PGTE
5588
|
201130
|
Faculty:
Joel Murphy
An introduction to the principals and practice of cybernetics as it applies to the design of systems be they mechanical, biological, or social. This class provides a theoretical framework for modeling and understanding control, communication, and feedback in systems. In our hyper complex, multi layered world of processes and communication, we use and are used by cybernetic systems all the time. A critical understanding of concepts and underlying theory is important for designers who are creating and evaluating interactive systems. Through a combination of essential readings, presentations, and practical projects, students will gain conceptual tools for applied work in computation, physical computing, game design, web design, Parsonstware application, and information architecture. Applied projects will take two forms: learning to identify and formalize real world environments; and translating formal systems into concrete examples or simulations. Critique will emphasize pragmatic ways in which cybernetic theory provides a strong grounding for developing design strategies, shaping design outcomes, and defining criteria and methods for project evaluation.Open to:
