CURRENT CLASSES AT PRATT INSTITUTE

Data PHysicalization (I-697)

Data physicalization is a growing creative area that focuses on data representation and communication through the creation of physical objects, both complementing and providing an alternative to visual, sonic, and narrative techniques. We will explore the history of data physicalization and the many forms it has taken, from early forms of stone counting and clay tablets to models made of wood, wire, and string to contemporary expressions of data in the forms of weaving, quilting, knitting, and sculpture. This course explores the affordances of different materials in relation to data with an emphasis on expression, interpretation, and physical form. Students will develop skills in data research and analysis, as well as experiment with different materials across various contexts. Students will research and develop a final project and create an original data physicalization. This course is co-taught with Chris Sula and Claudia Berger.

VISUAL COMMUNICATION & INFORMATION DESIGN (I-641)

This course explores the principles and practices of visual communication as it pertains to displaying information of different types and in different formats. The course will cover basic theories of graphic design, including concepts related to typography, color, layout, and composition, how to analyze and conceptualize visual messages, and how to recognize and create a strong visual hierarchy. Students will gain skills necessary for practical application, learn how to establish and follow brand/identity guidelines, and prepare work for print or web production. Throughout the course, students will improve their basic aesthetic sensibilities, learn how to create a cohesive visual language, and develop strong visual thinking skills.

SUSTAINABLE INTERACTION DESIGN (1-671)

This course provides students with foundational knowledge in the area of sustainable interaction design, with an emphasis on contemporary work in human-computer interaction and related design fields. This course will provide a theoretical foundation in contemporary environmental thought as well as practical experience in researching, concepting, and designing for sustainability outcomes. This course will cover areas of design that are important to the UX field, including agriculture and food, animals and conservation, land, ocean, and air pollution, materiality, production, and biomimicry, as well as issues of environmental and social justice related to these areas. Students will engage with hands-on projects that put theory into practice as they explore the ideas presented in this course. Final projects will provide an opportunity to produce a creative project, such as a design prototype or a research-based project. At the end of this course, students will be able to engage with the sustainable interaction design discourse and will be prepared to contribute research and/or design work in a wide variety of environmental settings.

ANIMALS & Experience Design (I-697)

Animal-Computer Interaction (ACI) is a growing field of study that examines the relationship between animals and digital technology. This includes designing and building technology specifically for animals, as well as creating tracking and monitoring tools for humans to better understand animals and how they interact within their environment, particularly in the context of wildlife biology and conservation. There are numerous contexts in which animals are already affected by technology, such as agriculture, zoos, and domestic pets, who often encounter technology in their everyday lives. Additionally, the natural world is increasingly mediated with digital technologies that have consequences for wildlife and animals who live in close contact with urban areas. This course explores different dimensions of ACI, including the theoretical foundations of the field and emerging methodologies that help us design for and with animals. Additionally, we will explore the history of animals in relation to technology more broadly, as well as the ethical, social, cultural, and ecological dimensions that inform our approach to creating and utilizing technology around animals and their habitats, with a focus on sustainability and multispecies futures. 

Speculative Design (I-650)

Speculative Design aims to think about big, long-term societal issues that can be addressed within and through design and technology. In this class, we explore a range of speculative methods that help us think about various futures. This includes looking at other fields that speculate about futures, such as fiction, film, and art, which have a long tradition of imagining alternative futures. This course explores how we can think about design not as a commodity, but as a tool for critique and knowledge expansion. Students will develop their own final projects with an emphasis on climate futures and multispecies well-being.

Storytelling, Design, and Information (1-697)

Storytelling and narrative are essential elements in information and communication design. This course brings storytelling together with design and information studies to explore the various ways we interact with and create stories. We will learn about stories in many different forms, including fiction and nonfiction, print and digital journalism, film, marketing, social media, scrollytelling, audio podcasting, and oral storytelling. We will also consider design itself as a mechanism for telling stories, especially in relation to infographics, data visualization, and interactive stories. This class will examine different elements of narrative, from structure, time, and plot to character development, style, and rhythm. We will analyze the affordances and limitations of different mediums, as we practice telling stories in different forms.

INFORMATION ARCHITECTURE & INTERACTION DESIGN (I-643)

This course provides students with practical knowledge and hands-on experience designing digital interfaces from a user-centered perspective through an exploration of the dual practices of information architecture and interaction design. Students will go through the entire user-centered design lifecycle, from concept to prototype, and in the process will 1) learn about and employ a variety of design methods aimed at understanding users and their contexts and 2) learn about and use appropriate tools and media to create a range of design deliverables that effectively communicate design insights. At the conclusion of this course, students will have a foundation of knowledge and skills that will prepare them to do practical design work in a variety of settings and organizations.