Interaction Generative Design – Course Modules

IGD50 Interactive Design Theory

THE Code: IGD 50
ECTS credits: 10
Type of THES: Mandatory
Semester in which it is offered: First (1^st)
Language of instruction: English
Module Outline

Purpose of the CM: The aim of this course module is to understand the concept, basic principles, and parameters of interaction, in the context of computer science (human-computer interaction), the social sciences and the study of human communication (human-to-human interaction). Students study the properties of advantageous interactive systems in the context of a human-computer interface system, as well as the perceptual parameters of inhabiting interactive environments so that they can then apply these parameters onto their design methodology

Learning outcomes: Students will be able to:

• Know the meaning, basic principles and parameters of interaction in the context of computer science, social sciences and studies in human communication.
• Analyze examples of relevant interactive systems.
• Understand the terms of an advantageous interaction and the parameters of its achievement.
• Get to know the perceptual aspects, potential and limitations of inhabiting interactive environments.
• Understand the basic principles of application of the above methodologically and practically in interactive design.

Subjects:

• The concept of interaction
• Conditions for an advantageous interaction
• Theory of aesthetic perception
• Technology of aesthetic perception
• Levels of interaction in action-reaction systems
• Computer system communication with humans and physical environments
• Positive and negative feedback

Evaluation: Completion of written assignments during the academic semester which constitute a 40 percent of each student’s grade, if a pass is obtained in the final or repetitive examination. Final exam grades constitute a 60 percent of the students’ final course grade.

Prerequisites: There are no prerequisites for this CM.

IGD51 Geometric concepts in algorithmic design 1

TH Code: IGD 51
ECTS credits: 10
Type of THES: Mandatory
Semester in which it is offered: First (1^st)
Language of instruction: English
Module Outline

Purpose of the CM: This module has a dual objective. On one hand, it introduces students to basic geometric concepts found in algorithmic design. On a second level, it focuses on issues of visual perception and the creation of optical illusions, using algorithmic design as a tool. The application of the geometric knowledge of this module takes place in the field of visual illusions, with the aim of broadening students’ perception of space and its objects.

Learning outcomes: Students will be able to:

• Understand basic geometric concepts in algorithmic design.
• Understand basic concepts related to the design of curved lines and surfaces in algorithmic design.
• Understand fundamental concepts of topology of space.
• Understand the terms in which an optical illusion is created.
• Know the methods of designing an optical illusion.
• Handle geometrical transformations on the plane and in 3d space, using a parametric tool.
• Draw curves and surfaces by the methods of algorithmic design.
• Design an optical illusion with algorithmic design as a tool.

Subjects:

• Concepts of visual perception in design
• Perspective illusions Introduction to Geometry in algorithmic design 1
• Geometric transformations on the plane and in space
• Elements of curve theory – Curve design methods
• Elements of surface theory – Surface design methods (sketching with algorithms)
• Elements of spatial topology (in NURBS and MESH models) – Topological object transitions between spaces of different dimensions – Projections of higher dimension objects

Evaluation: Completion of written assignments during the academic semester which constitute a 40 percent of each student’s grade, if a pass is obtained in the final or repetitive examination. Final exam grades constitute a 60 percent of the students’ final course grade.

Prerequisites: There are no prerequisites for this CM.

IGD52 Introduction to Algorithmic design

THE Code: IGD 52
ECTS credits: 10
Type of THES: Mandatory
Semester in which it is offered: First (1^st)
Language of instruction: English
Module Outline

Purpose of the CM: The aim of this course module is to introduce students to algorithmic thinking and the use of parametric tools for the design of spaces and objects. Students study the processes of algorithmic description of the form, and understand the capabilities of computational mechanisms for form-finding and optimization, with environmental terms. Algorithmic knowledge acquired in this module is applied in algorithmic thinking exercises and visual code scripting.

Learning outcomes: Students will be able to:

• Understand computational mechanisms for creative processes of generating space and objects according to algorithmic rationales.
• Describe the form and the design parameters of spaces or objects in algorithmic terms and parametric models.
• Manage data structures in algorithmic design.
• Develop criteria and apply methods of form-finding of the designed object or space.
• Apply form optimization methods and environmental criteria in algorithmic design processes.

Subjects:

• Algorithmic design basics
• Parametric modelling and analysis tools (curves, surfaces, planes, vectors etc)
• Data management
• Interactive simulation and Form-finding
• Optimization
• Environmental analysis

Evaluation: Completion of written assignments during the academic semester which constitute a 40 percent of each student’s grade, if a pass is obtained in the final or repetitive examination. Final exam grades constitute a 60 percent of the students’ final course grade.

Prerequisites: There are no prerequisites for this CM.

IGD53 Geometric concepts in algorithmic design 2

THE Code: IGD 53
ECTS credits: 10
Type of THES:Mandatory
Semester in which it is offered: Second (2^nd)
Language of instruction: English
Module Outline

Purpose of the CM: The module is thematically linked to IGD51 and aims at deepening further geometric concepts found in algorithmic design. The aim is to familiarize students with the management of grids and patterns on 2d and 3d space, through the tool of algorithmic design. The aim is also to familiarize students with structures that fill the plane (paving), but also space (space filling). Finally, the aim of the module is the knowledge of elements of holography, to further intensify of students’ perception of space, and on the other hand for the familiarization with the idea of releasing the form of the designed object from its mater.

Learning outcomes: Students will be able to:

• Know elements of the theory of flat decorations and the theory of polyhedrons.
• Manage patterns on curved surfaces.
• Transform grids onto curved surfaces.
• Design polyhedral structures.
• Understand holographic methods of releasing the form of the designed object from its mater.

