ID420 USER RESEARCH IN DESIGN

Course Code:1250420
METU Credit (Theoretical-Laboratory hours/week):3 (3.00 - 0.00)
ECTS Credit:4.0
Department:Industrial Design
Language of Instruction:English
Level of Study:Undergraduate
Course Coordinator:Lecturer EVREN AKAR
Offered Semester:Fall Semesters.

Course Objectives

This course aims to teach basic user research methods and tools. At the end of the course students should be able to conduct a user research project in which methods like interviews, surveys, field observation, document analysis, content analysis, exploratory statistics are used. 


Course Content

This course is an introduction to methods for identifying user needs and innovation opportunities in industrial design projects. Course themes include data collection procedures in user research such as participant observation and interviewing, types of data analysis procedures, development of design criteria based on user research, and how to create design briefs.


Course Learning Outcomes

Learning how to conduct a user research

  • How to prepare for an interview study
  • How to prepare a survey questionnaire
  • How to make field observation
  • How to do a content analysis
  • How to do a document analysis
  • How to make exploratory statitics

Program Outcomes Matrix

Level of Contribution
#Program Outcomes0123
1Creative problem defining and solving.
2Planning and managing the design process.
3Presenting and conveying design solutions orally, in written and visually (2D and 3D).
4Planning, managing and evaluating the results of design-focused research.
5Contributing to the design of products in order to raise the life quality of the society.
6Generating and applying knowledge to serve sustainable production and life.
7Competency in intellectual and industrial property rights.
8Awareness of and sensitivity towards societal, institutional, individual and contextual differences.
9Awarenes of social and cultural facts and continuous change.
10Competency in economic, industrial and technological developments.
11Continuous development of professional knowledge, skills and approaches.
12Competency in the processes and actions in professional life.
13Adaptation to the different working environments and processes that the profession necessitates, and contributing to the development and improvement of these environments.
14Ability in working within teams.
15Giving importance to interdisciplinary interactions.

0: No Contribution 1: Little Contribution 2: Partial Contribution 3: Full Contribution