Syllabus

Course Overview

The course develops core skills and abilities in fabricating and prototyping interactive systems for technology innovation. You will learn the how and why of physical prototyping and how these principles apply outside the realm of physical fabrication.

You will develop prototypes using additive and subtractive manufacturing processes, and a variety of media including paper/wood, architectural foam, vacuum-formed plastic, 3D printing, laser cutting, and more. Throughout the course, you will engage with these materials and techniques, employing appropriate methods for different stages and iterations of the user-centered design process.

Much of the iterative processes you will learn rely on getting feedback from stakeholders, so there is also an emphasis on giving, receiving, and acting on feedback through a critique culture throughout this course.

Course Structure

This course is structured into weekly modules consisting of:

• One synchronous remote session (90 mins) via Zoom/Teams
• One Saturday in-person session (180 mins, every other weekend)
• Asynchronous activities (guided assignments, lectures, and quizzes)

Course Learning Objectives

By the end of this course, you will:

• Use physical prototyping to resolve problems, communicate ideas, and improve designs.
• Know and recall basic techniques and processes, terms, and concepts used in rapid prototyping and manufacturing.
• Be able to explain the benefits and limitations of using different media and prototyping methods.
• Be able to justify design decisions and articulate a convincing case for design considerations.
• Be able to choose the appropriate approach for different stages of the design process.
• Be able to adapt or create new designs to accommodate existing or new constraints.
• Be able to analyze an existing designed artifact and explain which processes were used to create it.
• Demonstrate competence with materials and fabrication processes available to you at GIX.
• Be able to explain the values of engineering drawings and when they are needed.

Key Projects / Deliverables

Your grade in this class is broken down into the following weighted categories:

• Weekly Assignments: 40%
• Final Project and Portfolio: 45%
• Engagement/In-class activities: 15%

Faculty Introduction/Information

Instructor: Kevin Arne Emai: karne@uw.edu Office: Prototyping Lab Shop Office Office Hours: TBD

Communication

All official communication from the teaching team (e.g., course meetings, grades, due dates, etc.) is via Announcements on Canvas. Please make sure your Canvas Announcements/notifications settings are correct. For absences and grading questions, please email the instructors and all reader/graders. This ensures we are all aware and can reply to you as promptly as possible.

Support

• Your Instructor (karne@uw.edu): Questions regarding course content, assignments, grading.
• Your RG (TBD): For grading explanations.
• H-MSTI Help (gixhelp@uw.edu): Technical issues (CC: Instructor and TA)
• Program Director (karafich@uw.edu): Issues and concerns about the H-MSTI program

Start Here

Before class starts, please:

• Read the syllabus.
• Sign up for an educational license of Fusion with AutoDesk.
• Buy a physical sketchbook.
• Pick up your fabrication kit from GIX.

Weekly Schedule

• Week 1
• Week 2
• Week 3
• Week 4
• Week 5
• Week 6
• Week 7
• Week 8
• Week 9
• Week 10