Q1DaraCunningham

Document Q1DaraCunningham

1. Your Name

Dara Cunningham

2. Your field of study?

Design and Planning and Cognitive Science

3. In which semester of study are you?

6

4. Why are you interested in taking this course?

This course is a continuation of the Digital and Social Systems class I took last semester. The course topics mesh nicely with my PhD research focus.

5. What courses / work activities / background knowledge do you have which might be relevant to this course?

I have been a graphic designer, art director, information designer, instructional designer, and instructor. I have a Bachelor of Fine Arts, a Master of Arts in Information and Learning Technologies, and am currently working on my PhD in Design and Planning and Cognitive Science.

6. Indicate your own digital literacy / fluency:
6.1. Describe your programming experience (languages, projects)

I have worked with HTML and coding Web sites since 1995. I know and teach HTML, XHTML, CSS, and JavaScript. I'm also familiar with Python.

6.2. What applications are you familiar with (e.g. Photoshop, Canvas, Dreamweaver,...)?

I am familiar with and teach:

• Photoshop
• Dreamweaver
• Illustrator
• InDesign
• Acrobat Professional

7. Give a brief description of the most important book / article which you have read with respect to the topic of the course.

I have long admired IDEO for their innovative approach to design and business. The Art of Innovation: Lessons in Creativity from IDEO, America's Leading Design Firm, by Tom Kelley, is an inspirational book for me.

8. What do you hope and expect to learn from this course?

I hope and expect to learn new ways to problem-solve and create new designs that are useful and usable in innovative ways.