DESIGN 478 A: Information Design

DESIGN 478: Information Design is an advanced visual design course in information visualization. The course is restricted to undergraduate and graduate students in the UW Division of Design, School of Art + Art History + Design and selected students in the UW MHCI+D program. The course is full. Enrolled students, please note the UW Design Division First Day Policy.

If you are not a UW Design or UW MHCI+D student and you wish to request a seat in the class, please email me at kcheng@uw.edu. In your email, please include a link to your online visual design portfolio, or attach a PDF (10MB maximum) of your design work. Please also explain your prior experience and qualifications in visual design.

COURSE CALENDAR:
Available here as a Google spreadsheet.
This calendar is subject to change by faculty as needed.

FACULTY:
Professor Karen Cheng | kcheng@uw.edu 
Office Hours before class on Thursday, or by appointment via Zoom.

COURSE GOALS:
The purpose of this class is to help students develop the skills necessary to research, analyze, and present information in a compelling visual narrative. Specifically, students will:
—Research and assemble a comprehensive set of information and data
—Transform this research into clear and persuasive information/data graphics
—Organize information/data graphics (and text) into an engaging story
—Discuss, analyze and evaluate effective and ineffective information design

Previous examples of student projects from this course may be viewed at:
https://www.flickr.com/photos/85594841@N00/albums/72157647457696413

EXPECTATIONS
This course is being taught in-person. Students have the best learning experience when all class members are on time and prepared with their work at every course meeting.

However, if you become infected with COVID-19 or any other illness, please do not come to class; follow the guidelines on this COVID-19 flowchart. Note that I will mask during the first two weeks of the quarter, because case counts typically spike at UW when more than 12,000 students arrive after traveling nationally or internationally. UW encourages all students to get the CDC recommended COVID booster and annual flu shot. 

If you have a personal or medical issue that causes intermittent or chronic lateness and/or insufficient preparation, please let me and your teammates know as soon as possible so that we can adjust our expectations and accommodate your needs.

In the event that you need to miss class, please let me know as soon as possible via email. Also, please be sure to have at least two other student colleagues in the class who you can contact (via email and/or text) to review any missed discussions or assignments. If your absence is caused by an unexpected illness or personal emergency that will have ongoing impacts, I am happy to discuss providing appropriate accommodations for your situation.

LAPTOP POLICY

All UW Design majors must have a laptop computer, as described here. However, during lecture and critique, do not use laptops or your phone to take notes. Multiple studies have shown that devices in the classroom inhibit learning because they are a distraction to both primary users and secondary observers. Therefore, unless you need a device for assistive technology to accommodate a documented learning disability, please take notes by hand in a paper notebook. Note: if you are consistent with your notebooks, they can be an excellent record of your creative process, as documented by Michael Bierut of Pentagram. 

GRADING
Grading is based on: 1)The quality of the final project—both visual and conceptual; 2) The design process—i.e., the extent of exploration and variation completed over the quarter; 3) Class participation, as assessed by peer evaluations and during critiques.

3.9–4.0 is given to a student who has exhibited the highest possible performance in all aspects of the course — the final project, the design process and class participation are excellent. Work is prepared with care/attention to detail and presented on time for all critiques/work sessions. This student independently seeks out additional information on design topics related to the course and is highly committed/passionate about their work.

3.5–3.8 is given to a student who exhibits superior performance in all aspects of the course—the final projects, design process and class participation are of high quality. Work is well-prepared and presented on time for all critiques/work sessions. This student has a thorough understanding of concepts being presented and is strongly self-motivated to improve and succeed.

3.2–3.4 is given to a student who has good performance in most aspects of the course. This student follows a thorough design process, produces solid design work and consistently participates in class. Work is prepared properly and presented on time for almost all critiques/work sessions. This student clearly understands most design concepts being presented.

2.8–3.1 is given to a student who has fair performance in most aspects of the course. This student follows a design process that could be expanded/improved. Work is not always prepared properly and/or presented in a timely manner. The resulting design work is fair, with inconsistent participation in critiques/work sessions. This student demonstrates an incomplete understanding of the course concepts being presented.

2.5–2.8 is given to a student who has low performance in the course. The final work is weak in quality, with a design process that reflects inadequate exploration and development. Class participation is minimal, and reflects an incomplete understanding of concepts being presented. The student has been unprepared for critique/work sessions on several occasions (late or improper presentation).

2.0–2.4 is given to a student with poor performance in the course. Projects are of an inferior quality, and reflect a sub-standard and incomplete design process. Preparation for critique/work sessions is inadequate (late or improper presentation). This student seldom participates in class, and fails to demonstrate adequate understanding of concepts being presented. This student is not prepared for subsequent courses in design.

0.0–2.0 is given to a student with very low performance in the course. Projects are deficient and/or defective in quality. The design process is negligible and/or very weak. Preparation for critique and/or work sessions is inadequate (late or improper presentation). This student rarely participates in class and demonstrates little understanding of the concepts being presented. This student is not prepared for subsequent courses in design.

UW / SOAAHD / DESIGN POLICIES

UW SOAHHD Policies
UW Design Program Policies
Please use this form to fill out for after-hours swipe card access to the Art Building via the loading zone doors. 

Washington state law requires that UW develop a policy for accommodation of student absences or significant hardship due to reasons of faith or conscience, or for organized religious activities. The UW’s policy, including more information about how to request an accommodation, is available at Religious Accommodations Policy. Accommodations must be requested within the first two weeks of this course using the Religious Accommodations Request Form.