Course Description
This studio-based course focuses on the end-to-end design and development of immersive digital products using extended reality technologies, including virtual reality, augmented reality, and mixed reality systems. It integrates principles from product design, user experience, human perception, interaction design, and immersive media production to guide students through the conceptualization, prototyping, and evaluation of XR-based applications across cultural, educational, entertainment, and entrepreneurial contexts.
Students work in interdisciplinary teams to address real-world design challenges, developing functional immersive prototypes informed by user research, technological feasibility, and strategic objectives. The studio emphasizes iterative design processes, rapid prototyping, usability testing, and experiential evaluation, fostering both creative exploration and professional product development practices.
Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to:
Knowledge
- Demonstrate advanced understanding of XR technologies, platforms, and immersive design principles
- Explain perceptual, cognitive, and interaction dynamics in virtual and augmented environments
- Analyze product design frameworks specific to immersive digital experiences
Skills
- Conduct user research and experience mapping for XR applications
- Design and prototype immersive products using XR development tools
- Integrate interaction mechanics, spatial interfaces, and narrative elements
- Evaluate usability, engagement, and performance of immersive products
Competencies
- Apply human-centered design to immersive technology development
- Translate conceptual ideas into functional XR product prototypes
- Collaborate effectively in interdisciplinary design and development teams
- Balance technological constraints with experiential quality and strategic goals
Key Topics Covered
- XR platforms, hardware, and development ecosystems
- Immersive interaction design and spatial interfaces
- User experience design for virtual and augmented environments
- Prototyping workflows and rapid iteration
- Real-time engines and immersive content creation tools
- Usability testing and experience evaluation in XR
- Narrative integration and experiential storytelling
- Accessibility and comfort in immersive design
- Ethical considerations in immersive product development
- Productization and deployment strategies for XR applications