History 9832B: Interactive Exhibit Design (Winter 2013)

History 9832B is a studio course on interactive exhibit design, intended primarily for public historians and digital humanists. Students will learn how to create interactive exhibits through a series of hands-on projects that teach the basics of interaction design, physical computing, and desktop fabrication. No prior experience is necessary, but History 9808A: Digital History might be useful if you don’t have much experience with computers. Preference will be given to students in the public history MA program, but other graduate students may take it with my permission. Contact me at wturkel@uwo.ca for more information.

Students

Combined Blog Feed | Combined Twitter Feed
Anderson, Stephanie.
Arseneau, Jesika (@JesikaArseneau). Jesika Arseneau.
Dal Bello, Vanessa (@VanessaDB20). History in a Digital World.
Fong, Jasmine (@jasminewfong). Jasmine W Fong.
Gagnon, Erica (@erriiccaag). Erica Gagnon.
Hall-Coates, Charlotte (@Charlottehall88). charlotehall88.
Johnson, Paulina (@paulinareghan). Paulina Reghan History.
Muhammedi, Shezan (@shezmuh). Doctor in Training.
Naccarato, Cristina. (@crustina). Make Things Happen.
Pacey, Shane (@ShanePacey). Shane556’s Blog.
Prajapti, Bhavin.
Sguigna, Jenifer (@jensguigna). Life as a Historiophile.
Start, Mary Beth (@marybethstart). Thoughts on the Past.
Weitz, Caileen (@caileenweitz). Bringing History to the Public.

Schedule

09 Jan. Making Things
16 Jan. Multimedia in Max
23 Jan. Sensing with Phidgets
30 Jan. Initial Project Design
06 Feb. Stepwise Refinement
13 Feb. Work on Projects
20 Feb. READING WEEK
27 Feb. Work on Projects
06 Mar. Work on Projects
13 Mar. Work on Projects
20 Mar. Work on Projects
27 Mar. Work on Projects
03 Apr. Work on Projects
10 Apr. Presentation of Final Projects

Required Software

Students must purchase a license for Cycling 74’s Max 6 + Gen software. A 12-month license costs US $80. This software is installed on some of the machines in the classroom so you don’t have to purchase it right away, but you will eventually want a copy for your own project. For this course you only need the 12-month license, but a permanent license is also available for US $300 if you would like to continue to program in Max in the future. The software is available for both Windows and Mac computers.

Evaluation

In this course you will be graded on your documentation of the design process (25%), the project(s) that you develop (40%), your presentation of the project(s) in multiple media (25%), and reflective blogging (10%). As with History 9808A, your final grade will reflect how much you’ve learned or accomplished in this course, rather than any overall level of technical attainment.

You will notice that there are not any formal assignments for the course. I expect you to document your design process regularly on your blog and in other media.

Workspaces

We have three spaces where you will be able to work on your projects. The digital classroom Lawson Hall 2270C, where the course meets, has a number of iMacs with Max 6 and Gen installed and an overhead LCD projector. At the beginning of most classes, I will use the room to give brief demonstrations before students begin working on their own projects. The digital lab Lawson Hall 2270B has more computers, printers, scanners, a computer-controlled paper cutter, a vinyl sign cutter, cameras and recorders, and Wacom Cintiq pen displays. LH 2270B and 2270C are appropriate for digital work; photography, videography and audio production; light construction tasks such as sewing, or working with paper, plastic, foamcore or cardboard; and for solderless electronics. Unfortunately, you won’t be able to store things in the room. Contact me if you need to store work-in-process and we’ll figure something out. You can also contact me to borrow cameras, tripods, lighting kits, digital audio recorders, a green screen, real-time 3D scanners (Kinect and Xtion) and other equipment that is usually locked up.

I also have a very small laboratory on the 9th floor of the Social Science Centre (9326 & 9331). You are welcome to work in the laboratory when I am there, which will be on Mondays and Wednesdays. Unfortunately, the lab only holds about 3 or 4 people, so you will have to contact me in advance and schedule a time when you want to use it. The lab has facilities for 3D printing, 3D scanning, light CNC milling, very light woodwork, moldmaking and casting, soldering, and advanced electronics (there is an oscilloscope, circuit design lab and very large supply of active and passive components). You might also occasionally arrange to use the lab when Devon Elliott is going to be working there, although you will not be able to engage in the full range of activities if I am not present (for safety reasons). Devon is a PhD student who is working with me and using desktop fabrication and physical computing for his own dissertation research.

Winter 2011 Projects