Data-Centric Design for Connected Products

This is a theme course of IPD theme 1: Knowledge and Intelligence Design (KInD).

This course explores the intersection of data and design in the context of connected products. You learn how to use data as a material for subjective inquiry, from thin to thick data and small to big data. You investigate what role data can play in the human-centred and participatory design process of connected and intelligent products and services. You explore ways to acquire, explore, interpret, reflect on data such as time series data from an activity tracker, textual data from products reviews, or 360 naturalistic videos from YouTubers. Furthermore, you apply techniques to these data to enrich designers' knowledge about the context and their empathy for the users. You use this material to connect with stakeholders, particularly people whose behaviour is represented in the data. Through a series of lectures and hands-on activities, you develop the skills and knowledge needed to enrich the design process of connected products through a blend of observational, telemetric and subjective data.

The study goals of this course will be assessed by:

- Individual digital exam (60%), closed book, multiple choice and open questions

- Group report with oral Q&A session (40%)

In groups, you experiment with a diverse set of data activities inspired by the material of the course to gain first-hand experience and develop a Data-Centric Design method. You deliver an experience paper presenting a series of data activities you experimented with, leading to the elaboration of a Data-Centric Design method. The assessment team use this to give the group a grade. As a group, you meet the Data and Design panel, composed of researchers and design practitioners with expertise at the intersection of data and design, for a Q&A session. They have read your data-centric design method, and ask you questions about it. You also fill out a BuddyCheck questionnaire several times during the course to monitor the healthiness of the group. Both the Q&A session and BuddyCheck can inform individual adjustment of the group grade.