Subjects:

• Introduction to Geometry in algorithmic design 2
• Projections, Mapping and morphing of grids and patterns – Isoparametric Curves
• Elements of geometric group theory and its application on tessellations – Tessellations and paneling
• Identical curved tiles
• Elements of Polyhedra theory – Space filling technics
• Elements of digital Holography

Evaluation: Completion of written assignments during the academic semester which constitute a 40 percent of each student’s grade, if a pass is obtained in the final or repetitive examination. Final exam grades constitute a 60 percent of the students’ final course grade.

Prerequisites: Successful participation of the CM Geometric concepts in algorithmic design 1 (IGD51).

IGD54 Digital Fabrication Techniques

THE Code: IGD 54
ECTS Credits: 10
Type of THES: Mandatory
Semester in which it is offered: Second (2^nd)
Language of instruction: English
Module Outline

Purpose of the CM: The aim of this course module is to introduce students to the techniques of additive and subtractive digital manufacturing (milling with CNC routers, cutting with Laser cutting machines, and printing with 3D printers). The students understand the potential and limitations of these techniques, depending on the form of the digital model and the materiality of its construction. Through theory and practical application, students understand the workflow between digital design and digital manufacturing, the properties, and limitations of construction materials (wood, acrylic, metal, plastic, etc.), the limitations of digital prototyping machines, and the data that ought to be extracted from the two-dimensional or three-dimensional model for its fabrication.

Learning outcomes: Students will be able to:

• Understand the link between the process of digital design and digital fabrication.
• Understand the capabilities of the subtractive and additive techniques of digital fabrication, as well as their differences.
• Use subtractive and additive digital prototyping machines to construct an object described by a digital model.
• Choose the appropriate digital fabrication method according to the geometrical characteristics of the model, the properties of the construction material and the digital prototyping machines.
• Adapt the digital model according to the capabilities and limitations of digital prototyping machines.

Subjects:

• Introduction in digital fabrication – CAD/CAM workflow
• Subtractive digital fabrication techniques (CNC milling)
• Additive digital fabrication techniques (3D printing)
• Machine protocols
• Material Computation
• File preparation and data export for fabrication (Projection, Nesting, Labelling, Datasheets)

Evaluation: Completion of written assignments during the academic semester which constitute a 40 percent of each student’s grade, if a pass is obtained in the final or repetitive examination. Final exam grades constitute a 60 percent of the students’ final course grade.

Prerequisites: Successful participation of the CM Introduction to algorithmic design (IGD52).

IGD55 Interactions: Algorithmic Sound, Image, Space

THE Code: IGD 55
ECTS Credits: 10
Type of THES: Mandatory
Semester in which it is offered: Second (2^nd)
Language of instruction: English
Module Outline

Purpose of the CM: The aim of this course module is to familiarize students with the methods of designing interactive systems, which might be either performances, audiovisual installations, spaces, or objects. Introduction to the practical use of sensors and actuation devices, programming interactive systems using microprocessors and computer code.

Learning outcomes: Students will be able to:

• Use the methods and parameters of designing interactive events, installations, spaces, or objects in an applied project
• Understand and apply the appropriate sensors and actuators in their interactive projects
• Understand and program interactive systems using specific microprocessors and computational code

Subject:

• Algorithmic design of soundscapes
• Corrective interventions of sound
• Parametric image management
• Image and video projection mapping
• The parameters of a performance design project
• Sensor data recording and actuation in physical space
• Prototyping of electrical circuits
• Human-Machine interface design
• Computer Vision
• Network communication for data exchange
• Programming of interactive systems with Arduino and Processing

Evaluation: Completion of written assignments during the academic semester which constitute a 40 percent of each student’s grade, if a pass is obtained in the final or repetitive examination. Final exam grades constitute a 60 percent of the students’ final course grade.

Prerequisites: Successful participation of the CM Introduction to algorithmic design (IGD52).

IGDDE Dissertation Thesis

THE Code: IGDDE 
ECTS Credits: 30
Type of THES: Mandatory
Semester in which it is offered:Third (3^rd)
Language of instruction:English
Module Outline

Both a project that is relevant to the research work’s subject and an individual text research paper on a subject that was developed in the thematic units of the previous semesters are required.

The general categories of subjects for Postgraduate Diploma Thesis determined by the Director of the postgraduate program after consultation with the Coordinators of the T.U. and are posted on the H.O.U. website, before the start of the period for submission of the relevant statement by the students.

Thematic fields are indicative and are linked to the specialized knowledge areas of the six Thematic Units of the IGD postgraduate program. The subjects proposed by the students may incorporate elements from two or more of these theme areas.

Examples include:

1. Algorithmic design of object or space
2. Geometrical solution of complex surfaces through algorithmic design
3. Algorithmic design of illusory spaces / objects
4. Design details to digital fabrication
5. Designing interactions between human or environment and object or space
6. Optimizations
7. Morphogenetic processes

Learning outcomes: Upon completion of their Postgraduate Diploma Thesis, students will be able to:

• organize synthetic qualitative and quantitative criteria in the design process;
• know the geometric principles that support algorithmic design;
• understand fundamental concepts and processes of algorithmic thinking for spatial design;
• organize synthetic qualitative and quantitative criteria in the design process;
• design using algorithms;
• have a fundamental understanding of digital manufacturing;
• have the ability to develop interactions between designed spaces or objects and people or the environment

For more information regarding the Specifications – Useful Material for writing An MSc Dissertation and submitting it to HOU Repository, please visit the portal http://courses.eap.gr. The General Regulation for the presentation of an MSc Dissertation in postgraduate degree programmes organized on a semi-annual basis is available at https://www.eap.gr/semi-annual-programs/

Prerequisites: The presentation of the Dissertation takes place after successful completion of the program’s Modules.