Project Schedule and Requirements

Team projects will be done in teams of 2-4 students (outside exceptional circumstances approved by instructor).

You will create a new software tool to solve a problem of your client (see the Project Ideas section below for brainstorming).

Part 1: Initial Ideas

Pitch your initial ideas on Piazza. Be as complete as possible: client, problem, tools planned to use, images…

Create a Piazza post:

• Make the title your names and the project title, like so: Project Title – Name1, Name2…

• Make the folder project.

• Ensure no other team has selected that idea already. If so, pick a new one or merge.

Part 2: Critique

Find two existing posts in project from other teams and reply to their post with a critique of their ideas. Try to be as helpful as possible: additional links/tools/references.

Part 3: Proposal

Update your complete/revised proposal on Piazza. Be as complete as possible: client, problem, tools planned to use, images, and related work…

Update your Piazza post:

• Flush out the details from before.

• Link to 10-15 pieces of related work, formatted like a reference list. Write one sentence describing the relevance of each.

Part 4: Designs

Update your Piazza post with at least two competing versions of your design, in whatever format you like (images, Balsamiq, PowerPoint, paper prototypes) with descriptions of how they will work and interaction techniques utilized.

Part 5: Usability

Update your Piazza post with 4-8 usability test questions you could use to evaluate the efficacy of your tool.

Part 6: Drafts

Update your Piazza post. Upload a draft of your paper, video, and links to your demo (if applicable).

Part 7: Presentations

Present in class your project as if speaking at a conference or workshop. This can include slides, video, live demo. Your presentation should be 40 minutes long, including questions. Shoot for at least 30 minutes of content.

Please ensure you bring any necessary adapters, chargers, etc. for presenting the tutorial on the projector.

Part 8: Paper & Materials

Final version of paper, video, demo, and slides are due uploaded/linked on your project Piazza post.

Grading Criteria

Your team projects are the largest portion of your grade and it takes a great deal of work on your end to be successful. Likewise, they will take much of my time to evaluate throughout the course. I will do my best to give each project the consideration it deserves, though it may take me several days.

I will write responses on Piazza or by email each step along the way with my detailed comments.

At the end of the course, I’ll consider which teams to encourage to submit their work at academic venues (possibly with revisions/improvements beforehand).

In particular, I expect to see academic-level contributions suitable for at least a workshop submission:

• Ambitious but completed projects

• Innovative design or algorithmic contributions

• A mature solution that has gone through several iterations of improvement

• A live, functional demo available online usable by others

• Suitable evaluations through usability tests, case studies, etc.

• A clear and polished written report, video, and presentation. If you are not clear on how to write academic-style articles, please see some of the examples of class reading and guides online. Also discuss with the instructor. Some key points: Readable figures, clear organization, concise and clear writing describing the problem/background literature/design/conclusions/future work.

• The report should include a section crediting who did what for the project, as well as any acknowledgements.

This project should be something you can be proud of! A potential publication, entry in your portfolio for employers, beginning of a research direction…

Project Ideas

See our Piazza post.