It's Design Week for the Spring 2021 Semester. This time of year, we usually invite our students, staff, faculty, the greater CMU community and the public at large to join us in our design studios and workspaces as we view and celebrate all of the work and projects our students put together over the course of a semester. Unfortunately, we can't get together physcially this time of year, but that doesn't mean you don't have the opportunity to take in some of our design presentations and shows!
Below is a list of classes that are holding public presentations. All presentations will require an RSVP to attend. All times are EST.
Monday, May 3rd
8:20 - 9:40am - Transition Design Seminar
Project teams have spent the entire semester looking at complex, "wicked" problems in Pittsburgh through the lense of Transition Design. Their work has included mapping a wicked problem and its stakeholder relations; tracing its historical evolution; developing speculative visions of a long-term future in which the problem has been resolved; developing 'ecologies' of systems interventions with the potential to solve for multiple issues simultaneously. For more information see: https://transitiondesignseminarcmu.net/
Tuesday, May 4th
12:20 - 1:40pm - Systems
The first half of first year undergraduate students will present their wicked problem maps and talk about design interventions they have come up with to mitigate their wicked problems.
Wednesday, May 5th
1:30 - 2:30pm - Persuasion
We invite the public to come visit "Persuade Us! The Exhibition". A show that curates a series of artifacts adopting different approaches and tactics of persuasion that students have developed during the second part of the semester.
Thursday, May 6th
9:00 - 10:20am - Environments Studio/Lab II
12:20 - 1:40pm - Systems Part II
The second half of first year undergraduate students will present their wicked problem maps and talk about design interventions they have come up with to mitigate their wicked problems.
Monday, May 10th
4:00 - 5:20pm - Cultures
Cajita Watch Party. Cajita means "little box." Sophomores in the SoD thought of this "little box" as a creative vessel in which they connected the knowledge they gained in the course regarding aspects of difference that make up for various kinds of human. They explore meaning, purpose and values that represent them as persons and as designers. The event will be a watch party streaming 2-minute-long videos prepared by students where they explain their concepts and design decisions. Perfect for drop-ins or for engaging with the entire session along with some popcorn.
Tuesday, May 11th
Products Studio and Prototyping Lab
9:30-11:30: Final Project Review (PH27 - limited space for outside attendees)
1:30-4:00pm: If you are on campus and passing through Porter Hall, stop by to take a look at some of the work our Sophomores have put together this semester!
11:30 - 1:30pm - Designing Experiences for Learning
Throughout the semester, students worked in small teams to investigate a range of theories as they relate to designing experiences that aid learning and understanding in informal contexts. Their topics include financial literacy, lifelong learning, interactions with others, health and wellness, and sustainability. The teams identified opportunities where they believe they can improve learners' understanding of important information through design. Their work aims to motivate learners' engagement, hold their attention, support their acquistion of knowledge and skills, and aid their memory retention. The students will present their learning experience models and prototypes in a manner that strives to be enjoyable, meaningful, and memorable—matching their project goals. We hope you can join us!
11:30-12:30: Team Presentations
12:30-1:30: Breakout Room Conversations with Teams; Please sign up for sessions before the start of the review.
2:10 - 5:10pm - Product Design Studio IV: Part 1
Wednesday, May 12th
11:00 - 11:50am - First Year Show
Work from Design Lab, Collaborative Visualizing, Systems, and Digital Photography I
2:00 - 5:00pm - Graduate Design Studio II
Thursday, May 13th
8:30 - 11:30am - MA Studio: Intro to IxD
Join us as students present the outcomes for our final project, "Beyond the Screen." In this exercise, students design a system of components that work together to support a user or community of users as they attempt to achieve some practical goal. This product ecosystem includes multiple touchpoints across multiple channels (e.g., digital apps and services, physical goods, wearables, ambient indicators, wayfinding/signage systems, other print materials, and/or service-oriented interactions between people). At least one component must be delivered in a channel that is not screen-based. Feel free to drop in—you're welcome to attend all or part of the sessions.
11:00 - 11:50am - Communications Studio IV
1:00 - 3:00pm - C Studio II & Lab II
2:00 - 4:20pm - Environments IV: Intelligence in Enviroments
2:10 - 5:10pm - Product Design Studio IV: Part 2
Friday, May 14th
10:00 - 12:00pm - MDes II Public Exhibition of Theses
Please join the second year MDes students in a series of short informal conversations about their thesis work. The session will function similarly to a science fair exhibition. The students are eager to share the thinking, prototypes, and discoveries that have emerged from their year-long study. Thank you for your interest and we hope you can participate in the lively and thought-provoking event!
Please review students' thesis presentations, which they delivered in April, prior to the session (will be available Monday, May 10). Please add your name to time slots for chats with specific students by Wednesday, May 12. (Note, to help students best prepare for their sessions, please be sure to attend if you add your name to the sign-up sheet. Thank you.)