Prototyping/2025-2026/XPUB2

Compared to last year, prototyping is a bit different this year. Where in the first year prototyping provided you with a lot of input, the second year is all about you processing this input (mixed with other sources of input of course), to find something specific that you would like to focus on this year.

In the beginning of the year, it is quite likely that you do not know exactly yet what this focus point is, and that's oke! ☺ The prototyping classes will support you in this search, in different ways, through:

• prototyping (of course!)
• peer learning
• tutorial support
• public try-outs/release events

An important note to add is that you can choose to work collectively or individually throughout the whole year, or find a combination of the two. You cannot write a thesis collectively, but you can graduate with a collective research project! Maybe some parts of your prototyping research are done collectively, while other parts are done on your own. Or maybe you and others work on something very specific that is presented within a collective framework at the gradshow. Just find a way of working that works for you!

Another important note to add is that the thesis and the research project (can) go hand-in-hand! It is up to you how you combine the two, we recommend to not approach these as two separate things. How can the one feed the other and visa-versa?

The public try-outs/release events of this year:

• XPUB try-outs night #1: Monday 1 December 2025 @ PZI
• XPUB try-outs night #2: Monday 16 March 2026 @ Leeszaal?
• XPUB gradshow: July? 2026 @ ???

Trimester 1

To support the explorative making process of your research this year, we will focus on making a range of prototypes this trimester! The idea is that you make (at least) 5 prototypes in the coming 10 weeks, either collectively or individually. A prototype can be many things: different (small) performative situations, a range of mini-games, a technical exploration, a material research, a range of tools made with a specific intention, a series of scripts for writing particular stories, a set of poetic webpages... (etc!). Make sure that (1) these prototypes can stand on their own feet to some degree, in other words: they don't need your presence to be meaningful to someone else; and (2) that you document them well.

To activate and share your process, we will organise peer learning workshops every Monday morning. During these sessions you are asked to translate your research (in whatever state it currently is) into a workshop. The format of this workshop is totally open and up to you to fill in. These workshops can be hosted collectively or individually and will last 1 hour, after which we will take 30 minutes for a conversation and feedback moment. This makes the workshops short, which is something to keep in mind for your preparations, and will force you to filter something out of all the things that you in the middle of. Each of you is asked to do at least one, there are 18 slots in total, so there is space to do a second one eventually.

There will be time in the afternoon for tutorials, again in groups or individually -- that's up to you, in which you can ask for any kind of support, related to your prototypes, workshop or adjacent things.

At the end of the trimester we will organise a XPUB try-outs night on the 4th floor of the PZI!

SESSION 0

Monday 16 September
with Manetta

• morning: Welcome to prototyping season II!
• afternoon: Q&A with Michael + tutorials (individual this week, in groups of 3)
  • 14:00-15:00 - Q&A with Michael
  • 15:00-16:00 - ... + ... + ...
  • 16:00-17:00 - ... + ... + ...

https://pad.xpub.nl/p/XPUB2-prototyping-sept-15

SESSION 1

Monday 23 September
with Manetta

• morning: workshops
  • 5 minute conference how to not dual boot (Kiara can show life examples)
  • pirate radio workshop!
  • knitting 101
• afternoon: tutorials (individual this week, in groups of 3)
  • 14:00-15:00 - ... + ... + ...
  • 15:00-16:00 - ... + ... + ...
  • 16:00-17:00 - ... + ... + ...

SESSION 2

Monday 30 September
with ?

• morning: workshops
  • ...
  • ...
• afternoon: tutorials

SESSION 3

Monday 7 October
with Manetta

• morning: workshops
  • ...
  • ...
• afternoon: tutorials

SESSION 4

Monday 14 October
with ?

• morning: workshops
  • ...
  • ...
• afternoon: tutorials

BREAK

Monday 20 October

Vacation: Autumn break

SESSION 5

Monday 27 October
with ?

• morning: workshops
  • ...
  • ...
• afternoon: tutorials

SESSION 6

Monday 3 November
with Manetta

• morning: workshops
  • ...
  • ...
• afternoon: tutorials

SESSION 7

Monday 10 November
with ?

• morning: workshops
  • ...
  • ...
• afternoon: tutorials

SESSION 8

Monday 17 November
with Manetta

• morning: workshops
  • ...
  • ...
• afternoon: tutorials

SESSION 9

Monday 24 November
with ?

• morning: workshops
  • ...
  • ...
• afternoon: tutorials

SESSION 10

Monday 1 December
with Manetta + ?

Building up for try-outs night tonight!