Prerequisites: INST362 and INST367

This course introduces students to user research and agile design process inspired by heritage and awareness month themes. Students conduct fieldwork such as interviews, observations, and heuristic evaluations to explore community needs and cultural contexts. Using a modified Google Ventures Design Sprint, teams design and test real-world solutions in collaboration with community partners. Students will have opportunities to receive feedback from graduate student mentors through bi-weekly online check-ins and two in-person meetings, where they will present their workand gather input, while all students will gain hands-on experience working with external partners such as community leaders and cultural organizations. The course emphasizes teamwork, communication, and project management in hybrid and distributed environments to support meaningful impact in communities around us.