SYSI 1002 · Human-Centred Design: Affordances, Patterns, and the User

Led by Normanesque Affordance Simulacrum

Human-centred design from Norman's affordances and the design of everyday things through Alexander's pattern languages, error-tolerant design, and designing AI interfaces that serve human needs.

1. Module 1

   Norman's Affordances: The Design of Everyday Things

   Led by Normanesque Affordance Simulacrum

   The question

   Norman's Affordances: The Design of Everyday Things: this module examines the concept in its full depth, drawing on the theoretical foundations, empirical evidence, and practical applications relevant to systems intelligence in the AI age.

   Outcome

   The student can describe, explain, and apply the key concepts of this module to real-world systems design challenges. (Norman's Affordances)

   Sub-units

   1. ○ 1.1 Affordances: What the Object Tells You About How to Use It Open this unit → ✓ ↻
   2. ○ 1.2 Signifiers: Making Affordances Visible Open this unit → ✓ ↻
   3. ○ 1.3 Mapping: The Relationship Between Controls and Their Effects Open this unit → ✓ ↻
   4. ○ 1.4 Feedback: Communicating the Result of an Action Open this unit → ✓ ↻
   5. ○ 1.5 The Gulf of Execution and the Gulf of Evaluation Open this unit → ✓ ↻
   Begin the course → Print certificate of completion
2. Module 2

   Alexander's Pattern Languages: Capturing Timeless Design Solutions

   Led by Normanesque Affordance Simulacrum

   The question

   Alexander's Pattern Languages: Capturing Timeless Design Solutions: this module examines the concept in its full depth, drawing on the theoretical foundations, empirical evidence, and practical applications relevant to systems intelligence in the AI age.

   Outcome

   The student can describe, explain, and apply the key concepts of this module to real-world systems design challenges. (Alexander's Pattern Languages)

   Sub-units

   1. ○ 2.1 What Is a Pattern? Context, Problem, Solution Open this unit → ✓ ↻
   2. ○ 2.2 The Pattern Language: A Network of Connected Patterns Open this unit → ✓ ↻
   3. ○ 2.3 Patterns at Every Scale: From Room Layout to City Planning Open this unit → ✓ ↻
   4. ○ 2.4 The Quality Without a Name: What Makes a Design Feel Alive Open this unit → ✓ ↻
   5. ○ 2.5 Design Patterns in Software: Alexander's Influence on Computing Open this unit → ✓ ↻
   Open this module → Print certificate of completion
3. Module 3

   Error-Tolerant Design: Designing for Human Fallibility

   Led by Normanesque Affordance Simulacrum

   The question

   Error-Tolerant Design: Designing for Human Fallibility: this module examines the concept in its full depth, drawing on the theoretical foundations, empirical evidence, and practical applications relevant to systems intelligence in the AI age.

   Outcome

   The student can describe, explain, and apply the key concepts of this module to real-world systems design challenges. (Error-Tolerant Design)

   Sub-units

   1. ○ 3.1 Human Error Is Not the Problem: Bad Design Is the Problem Open this unit → ✓ ↻
   2. ○ 3.2 Slips and Mistakes: Two Types of Error with Different Solutions Open this unit → ✓ ↻
   3. ○ 3.3 Forcing Functions: Design That Makes Errors Impossible Open this unit → ✓ ↻
   4. ○ 3.4 Undo and Recovery: Design That Makes Errors Reversible Open this unit → ✓ ↻
   5. ○ 3.5 Error-Tolerant AI: Designing AI Systems That Expect Human Error Open this unit → ✓ ↻
   Open this module → Print certificate of completion
4. Module 4

   Participatory Design: Including the User in the Design Process

   Led by Normanesque Affordance Simulacrum

   The question

   Participatory Design: Including the User in the Design Process: this module examines the concept in its full depth, drawing on the theoretical foundations, empirical evidence, and practical applications relevant to systems intelligence in the AI age.

   Outcome

   The student can describe, explain, and apply the key concepts of this module to real-world systems design challenges. (Participatory Design)

   Sub-units

   1. ○ 4.1 The Expert Fallacy: Why Designers Cannot Substitute for Users Open this unit → ✓ ↻
   2. ○ 4.2 Contextual Inquiry: Observing Users in Their Natural Environment Open this unit → ✓ ↻
   3. ○ 4.3 Prototyping and Iteration: Design Through Making and Testing Open this unit → ✓ ↻
   4. ○ 4.4 Co-Design: Designing With Users, Not For Them Open this unit → ✓ ↻
   5. ○ 4.5 Participatory Design of AI: Involving Affected Communities in Algorithm Design Open this unit → ✓ ↻
   Open this module → Print certificate of completion
5. Module 5

   Designing AI Interfaces: Making Machine Intelligence Legible to Humans

   Led by Normanesque Affordance Simulacrum

   The question

   Designing AI Interfaces: Making Machine Intelligence Legible to Humans: this module examines the concept in its full depth, drawing on the theoretical foundations, empirical evidence, and practical applications relevant to systems intelligence in the AI age.

   Outcome

   The student can describe, explain, and apply the key concepts of this module to real-world systems design challenges. (Designing AI Interfaces)

   Sub-units

   1. ○ 5.1 Explainability: Why the User Needs to Understand the Machine's Reasoning Open this unit → ✓ ↻
   2. ○ 5.2 Trust Calibration: Designing Interfaces That Prevent Over-Trust and Under-Trust Open this unit → ✓ ↻
   3. ○ 5.3 Human-in-the-Loop: When and How to Keep the Human in Control Open this unit → ✓ ↻
   4. ○ 5.4 Contestability: Designing Systems Whose Decisions Can Be Challenged Open this unit → ✓ ↻
   5. ○ 5.5 The Future of Human-AI Interaction: Collaboration, Not Replacement Open this unit → ✓ ↻
   Open this module → Print certificate of completion