IXD414, 'Design Systems', Spring 2026
T/R / 12:30-03:10pm / Chalmers 307
Matt Kirkland / mattk@ku.edu

IXD414 - Designing with Systems

This is a studio course about designing digital products for the screen, with an emphasis on designing with systems in mind. This syllabus will be updated with more information throughout the semester. I'll let you know in class about updates.

Questions? mattk@ku.edu.

Spring 2026 Schedule

This is a rough plan; we'll go faster if possible! This schedule will be updated as we progress through the semester. I'll make adjustments as needed for interuptions like weather, conflicts, etc.

Wk Dates Target
01 Jan 20/22 Day 001. Let's get started!
Day 002. Calendar / Clock / Compass kickoff.
02 Jan 27/29 Optional check-in on Jan 27
Day 003. Concept Review.
03 Feb 03/05 Day 004. Prototype Review.
Day 005. Minimum Viable Design System.
04 Feb 10/12 Day 006. MVDS Review. Next steps.
Day 007. Calendar/Clock/Compass Final Crit!
05 Feb 17/19 Day 008. Fearless Inventory kickoff
Day 009. Design Audit Review
06 Feb 24/26 No class on Feb 24. Go to the ArcD career fair!
Day 010. Wireframe review & Guerrilla Testing Plan
07 Mar 03/05 Day 011. Test Review & Styling start
Day 012. Review your first-pass brand application
08 Mar 10/12 Day 013. Inventory check-in
Day 014. Inventory Complete!
-- Mar 17/19 Spring Break - no class, no deliverables
09 Mar 24/26 Day 015. Best One in Your Row Kickoff
Day 016. Components & Prototypes
10 Mar 31/A2 Day 017. Guerilla Testing
Day 018. Extending the system
11 Apr 07/09 Day 019. Best One in Your Row complete!
Day 020. No class on Apr 09
12 Apr 14/16 Design Week! We'll adjust if needed here.
13 Apr 21/23
14 Apr 28/30
15 May 05/07
-- Finals Week! 5/16 at 1.30pm In lieu of a final, you'll be turning in your course site as the final project.
The due date for your site is Friday May 16, at 1.30pm. We will NOT meet to review this; I will just look at your sites at that time.