*Please note the class start and end date:
1st 7-weeks : 02/03/2025 - 03/21/2025
2nd 7-weeks: 03/24/2025 - 05/16/2025
Section 001 (1st 7-weeks)
Topic: Activating the City: Media Tech for the Public Realm
With Helena Rong /Thursdays 12:45-3:30 p.m.
Course fee: None
Description:
This Experience Studio section provides an opportunity for students to learn about experience design in practice. We will begin the course by exploring the intersection of media technologies and the public realm, focusing on how tactical urbanism strategies and digital interventions have been used to revitalize public spaces. Through case studies and field trips in Shanghai (e.g. Panlong Tiandi) in collaboration with our community partner Shui On Land, we will examine how various design interventions have been used to engage communities, enhance cultural vibrancy, and activate urban spaces in innovative ways, particularly within the context of Shanghai’s urban regeneration efforts. Throughout the course, students will work on designing interactive experiences that energize and enhance the public realm in cities. These may include integrating interactive installations or digital storytelling to transform the urban environment and foster community engagement. At the end of the course, we will reflect on how these interventions reshape the experience of the public realm and the role technology plays in making urban spaces more dynamic, inclusive, and connected.
Section 002 (2nd 7-weeks)
Topic: Encountering Web 3.0: Rethinking Governance and Institutions
With Helena Rong /Wednesdays 12:45-3:30 p.m.
Course fee: None
Description:
This Experience Studio section provides an opportunity for students to learn about experience design in practice. We will start the course by discussing the foundations of Web3 technology, exploring how blockchains, decentralized networks, and digital tokens can reshape the way we collaborate and coordinate in society. Through case studies and guest speakers, we will delve into how decentralized autonomous organizations (DAOs), token-based economies, and smart contracts are rethinking traditional coordination mechanisms, from finance and supply chains to decision-making and identity management. Throughout the course, students will work on designing and prototyping a solution using Web3 principles. This may involve creating new models for how communities organize, how resources are distributed, or how information is verified and shared transparently through decentralized platforms. At the end of the course, we will reflect on how these projects illuminate the potential of Web3 technologies to address societal challenges, fostering new imaginations for governance and collective decision-making.
Section 003 (1st 7-weeks)
Topic: Visual Storytelling through Short Films: Capturing Shanghai
With Fabian Fröhlich /Wednesdays 12:45-3:30 p.m.
Course fee: None
Description:
This Experience Studio section provides an opportunity for students to learn about experience design in practice. Students will practise the essential skills required to capture and create cinematic stories, which work on multiple platforms. Students will learn the fundamentals of visual storytelling and the technical aspects of short film production with limited resources through the framework of experience design. The course theme focuses on visualizing the character of the city Shanghai. Students will capture public spaces in Shanghai or create a Behind-the-scene video of local businesses. Throughout the Studio students will cover key areas such as cinematography, directing, and editing with PremierePro in service of designing and conveying a narrative experience of the city of Shanghai. Students will balance between creative vision and practical production skills, ensuring an understanding of both the artistic and technical sides of filmmaking. By the end of the Studio, students will have captured and presented an original experience of the city conveyed through the medium of filmmaking, including a short portfolio piece demonstrating their ability to create engaging and polished moving images.
Section 004 (2nd 7-weeks)
Topic: Virtual and Augmented Reality: Capturing Shanghai
With Fabian Fröhlich /Wednesdays 12:45-3:30 p.m.
Course fee: None
Description:
This Experience Studio section provides an opportunity for students to learn about Virtual Reality (VR), Augmented Reality (AR), and 360-degree video production. We will start the course with discussions and using VR headsets focused on the affordances of immersive media. Students will also gain insights into the challenges and progress of immersive media products. Throughout the course students will learn how to create engaging 360-degree videos, and develop a minimal AR prototype. Through hands-on projects and guided tutorials, participants will gain basic skills in immersive media technologies and explore their applications in storytelling, education, and entertainment. At the end of the course, we will reflect on and synthesize how immersive media can act as an educational and entertaining experience. Ideal for beginners without coding experience with an interest in emerging technologies.
