Assignment 1.2: Group Proposals

Due: Monday, September 30, 3:00pm

This assignment is a component of Milestone 1. Be sure you have reviewed that larger context for this assignment.

The goal of this assignment is to propose multiple specific problems that could form the basis of a design project for this class. Tuesday will then include presenting these for feedback from peers and course staff.

Propose three specific problems that are potentially related to the course theme and could form the basis of a design project for this class.

For each problem, in one paragraph, describe the design problem and motivation. State what the problem is and why it is a problem, or describe an opportunity to enhance an existing practice or approach. Provide enough detail to convince a reader this is a difficult and interesting problem, worth spending a quarter considering.

Ensure each problem or opportunity is significantly different, not small variations on the same idea.

Ensure it is clear why each idea is potentially related to the course theme.

If there are already well-known and widely-available solutions to your idea, explain how these existing solutions fall short or suggest how you may explore a different approach.

Excluded Topics

Some topics can initially appeal to students (e.g., because they correspond to real problems students have encountered), but then ultimately do not support strong differentiation and learning in the project sequence. To help ensure a broader set of project explorations, we have declared some topics to be excluded.

You may not propose a project focused on the domain of home grocery tracking or planning.

If you feel you have an idea that should be allowed in spite of this exclusion (e.g., because the project is differentiated by targeting a specific class of people that opens new ideas), contact the course staff for approval before proposing it.

Submission

Due: Monday, September 30, 3:00pm

Within the Drive folder for course project files:

Identify the Slides deck corresponding to this assignment for your group. The deck provides a template for this assignment. Edit the deck in-place, so that you can easily share it in critique.
Prepare a Slides deck with the following structure:

For each proposal (3 total):
- 1/2 slide: Description of the proposal.

Reminders and requirements:

Submission via Canvas is also required, in support of grading.
- Remove instruction slides and template markings from your deck before submission.
- Export a PDF of your deck, via the menu: File -> Download -> PDF Document (.pdf).
- Because groups are evolving, we have not yet created Canvas project groups. Ensure at least one member of your group individually submits, then we will ensure everybody named in the submission receives credit.
This is a group submission. Ensure your section and names of all group participants are appropriately clear.
Review and follow guidance on Clarity and Presentation.

The Drive folder for course project files is here:

https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1Sm12CpuMNsKBqk6E_Ri875hfFs0A-IRS?usp=drive_link

Submit via Canvas here:

https://canvas.uw.edu/courses/1746586/assignments/9634760

In Class

Be prepared to discuss your three proposed ideas, including sharing your deck with peers for critique.

Completion Grading

This assignment will be graded on completion of 5 components:

Problem and Motivation for Each Unique Proposed Idea (3 total):

Do not submit small variations on the same idea.

Do not submit ideas within an excluded topic.

Be clear why each idea offers at least some potential relationship to the course theme.
Novelty and Creativity:

If there are already well-known and widely-available solutions to your proposed idea, explain how these existing solutions fall short or suggest how you may explore a different approach.
Clarity and Presentation

Prior Samples

Samples are from prior offerings that had different requirements. Samples are also intended only to illustrate a variety of approaches, and were not selected to be ideal or exemplary. These may help to see how prior students approached elements of a project, but be sure to understand and consider requirements and feedback in your own work.