Introduction to Design Inquiry
This MIT OpenCourseWare subject examines how computation and design relate, treating both broadly rather than as narrow technical skills. Computation covers digital work on computers as well as by-hand methods, while design covers both the process of creating artifacts and the artifacts themselves. Readings, discussions, and design exercises push students past specific software or techniques toward a critical understanding of the metaphors and assumptions underlying computational design practice. The course asks students to examine their own working methods and biases as designers, drawing on architecture theory and computational thinking together. Materials include the syllabus, assigned readings, and project prompts as published by MIT's Department of Architecture. There is no instructor-led session or certificate, but all course materials are free to access and use for self-study under MIT OpenCourseWare's open license.