UX/AR: Discovering/Recovering Hidden Narratives Through Designed Experiences and Interactive Media

Course justification and description of course goals and development activities Introduction + Overview

As technology advances and creative fields such as film and design remain situated in a continual state of change and transformation, opportunities to test the boundaries of software and hardware serve as important steps in the development of educational courses and curriculum. Affording access to industry software, tools, and resources, however, is just one part of a larger equation when ensuring that students are prepared for professional careers. Identifying practical yet meaningful ways of using technology to engage audiences and enhance lived experiences presents a greater challenge.

Course Description + Justification
A new course developed through the support of the Internet of Things Collaborative (IOTC ) provides just such an opportunity to leverage the strengths of design and film—two fields that are particularly equipped to bridge gaps between technology and human interaction—towards the development of immersive experiences. We propose, consequently, a new special topics course for students in Graphic Design and Film & Media Studies titled ​UX/AR: Discovering/Recovering Hidden Narratives Through Designed Experiences and Interactive Media​. Students will collaborate across disciplines to communicate stories about underrepresented and marginalized communities in the Cleveland area that may otherwise be overlooked or in danger of becoming lost. The specific content and project scope will be developed based on student input and research, but projects will ultimately focus on uncovering, recovering, and discovering stories of our people and geography through the application of user experience (UX) and augmented reality (AR). These projects will be disseminated through IoT based-platforms, such as an AR application which facilitates embedding video in public spaces, which then becomes available through mobile devices. The new course would fulfill upper-level major requirements for both film and design students, and would only open to students who have fulfilled pre-requisites within their respective major or received permission from the instructors.