This course familiarises students with the process of user interface or interaction design. They will investigate interaction design models; learn guidelines to good interface design and how to create interfaces for differently abled users. This course is important to all IT students who intend to pursue careers in application development, mobile/web development, or user interface/user experience (UI/UX) design. The course will be delivered using a combination of face-to-face and online lectures, in-class and online discussions and hands-on labs.
Mode of Delivery: Face-to-Face, Online, HyFlex or Blended
On successful completion of this course, students will be able to:
· Describe the goals of interaction design
· Explain the concept and role of the design stage
· Explain the concept and role of the evaluation stage
· Explain the concept and role of the implementation stage
· Select and apply tools for interface design, implementation and evaluation
· Select and use appropriate interaction devices (both input and output)
· Use appropriate interface modalities such as sound, colour and menus
· Apply fundamental interaction design techniques in the design, implementation and evaluation of interfaces
· Apply appropriate design techniques for the given devices
– mobile versus desktop devices, touch versus mouse-based devices
· Apply appropriate design techniques for the given contexts
-web-based versus desktop applications versus mobile applications
· Create user interfaces using the appropriate design, implementation and evaluation methods and tools.
Web application developers; IT team leaders; application developers; Computer Science/ IT graduates with an interest UI/ UX; Application interface/ user experience designers.
Semester II, 2020/2021 (Jan 2021) postgraduate modules will be delivered ‘face-to-face’, ‘online’, ‘blended’ or ‘hyflex’. See Mode of Delivery definitions below:
Face-to-Face
Face-to-face teaching is an instructional method where course content is taught in person, in a physical classroom environment.
Online:
Online teaching is an instructional method where students and instructors connect via technology to review lectures, submit assignments and communicate with one another. No face-to-face learning occurs since lectures, assignments and readings are delivered online.
Blended:
Blended teaching (also known as hybrid or mixed-mode) is an instructional method where a portion of the traditional face-to-face instruction is replaced by web-based online instruction. Therefore, classes are delivered via electronic and online media as well as traditional face-to-face teaching.
HyFlex:
Hybrid-Flexible (also known as HyFlex teaching) integrates in-class instruction, online synchronous video sessions, or asynchronous content delivery. The instructor will deliver the class in a regular classroom, but students may attend in person, participate in the class through video conferencing, or watch a recording of the class session.
With the rapid rise of consumer-oriented software and devices in both the consumer and enterprise markets, the importance of careful user interface design in the software development process has become paramount. Since usability has become one of the key success factors of any computer software, all students planning on being involved in technology innovation must be equipped with knowledge of good interface design. Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to recognize good interface design, and become proficient in the redesign of systems with poor interfaces. It is anticipated that students who successfully complete this course will be highly information literate, critical and creative thinkers, and innovative.
The following topics/concepts/theories/issues will be addressed:
· General models and guidelines
· Methods of designing interfaces
· Software and hardware interface implementation
· Mechanisms of evaluation
· Consumer versus enterprise needs
· User interfaces for mobile devices
· User interfaces for web pages
· User interfaces for the disabled
There are no specific requirements to be eligible to enroll is this course.
This course is delivered using a combination of interactive lectures, online and face-to-face discussions and laboratories. Students are required to read preparatory material and complete assigned homework given by the lecturer and be prepared to participate in discussions. Laboratory sessions will be used to provide hands-on experiences in interface design. Students are expected to prepare assigned programming and developmental exercises prior to arriving at the laboratory.
Credit Hours Five (5) hours of lectures and two (2) hours of labs each week for eight (8) weeks.
Dr. C. Gittens (Coordinator)
