CSE 481L - Human-AI Interaction Capstone - Spring 2025

Project

Deliverables

Introduction and Idea

Prepare and present 2 slides, in the provided presentation shared by the entire class:

  • 1 slide introducing yourself to the class.
  • 1 slide introducing an idea for a project direction.

Presentation will be limited to 2 minutes.

Slides Due: Wed Apr 2, 8pm

Presentation: In-Class, Thu Apr 3

 

Group Brainstorm

As a potential group, brainstorm 3 possible project directions, in the provided document shared by the entire class:

  • Must be submitted with a group, as represented in the provided signup document.
  • Group membership may also continue to evolve after this assignment.
  • Each idea must not exceed 100 words.
  • Images may be included and do not count against the word limit.
  • Possible project directions may draw inspiration from anything. They must also credit any major inspiration.

Submit via Canvas.

All members of a project group should submit the PDF (i.e., because this is easiest for course staff while groups are still potentially in flux).

Due: Wed Apr 9, 8pm

 

Groups Finalized

Finalize a project group in the provided signup document shared by the entire class.

Due: Sun Apr 13, 8pm

 

Design Proposal

Submit a design proposal that does not exceed 1000 words.

  • Author this assignment in the Drive folder corresponding to your project group.
  • Create a subfolder called "Design Proposal", keep all documents in this folder.
  • Begin by copying the provided template document.
  • Include images where helpful to illustrate your design.
  • Images do not count against the word limit.

Include the following sections:

  • Describe the overall concept of your design.
    • This must not exceed 100 words.
    • An overall design concept might be more than you can implement in this course.
  • Describe the elements of your design within which you will focus your exploration of human-AI interaction.
    • This must not exceed 150 words.
    • Vertical prototyping emphasizes deep exploration of a portion of an overall design. Describe what you intend to deeply design and implement. Ensure this portion of your design emphasizes human-AI interaction.
    • Briefly describe any key aspects of your overall design concept that you will not aim to design and implement. Describe how you anticipate your design process mocking or working around these omissions.
  • Illustrate 3 primary task scenarios. Recall a scenario demonstrates how a task is accomplished with a design.
    • Each scenario must not exceed 200 words.
    • In one sentence, describe the task (i.e., what is accomplished).
    • Use images to illustrate the scenario via a walkthrough of each key step in accomplishing the task with your design. These can be sketches, mockups, or other illustrations of how a person will experience the scenario.
    • Convey the walkthrough in enough detail that course staff can understand step-by-step interaction with your design. We expect each scenario will include multiple images, but do not expect more than 6 images in a scenario. In the next formative research assignment, you will use these scenarios as part of describing your design and seeking feedback from formative research participants.
    • Any text used in the walkthrough does not count against the word limit.
    • Describe your initial exploration of language model support needed in the proposed interaction. Consider when and how your design will invoke the language model throughout the scenario. Consider the expected input and output for these language model invocations. Consider exploring specific prompts, such as by using conversational AI tools or Python notebooks to probe the capabilities needed in your scenario.
    • Summarize key activities and learnings in your initial exploration of language model support. If understanding those requires additional supporting documentation, provide that in the same folder in a human-readable format (e.g., another document, PDFs). Appropriately reference this supporting documentation in your description. We do not intend this to be a burden, so you may decide whether you feel such documentation is necessary for engaging with course staff around your design.
  • Reflect upon your design proposal relative to a principle of human-AI interaction (e.g., a principle articulated in one of the papers discussed in "Principles of Human-AI Interaction").
    • This must not exceed 150 words.
    • Begin by stating and crediting the principle, then reflect on your design proposal relative to that principle.
    • This reflection should focus on a goal for formative research relative to the principle. This will require identifying a principle that is relevant to one or more elements of your design proposal, then reflecting on the need to more thoroughly explore these elements of your design relative to the principle. Consider what decisions you might aim to make, what you might aim to learn, or how your design might evolve in response to formative research.

Submit via Canvas.

Due: Mon Apr 21, 8pm

 

Formative Research

Submit formative research that does not exceed 1200 words.

  • Author this assignment in the Drive folder corresponding to your project group.
  • Create a subfolder called "Formative Research", keep all documents in this folder.
  • Begin by copying the provided template document.
  • Include images where helpful to illustrate your research.
  • Images do not count against the word limit.

