George Guffey

Almost all designed objects and systems involve interaction¿how people understand, navigate, and respond to things over time. This core skills studio, part of the Designed Objects core sequence, introduces students to tools and methods for designing and communicating interactive experiences across physical objects, screen-based interfaces, and virtual environments.
Students learn professional visual communication and prototyping tools used to articulate interaction, including interface prototyping, vector illustration, typography, visual composition, and basic data visualization. These tools support design development and the communication of storyboarded scenarios, user research insights, system flows, and finished proposals for physical and digital experiences.

The course introduces industry-standard platforms such as Figma and Adobe Express, alongside core interaction design methods including flow diagrams, wireframes, scenario mapping, and introductory user testing. Emphasis is placed on using these tools as thinking instruments for understanding behavior, feedback, and use over time.

Who this course is for:
Alongside 3D Modeling and Designing Interaction, this course is part of the Designed Objects core skills group, supporting students as they move through the three-course Core Studio sequence. It is an excellent first Designed Objects class and an accessible entry point into design at SAIC. There are no prerequisites, and students at all levels are welcome.
While the course makes use of screen-based tools and interface prototyping software, it is not a web design course. Students primarily interested in designing or building websites should consider courses specifically focused on those areas.

When to take it:
This course is a required component of the Designed Objects core sequence and is recommended early in the program, ideally alongside or shortly after the first core studio.

As products incorporate increasingly complex displays, functionality, and intelligence, their usability can become a challenge. This studio-seminar explores methods for designing intuitive and effective interfaces that enhance both the usability and overall experience of a device. Through presentations, discussions, and hands-on exercises, students will analyze existing interfaces and devices, identifying strengths and weaknesses in their design. The course emphasizes the integration of user interface (UI) and industrial design (ID) to create seamless, visually cohesive, and functionally intuitive products. Students will engage in critical evaluation of real-world examples and apply digital media tools to prototype the interface and interaction components of their own design projects. Key topics include understanding user behavior, mapping device functionality, designing appropriate two-way communication, and developing graphic elements that support usability. By the end of the course, students will have a deeper understanding of interface design as a critical factor in product development, enabling them to craft more user-centered, visually compelling, and engaging product experiences.