Visually-oriented classes
(From DGr:)
Russell does a FANTASTIC job in this area. However, his class may be overloaded with ID students, and we need much more than one class.
Though this isn't my current, direct area of research, my degrees are both in graphic design, in addition to working as one for 8 years (mostly at and for Apple Computer) and teraching graphic design/visual communication for the past 17 years. These include years teaching in Fine Arts, Communications, English and Computer Science.
(From AA:)
Students need practice creating:
• visually communicating ideas/concepts
• interface mockups
• storyboards
• interaction/experience scenarios
• product forms
• info flow diagrams
Using both pencil and paper sketching and more refined versions with drawing programs.
Also, I'd like to see "interface design" (large screen, small screen, controllers, etc) as a separate skill area.
The visual perception side of cognition and HCI should also be built on here ...
not sure it that comes under this category (vs cognition and culture
courses). But just in case -- For example (in no particular order), gestalt
principles of perception, foreground/background, colour, motion, models of
light, luminance etc ...