Include the following sections:

  • Report on formative research with 2 participants.
    • Each must not exceed 250 words.
    • We generally expect groups will choose to conduct interviews around their design proposal (e.g., seeking feedback on the overall concept and on details of specific scenarios). However, you can choose a research method that is appropriate for your goals.
    • Describe the formative research method used with each participant (e.g., what you aimed to learn, key details of how you applied your method, who the participant was and why you recruited them).
    • Summarize the most important findings from the session. These will be actionable opportunities or insights that changed or refined your thinking about your design.
    • Include specific evidence from your research to support your findings. We generally expect this will be quotes or other specific feedback from the participant.
  • Report on formative research with an AI.
    • This must not exceed 250 words.
    • Because language models can encode human experiences, it has been proposed that they can support design research. For example, see Simulating the Human in HCD with ChatGPT: Redesigning Interaction Design with AI.
    • Describe an exploration of trying to use an AI to gain insights into your design problem or proposed solution. For example, describe what types of insights you hoped AI might provide, how you explored its ability to provide those insights, and how you iterated in your prompting throughout that exploration.
    • If your exploration proves useful, detail the insights that you surfaced. These will be actionable opportunities or insights that changed or refined your thinking about your design.
    • If your exploration does not prove useful, detail why you feel AI responses were not helpful. Describe what you tried in your exploration of whether you could obtain more helpful AI responses.
    • Include specific evidence from your exploration to support your findings. We generally expect this will be excerpts of specific prompts or responses that illustrate your findings.
  • Summarize changes to your design based on your formative research findings.
    • This must not exceed 150 words.
    • Describe how your findings prompted you to changes aspects of your design, being sure to describe the relationship between findings and the resulting changes
    • If your findings have not motivated changes, instead describe how findings validate specific aspects of your existing design.
    • Note you will separately provide updated task scenarios.
  • Describe your planned technology stack.
    • This must not exceed 150 words.
    • Describe a specific combination of technologies you plan to use to implement your design.
    • Provide a rationale for choosing this technology stack. For example, note alternatives you considered and why you prefer your chosen combination.
  • Reflect upon your formative research relative to a principle of human-AI interaction (e.g., a principle articulated in one of the papers discussed in "Principles of Human-AI Interaction").
    • This must not exceed 150 words.
    • Begin by stating and crediting the principle, then reflect on your formative research relative to that principle.
    • This reflection should focus on a specific finding and how it motivated changes or validated your design. This will require identifying a principle that is relevant to one or more elements of your design, then considering your findings and changes relative to the principle. Consider how the finding shaped new understanding of the principle, how your changes align with or were informed by the principle, or how the principle highlights a challenge or design tension around the finding.

Submit your current design in a separate document that does not exceed 700 words.

  • Author this in the same Drive folder.
  • Begin by copying the provided template document.
  • Include images where helpful to illustrate your design.
  • Images do not count against the word limit.

Include the following sections:

  • Summarize your current design. Include a brief description of its overall concept and where you are focusing your exploration of human-AI interaction within that overall concept.
    • This must not exceed 100 words.
    • Each project assignment will include this summary. You may simply copy it forward between assignments, but should ensure it remains current as your design and your approach evolve in the project.
  • Illustrate 3 primary task scenarios. Recall a scenario demonstrates how a task is accomplished with a design. You will continue updating these task scenarios as you develop your design.
    • Each scenario must not exceed 200 words.
    • Each project assignment will include this. You may simply copy it forward between assignments, but should ensure it remains current as your design and your approach evolve in the project.
    • In one sentence, describe the task (i.e., what is accomplished).
    • Use images to illustrate the scenario via a walkthrough of each key step in accomplishing the task with your design. These can be sketches, mockups, or other illustrations of how a person will experience the scenario. As you develop more of your project, these should become screenshots showing interaction with your design.
    • Convey the walkthrough in enough detail that course staff can understand step-by-step interaction with your design. We expect each scenario will include multiple images, but do not expect more than 6 images in a scenario.
    • Any text used in the walkthrough does not count against the word limit.
    • After the walkthrough, highlight key specific changes or details of your design that are most important for understanding your design. Share a brief rationale for those specific aspects of your design.
    • Describe your current understanding of language model support needed in the proposed interaction. Consider when and how your design will invoke the language model throughout the scenario. Consider the expected input and output for these language model invocations.
    • If understanding your approach to language model support requires additional supporting documentation, provide that in the same folder in a human-readable format (e.g., another document, PDFs). Appropriately reference this supporting documentation in your description. We do not intend this to be a burden, so you may decide whether you feel such documentation is necessary for engaging with course staff around your design.

Submit via Canvas.

Due: Wed Apr 30, 8pm

 

Interactive Prototype

Submit an update on your interactive prototype that does not exceed 500 words.

  • Author this assignment in the Drive folder corresponding to your project group.
  • Create a subfolder called "Interactive Prototype", keep all documents in this folder.
  • Begin by copying the provided template document.
  • Include images where helpful to illustrate your prototype.
  • Images do not count against the word limit.