Section 005 (2nd 7-weeks)
Topic: Visual Storytelling through Short Films: Capturing Shanghai
With Fabian Fröhlich /Thursdays 12:45-3:30 p.m.
Course fee: None
Description:
This Experience Studio section provides an opportunity for students to learn about experience design in practice. Students will practise the essential skills required to capture and create cinematic stories, which work on multiple platforms. Students will learn the fundamentals of visual storytelling and the technical aspects of short film production with limited resources through the framework of experience design. The course theme focuses on visualizing the character of the city Shanghai. Students will capture public spaces in Shanghai or create a Behind-the-scene video of local businesses. Throughout the Studio students will cover key areas such as cinematography, directing, and editing with PremierePro in service of designing and conveying a narrative experience of the city of Shanghai. Students will balance between creative vision and practical production skills, ensuring an understanding of both the artistic and technical sides of filmmaking. By the end of the Studio, students will have captured and presented an original experience of the city conveyed through the medium of filmmaking, including a short portfolio piece demonstrating their ability to create engaging and polished moving images.
Section 006 (1st 7-weeks)
Topic: Shaping the Future of Aging
With Yanyue Yuan / Wednesdays 12:45-3:30 p.m.
Course fee: None
Description:
This Experience Studio section provides an opportunity for students to learn about experience design in practice. We will start the course with discussions and field trips focused on the aging society at both global and local levels, exploring the challenges faced by the elderly population. Students will also gain insights into the challenges and progress of building Alzheimer-friendly communities. Throughout the course, students will create a life album prototype for one of their grandparents (or an elder family member). In parallel, students will design a life album template that can be used by others to foster meaningful interactions between younger and older generations and cover key aspects and significant moments of an older person’s life. At the end of the course, we will reflect on and synthesize how personal, intergenerational conversations documented in the life albums can deepen our understanding of the challenges faced by an aging society and foster empathy across generations.
Section 007 (1st 7-weeks)
Topic: Airport Experience Design
With Anna Hopper / Wednesdays 12:45-3:30 p.m.
Course fee: 1600RMB + transportation
Description:
This Experience Studio section provides an opportunity for students to learn about experience design in practice. We will start the course with readings, discussions, and a weekend field trip to Singapore's Changi Airport, focused on understanding the background of airports as unique ecosystems: their histories, design characteristics, and functionalities. Students will explore challenges of airport experience design from different stakeholder perspectives. They will also gain insights into the challenges and progress of airport and transportation development as well as examine the role that airports play in the city and the broader urban landscape. Throughout the course, students will engage in user experience design and analysis exercises, culminating in a developed design for an improved airport experience that is supported by academic research and precedents. At the end of the course, we will reflect on and synthesize how user experience design fundamentals can be effectively applied to shaping immersive, spatial experiences, especially not only in the case of airports but also in broader transportation and urban contexts.
Section 008 (1st 7-weeks)
Topic: Welcome to the City: Urban Tourism in Hong Kong and Shanghai
With Anna Hopper / Wednesdays 3:45-6:30 p.m.
Course fee: 1550RMB + transportation
Description:
This Experience Studio section provides an opportunity for students to learn about experience design in practice. We will start the course with readings and discussions focused on understanding fundamentals of experience design in tourism. A weekend field trip to Hong Kong, combined with local Shanghai field assignments, will allow us to compare and contrast the urban tourism experience in these two unique cities from the differing perspectives of visitors and locals. Students will specifically investigate city branding and marketing strategies, the role of transportation and other supporting infrastructure, and the interaction of tourists with historical and cultural sights within the city. They will also examine how cities shape visitor experiences and adapt to meet the evolving needs of tourists and locals. Based on these learnings and supported by additional academic research, they will develop a design for an urban tourism experience. At the end of the course, we will reflect on and synthesize how tourism design choices influence visitors' experience and understanding of the city as well as how they impact the lives of local residents and the urban environment.
