define a space of potential design explorations?
  * How to narrow down the topic following personal positioning, approach, and interests?
  * How to present the desired embodied experience that the BA thesis should engender?

===== (2) Course Outline =====

The **2 weeks** are divided into **two parts**:

  - An **investigative week** with quick exercises, iterations, field studies, and achieving a first initial prototype.  
  - A **second week** where students continue the process and summarize their **BA idea and related experience in a video**.

See below for a detailed **calendar**.

===== (3) Expectations and Grading =====

Grades will be based on **class participation and final works**.

  * Contributing to constructive **group feedback** is an essential aspect of class participation.
  * **Regular attendance (80%) is required**. Two or more unexcused absences will affect the final grade. Arriving late on more than one occasion will also affect the grade.

**Grading Breakdown:**

  * **Storytelling (video)** – 30%  
  * **Mock-up** – 30%  
  * **Project Description** – 20%  
  * **Exercises & Class Participation** – 20%

Any assignment that remains unfulfilled receives a **failing grade**.

===== (5) Deliverables =====

  * **Storytelling**  
    - The experience should be presented in a **video format** with a narrative, showcasing the prototype and user's journey.  
    - (Go into the field if needed for your project.)

  * **Prototype/Mock-up**  
    - The mock-up or prototype is the **manifestation of ideas** into a service, product, method, or user experience.  
    - Use basic or advanced materials to showcase ideas in the shape of a **rapid prototype**.  
    - The prototype should be **functional** so it can be experienced when exhibited.

  * **Project Description Update**  
    - A **2-3-page text** answering the following:
      * What is the **context, topic, problem**?
      * Who are the **audience/participants**?
      * Who will be impacted by your design (**people/animals/plants, locations, systems, infrastructures, ecologies**)?
      * What do you want to **create** and **how should it work**?
      * What **values and potential** do you want to address/generate?

The essay expands the **thesis disposition** with observations and conclusions drawn from the **two-week BA concept seminar**.   Sources and bibliography can be used (**classified by genre**: book, book chapter, journal article, conference article, academic thesis, newspaper article, web article, etc.).

===== Important Dates =====

  * **Mock-up to be presented:** 10.1  
  * **Choice of mentor teams to be sent to Johannes via email:** by Monday **13.1, 17:00**  
  * **Storytelling to be presented:** 17.1  
  * **Final Deliverables to be uploaded on the server:** by Monday **20.1 at 9:00**

===== Calendar =====

__See description of exercises below.__

__Miro Board:__ [[https://link.zhdk.ch/baconcept25|link.zhdk.ch/baconcept25]]

===== Exercises =====

__Exercise 1: 20 Ways of Description__ Write down and/or sketch **20 ways to define your thesis project** on post-its and later sort them into categories.   **Define two or three most important statements**.

__Exercise 2: Topic Mapping__ Define **all qualities, parameters, and values** important for your thesis and ambition as a designer.   Find the **most relevant existing projects** that match your criteria.   Use **sketches, photos, or collages** to present projects on your wall.   This mapping will continue & evolve throughout the seminar.

__Exercise 3: Observation / Field Inquiry__ Find out through **quick observation and field inquiry** some elements that could inspire your project direction.   (*It could also be in the form of bodystorming, auto-ethnography, role-playing...*)   Post **photos & findings** on the **Miro Board**.

__Exercise 4: Design Exploration Area (50 Sketches of Design)__ Identify **two or three most important dimensions** of your **topic mapping**.

  - This will be your **"design exploration area"**  
  - Showcase **relevant aspects** to explore further  
  - Define **how to apply criteria** to your design process & outcome  
  - Sketch quickly **50 ideas** to populate your design area  
  - Place them on your **design area** in relation to **criteria and parameters** (sketches, photos, or collages).

__Exercise 5: Develop 2-3 "How Might We" Questions__ Develop two to three **"How Might We" Questions** See: [[https://www.nngroup.com/articles/how-might-we-questions/|NNGroup - How Might We Questions]]

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