I am teaching and developing curriculum for the upper-division class, Principles of Usability — a core class for the Academy of Art University’s MFA in Web and New Media. I teach students about human-centered design, prototyping, testing, and iteration. The skills learned in this class can be applied to a number of domains, not just digital products and services.
I encourage my students to work ideas out on paper first, before moving to the computer.
Here, Affinity Diagrams are being used for team brainstorming:
I strive to create a warm, collaborative environment for my students — many of whom are new to the U.S.
My teaching emphasizes User Experience “soft skills” such as Observation, Empathy, and Storytelling. These skills will equip students to become thoughtful, capable User Experience Designers, regardless of platform or technology.