Include the following sections:

  • In one sentence, describe the task scenario that you implemented in your interactive prototype.
    • This does not count against the word limit.
    • You may simply copy it from the design document, but should ensure it reflects what is implemented in your interactive prototype.
  • Summarize changes or new details in your design, as developed through your implementation of this scenario in your interactive prototype.
    • This must not exceed 150 words.
    • Describe how implementing the scenario prompted you to change aspects of your design or define new details in aspects of your design. Be sure to describe the relationship between your implementation process and the resulting changes. For example, describe implementation issues, usability issues, or other issues revealed in your prototyping. Then explain how you changed or defined new detail in your design to manage those issues.
    • If your implementation has not motivated changes or the definition of new details, instead describe how your implementation validates specific aspects of your existing design.
    • If your implementation has not required navigating meaningful issues, consider that you may need to change or grow the scope of your design and your scenarios.
    • Note you will separately provide updated task scenarios.
  • Describe one thing you learned or insight you gained through development of your prototype.
    • This must not exceed 200 words.
    • We are open to a wide range of learning as part of this assignment, including but not limited to learning about your chosen interface framework, your chosen AI tool, or their integration in your prototype.
    • Describe what you learned and how you applied that learning in your prototype.
  • Reflect upon your interactive prototype relative to a principle of human-AI interaction (e.g., a principle articulated in one of the papers discussed in "Principles of Human-AI Interaction").
    • This must not exceed 150 words.
    • Begin by stating and crediting the principle, then reflect on your interactive prototype relative to that principle.
    • This reflection should focus on a specific aspect of your implementation, which could be a technical detail of your implementation or could be a change or new detail in your design. This will require identifying a principle that is relevant to one or more elements of your design, then considering your implementation and changes relative to the principle. Consider how the implementation shaped new understanding of the principle, how your implementation aligns with or was informed by the principle, or how the principle highlights a challenge or design tension around your implementation.

Submit a video demonstrating key functionality of your interactive prototype.

  • Must not exceed 2 minutes in length.
  • Include narration explaining how the task scenario is supported in the prototype.

Ensure the full code of your interactive prototype is committed to your GitLab project.

  • Include a brief README.md that details how to build and run your prototype.
  • You may choose to omit an API key needed to run your prototype. If so, clearly document such additional necessary configuration in the README.
  • Be responsive to any questions from the course staff regarding your prototype.

Submit your current design in a separate document that does not exceed 700 words.

  • Author this in the same Drive folder.
  • Begin by copying the provided template document.
  • Include images where helpful to illustrate your design.
  • Images do not count against the word limit.

Include the following sections:

  • Summarize your current design. Include a brief description of its overall concept and where you are focusing your exploration of human-AI interaction within that overall concept.
    • This must not exceed 100 words.
    • Each project assignment will include this summary. You may simply copy it forward between assignments, but should ensure it remains current as your design and your approach evolve in the project.
  • Illustrate 3 primary task scenarios. Recall a scenario demonstrates how a task is accomplished with a design. You will continue updating these task scenarios as you develop your design.
    • Each scenario must not exceed 200 words.
    • Each project assignment will include this. You may simply copy it forward between assignments, but should ensure it remains current as your design and your approach evolve in the project.
    • In one sentence, describe the task (i.e., what is accomplished).
    • Use images to illustrate the scenario via a walkthrough of each key step in accomplishing the task with your design. These can be sketches, mockups, or other illustrations of how a person will experience the scenario. As you develop more of your project, these should become screenshots showing interaction with your design.
    • Convey the walkthrough in enough detail that course staff can understand step-by-step interaction with your design. We expect each scenario will include multiple images, but do not expect more than 6 images in a scenario.
    • Any text used in the walkthrough does not count against the word limit.
    • After the walkthrough, highlight key specific changes or details of your design that are most important for understanding your design. Share a brief rationale for those specific aspects of your design.
    • Describe your current understanding of language model support needed in the proposed interaction. Consider when and how your design will invoke the language model throughout the scenario. Consider the expected input and output for these language model invocations.
    • If understanding your approach to language model support requires additional supporting documentation, provide that in the same folder in a human-readable format (e.g., another document, PDFs). Appropriately reference this supporting documentation in your description. We do not intend this to be a burden, so you may decide whether you feel such documentation is necessary for engaging with course staff around your design.

Submit via Canvas.

Due: Sun May 11, 8pm

Peer Evaluation and Testing

  • TODO: Joint responsibility, team propose how it wants feedback, but then also you volunteer feedback.
  • TODO: Planned revisions

Submit via Canvas.

Due: Sun May 18, 8pm

Revised Prototype

  • TODO: Must have at least two integrated scenarios.
  • TODO: Scope of vertical prototype should be clear.
  • TODO: Video.
  • TODO: May revise design scenarios. For scenarios now implemented, could be a walkthrough.
  • TODO: Revisions and/or rationale.

Due: Sun May 25, 8pm

Usability Testing and Final Prototype

  • TODO: Must have at least three integrated scenarios.
  • TODO: Scope of vertical prototype should be clear.
  • TODO: Video.
  • TODO: May revise design scenarios. For scenarios now implemented, could be a walkthrough.
  • TODO: Revisions and/or rationale.

Due: Fri May 30, 8pm

Project Poster, Presentation, and Showcase

Poster Due: Fri May 30, 8pm

Poster Session: In-Class, Thu Jun 5