Spring 2009

PSY 341k • Psychology of Design -W

Course Description

Do you often find yourself fighting with the controls on your cell phone, computer, mp3 player, car, stove, adjustable chair, etc.? Do you ever wonder why so many accidents are caused by "human error"? Perhaps part of the problem is attributable to poor product design that does not respect what we know about human cognition. In this course, we will ponder such issues in the context of readings about product design and basic cognitive psychology. From the perspective of human-centered design, we will consider what makes for good and poor products.

Grading Policy

Students will be graded on classroom participation and presentations (30%), short weekly writing assignments (30%), a ten page final project write-up (25%), and in class exercises/design labs (15%).

Texts

The Design of Everyday Things by Donald Norman (ISBN 0385267746) Various primary source journal articles available in pdf format online.

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