Introduction to Design for Non-Designers

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Introduction to Designfor Non-Designers

• Beth Harrison, PhD
• University of Dayton
• lt elizabeth.harrison_at_udayton.edu gt

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Agenda

• What is design why do we care?
• Good design defined
• Elements of critical thinking
• Practice making informed, conscious choices

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What is design?

• What do you think?

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What is design?

• Choices we make as we create things,
  environments, relationships
• We are ALL designers!
• To plan something for a specific role or purpose
  or effect
• Intentional, with purpose in mind

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Why do we care?

• Environments disable!
• Environments disable!
• Environments disable!
• Environments disable!
• ENVIRONMENTS DISABLE!

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• What sorts of things do we design in DS?

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What do we design in DS?

• Language
• Images
• Spaces
• Interactions
• Relationships
• Materials print, audio, web

• Requirements
• Learning environments
• Testing environments
• Processes

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What is good design? (1)

• For designers, traditionally good design
  functionality aesthetic appeal
• functionality
• Aesthetic Appeal

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Whats good design? (2)

• Good design accessible, inclusive
  design
• Functionality / Accessibility
• Usability
• Aesthetic appeal

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With a partner . . .

• Think of something in your life that is NOT well
  designed, that just doesnt work for you. Why
  doesnt it work?

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Its all about (good) design

• Good design
• takes time
• is a process, not a product
• asks for continuous critical reflection and
  creativity
• There is no formula!

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• What does all this mean for us as DS providers?
• We make design choices everyday
• We are in a position to discuss design choices
  made around our institutions
• We need to make conscious, intentional design
  choices everyday

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• How can we think differently about the choices we
  make?
• Elements of thought,
• from the Foundation for Critical Thinking
• www.criticalthinking.org

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8 Elements of Thought

• Purpose
• Question at issue
• Information
• Interpretation inferences
• Concepts, theories, definitions, etc.

• Assumptions
• Implications consequences
• Point of view

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Questions to ask (1)

• What is the need? (purpose)
• What are the results you would like to achieve?
  (goals)
• Concrete
• Affective (feelings, values)
• What are the design parameters? (info)

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Questions to ask (2)

• What are some possible solutions?
• What concepts, theories, principles apply?
• What assumptions underlie all of the above?

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Questions to ask (3)

• What are the implications of each possible
  solution?
• Consider various stakeholders points of view.

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Lets try . . .