User-Centered Design
MODULE CODE
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Module Aims
Aim 1
Explore practical aspects of user-centred design.
Aim 2
Develop skills in the design process, applying methods and prototyping techniques to real-world problems.
Aim 3
Critically reflect on the application of design methods in a user-centred approach.
Module Content
This is an inherently practical module that introduces the principles of user-centred design. The module considers the role users play in user-centred design. Supporting the learning of students to carry out a group design project.
Content includes (but is not limited to):
- Alternative design approaches such as user-centred, technology-centred, and task-centred design
- Ideation methods for example cultural probes, IDEO cards, and creative design activities
- Using personas and scenarios in design studies
- Sketching and communicating design ideas – pros and cons of low-fidelity prototyping
- Creating and delivering rapid prototypes
- Principles of interface design
- Evaluation techniques to test and iterate designs for example usability testing, User Acceptance Testing (UAT), and observations.
Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this module, a student will be able to:
Teaching Methods
The theoretical material will be delivered during lecture sessions; these will be available on the web for online use where they will be augmented with additional learning materials and tasks.
Face-to-face and online seminar sessions will give the students the chance to discuss and present their work in a critical environment.
This is an inherently practical module that is assessed practically and written examination. During the first half of the module, students perform an assessed group design project. Typically, the team agree on a design problem and the associated users and will collectively develop a design specification – this will be worth approximately 20% of the assignment marks and all members will normally receive the same mark. Each team member will then be individually assessed (circa 60% of the assignment marks) on their contribution to the development of a design solution and on their contribution to a prototype and will critically evaluate their own design processes. The examination for the module will focus on the approaches and techniques for user- centred design.
Assessment Methods
1. Prototype (team) - weight 50%
2. Examination - weight 50%
To pass this module you must achieve a mark of 50% or above, aggregated across all the assessments.
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