Section 009 (1st 7-weeks)
Topic: Urban Food Stories
With Emily Tsiang / Fridays 2:15-5 p.m.
Course fee: 200RMB
Description:
Have you ever wondered what stories lie behind the foodie spots you love? This studio focuses on the art of designing immersive food tour experiences. Students will explore the narratives behind a local food scene, uncovering cultural and historical contexts while crafting sensory-rich tours that showcase a unique part of the city. Through field research and experience design frameworks, students will learn to create culinary journeys that offer participants a deeper connection to the city. (This is not a food history course, more of an urban studies exploration through foodie experiences)
Section 010(2nd 7-weeks)
Topic: Retail Experience Innovation for Sustainability – Build Your First Charity Pop-Up Store
With Candy Yang / Fridays 2:15-5 p.m.
Course fee: None
Description:
This Experience Studio provides an opportunity for students to learn about experience design in practice.This course offers a unique opportunity to explore retail experience design in partnership with Buy For Two, China’s largest O2O charity retail platform, where 53% of the full-time workforce comprises individuals with disabilities. We will start with discussions and field trips to Buy For Two's retail shops, allowing students to gain hands-on insights into daily operations and understand the intricacies of building a profitable, socially responsible business. Throughout the course, students will collaborate to enhance the retail experience for Buy For Two. They will design and build a pop-up shop on campus, applying principles of retail innovation and social impact.At the end of the course, students will reflect on their projects and discuss how experience design can contribute to both profitability and social good in sustainable retail.
Section 011(1st 7-weeks)
Topic: Bicycle Kingdom: The Business and Culture of Bicycles in Shanghai
With David Wang / Thursdays 12:45-3:30 p.m.
Course fee: None
Description:
This Experience Studio section provides an opportunity for students to learn about experience design in practice. China was once celebrated as the "bicycle kingdom of the world" as it created massive cycling infrastructure, manufactured the vast majority of the world's bikes, and the most cyclist-commuters in history. Yet, today the bicycle is no longer the mobility aspiration for consumers, workers, nor families. What's changed? In this course, we use market research, product design, and hands-on fabrication skills to explore today's cycling culture in Shanghai and envision its future. Students will be asked to go into the field to identify mobility behaviors and needs of today's consumer and create multimedia stories about cycling behaviors and products. After taking this class, students should expect to have direct experience creating media content to promote how products can influence consumer behaviors. Classes will be held at a grassroots, local bike shop, Brook & Breeze (Shanghai, Changning District, 1221 Yan'an Rd)
Section 012(1st 7-weeks)
Topic: Future Museum Service Innovation
With Rudy Wimmer / Fridays 2:15-5 p.m.
Course fee: None
Description:
This Experience Studio provides an opportunity for students to learn about Service Design in practice. This course offers a unique opportunity for students to explore and contribute to the development of Future Museum Services, aimed reframing the engagement between Spaces and Communities. The course will be parting with Fotografiska Shanghai and peer museums, that already push the boundaries for how Museums contribute to society, while also being sustainable models. We will start with dialog and discussions in some of Shanghai’s cutting edge museums, to form perspectives and insights into the existing challenges, offerings and landscape for Shanghai Museum market. Throughout the course, students will collaborate as teams using service design methods and tools, scope out the needs of museums and customers by conducting agile design research, participate in co-creation and prototyping of service concepts, with the aim to develop their concepts into temporary service pop-up within the museum. ( Co-Creation and Prototyping Service Design will also be co-facilitated with external partners). At the end of the course, students will reflect on the process, interactions, and project outcomes as they relate to supporting Museums Futures efforts to engage communities and be viable through value creation.