description:
press the ok button. select the text. drag the slider to scroll. we know these activities very well from our daily interactions with the modern graphical user interface. our successful interaction with computers relies heavily upon over two decades of research devoted to making computers easier to use. however there has been little emphasis on core issues in visual communication design in the interface due to the common assumption that a 3D-ized interface equates to an ample sensitivity to issues in design. This course focus upons spotlighting expressive properties that are unique to the computing medium as a means to introduce a set of liberating extensions to the interface designer's vocabulary.

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instructor:
prof. john maeda, e15-448, x3-3133, maeda@media.mit.edu

course secretary (archivist of handouts, et cetera):
elizabeth marrin, e15-443, x3-0356, caprice@media.mit.edu

meeting times:
lectures: tuesday, friday 1-2:30, e15-095

required text:
design: principles & problems (ordered and in stock)
zelanski & fisher

enrollment is limited to 15. preliminary class list.

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feb 4
* design & art history 1
* ps 1 handed out

feb 7
* design & art history 2

feb 11
* text 1
* ps1 due. ps2 handed out.

feb 14
* text 2. EXAM 1.

feb 17
* graphics 1
* ps2 due. ps3 handed out.

feb 21
* graphics 2

feb 24
* typography 1
* ps3 due. ps4 handed out.

feb 28
* typography 2

mar 4
* dynamics 1
* ps 4 due. ps 5 handed out.

mar 7
* dynamics 2
* EXAM 2.

mar 10
* internal input 1
* ps 5 due. ps6 handed out.

mar 14
* internal input 2

mar 17
* external input 1
* ps 6 due. ps 7 handed out.

mar 21
* external input 2

mar 24
* SPRING BREAK

mar 28
* SPRING BREAK

apr 1
* network input 1
* ps 7 due. ps 8 handed out.

apr 4
* network input 2

apr 8
* display 1
* ps 8 due. final project handout. EXAM 3.

apr 11
* display 2

apr 15
* display 3
* project design due.

apr 18
* design review

apr 22
* PATRIOT's DAY

apr 25
* studio

apr 29
* studio

may 2
* studio

may 5
* project review 1

may 9
* project review 2

may 13
* final lecture

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text:
design: principles and problems
paul zelanski & mary pat fisher

computer facilities:
all problem sets will be done in java. please specify at the beginning of the term how you will personally find access to java language facilities.

handouts:
provided at class.

exams:
3 exams

grading:
your grade will be determined as a weighted average: 50% homework, 40% final project, 10% class participation

obligatory policy statement:
working together on problem sets is an efficient way to complete them, but your originality will suffer.

late homework:
since the problem sets build upon each successive installment, late homework will not be accepted. under no circumstances will you receive credit for a problem set that is turned in late.