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This course will offer an in-depth in­tro­duc­tion to com­mu­ni­ca­tion de­sign the­ory, ex­am­in­ing the­o­ret­i­cal per­spec­tives of de­sign prac­tice within the larger dis­course of de­sign and vi­sual cul­ture. Com­mu­ni­ca­tion mod­els, the na­ture of rep­re­sen­ta­tion, the di­men­sions of con­text and semi­otics will be ex­plored through crit­i­cal read­ings from key doc­u­ments writ­ten be­tween the early decades of the twen­ti­eth cen­tury and the pre­sent. We will be look­ing at two types of the­o­ries: gen­er­a­tive the­o­ries, that ex­plain the “how” of vi­sual com­mu­ni­ca­tion; and crit­i­cal/so­cio­cul­tural the­o­ries that ex­plain the “what, where, and when” of de­sign, or the his­tor­i­cal, cul­tural and so­cial con­texts. By de­vel­op­ing the abil­ity to look at de­sign through these dif­fer­ent lenses, pro­fes­sional de­sign­ers can en­hance the qual­ity of their de­ci­sion-mak­ing and have a bet­ter grasp on the mul­ti­ple con­texts and frame­works for clients and au­di­ences. We can bet­ter un­der­stand and eval­u­ate the many is­sues about local us­abil­ity and use­ful­ness within broader con­texts of ethics, aes­thet­ics, pro­fes­sional and so­cial re­spon­si­bil­ity.

This course will offer an in-depth introduction to communication design theory, examining theoretical perspectives of design practice within the larger discourse of design and visual culture. Communication models, the nature of representation, the dimensions of context and semiotics will be explored through critical readings from key documents written between the early decades of the twentieth century and the present. We will be looking at two types of theories: generative theories, that explain the “how” of visual communication; and critical/sociocultural theories that explain the “what, where, and when” of design, or the historical, cultural and social contexts. By developing the ability to look at design through these different lenses, professional designers can enhance the quality of their decision-making and have a better grasp on the multiple contexts and frameworks for clients and audiences. We can better understand and evaluate the many issues about local usability and usefulness within broader contexts of ethics, aesthetics, professional and social responsibility.

User Ex­pe­ri­ence (UX) De­sign is an es­sen­tial com­po­nent in de­vel­op­ing web­sites, ap­pli­ca­tions, and any other type of prod­uct in­tended to be used by peo­ple. This course ex­am­ines the lead­ing con­cepts of user—­centered de­sign through read­ings, dis­cus­sions and as­sign­ments. Prac­ti­cal con­cerns in­clude eval­u­a­tion of tech­nol­ogy needed to cre­ate or main­tain web­sites; and ex­plo­ration of a step ­by ­step process for cre­at­ing prod­ucts using flow charts, con­tent trees and schemat­ics. Stu­dents will also gain an un­der­stand­ing of is­sues sur­round­ing us­abil­ity on the Web, knowl­edge man­age­ment and Web strat­egy.

User Experience (UX) Design is an essential component in developing websites, applications, and any other type of product intended to be used by people. This course examines the leading concepts of user—­centered design through readings, discussions and assignments. Practical concerns include evaluation of technology needed to create or maintain websites; and exploration of a step ­by ­step process for creating products using flow charts, content trees and schematics. Students will also gain an understanding of issues surrounding usability on the Web, knowledge management and Web strategy.