back to ENG 303 Syllabus

Try to make optimal use of your time. If you have questions about terminology or about the task, ask Sandy!

Option 1: The Design of Everyday Things
Follow the guidelines set out in the Norman readings. Produce a single document.

  • Each group member choose an object from your backpack or pockets
  • Individually, write down the affordances of theobject
  • Each group member reads the affordances to the group.
  • As a group, choose one of the objects and elaborate the description of its affordances to include its constraints and mappings
  • Describe our conceptual model of the object - what is the system image?
  • Propose a re-design for the object, with a clear rationale for what will change in the system image and how this will transform the conceptual model

Option 2: Information Architecture
Follow the guidelines set out in the Rosenfeld & Morville reading. Produce a single document.

  • Individually, create data about someone you know - a roommate or friend. Imagine that you are creating an entry in a database or home page. What information do you want to convey? What words/labels would you use? Labels might be physical, personal, interests, etc. You decide.
  • As a group, compare the data. Create a controlled vocabulary that labels and organizes all the data.
  • There should be several different ways to organize and view this data. Think of at least 3 different types of labeling and organization sysems schemes to describe the data to capture these alternatives.
  • Imagine a web site about the group. Sketch out the site according to an organizational scheme.
  • Think of at least 3 different ways of navigating the site, giving maximum access to the different types of data and labeling.
  • Imagine a front-end/interface to the site, reflecting the organizational scheme. Whimsical? Ominous? Metaphorical? ...