INTERACTION DESIGN MODULE HANDBOOK 2020/2021 (UFCFQ5-30-3)
Semester 1: 19th October 2020 – 22nd January 2021 Semester 2: 8th February 2021 – 7th May 2021 Exam Period: 10th May – 28th May
Contact Time: 3 hrs per week
Coursework preparation: 4.8 hrs per week
Reading and learning course material: 3 hrs per week Presentation preparation: 38 hrs
Module teaching email: [email protected] Digital Media BSc, University of the West of England //2018-2019//
Content:
1. Aim of the Handbook………………………………………………….. 3 2. Moduleteaminformation……………………………………………..3 3. Module specific information………………………………………….. 4 4. Assignments……………………………………………………………12 5. Submission details……………………………………………………. 13 6. Communication………………………………………………………..13 7. Advice and support ………………………………………………….. 13
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1. Aim of the handbook
Please read this module handbook carefully. The aim of this handbook is to provide you with an overview of the module. As well as the standard information about aims, outcomes and assessment it also contains important details of how the module works, and what is expected of you and me as your tutor!
The information in the handbook can also be found in a number of other electronic or paper sources and the document provides links to the definitive data sources wherever possible.
Please note that the electronic version of the handbook will be kept up to date and you will be notified of any significant changes. If you have taken a hard copy of any information please remember to refer back to the electronic version to ensure that you are working with the most up to date information.
2. Module team information
Module leader(s) name: Rod Dickinson
Contact: [email protected]
Drop in office hours semester 1: 1pm-2pm Thursday online or F2F (by appointment).
Please contact me for appointments outside of drop-in hours.
External examiners from other institutions are appointed to each module to act independently and work with the module team in the management of threshold academic standards.
Staff Biographies
Rod Dickinson MA PGCertHE
Rod is a Senior Lecturer in Creative Technologies at the University of the West of England.
Previously Senior Lecturer in Art and Design at UWE.
His media and software based art works and research projects explore notions of control and
feedback in technology and media systems.
Many projects also utilise methods of reconstruction, and restaging, focusing on historical
moments, objects or events that have clear and instructive parallels with the present.
Projects have been exhibited at the Hayward Gallery, London: ICA, London; Yorkshire Sculpture Park and in many museums and contemporary art centers across the world. Most recently
Freiraum in Vienna and Halle 14 in Leipzig.
http://www.roddickinson.net
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3. Module specific information
Introduction to the module What is interaction design?
Interaction Design involves the critical analysis and design of systems and artefacts that use digital technologies to mediate the relationship between people and their environment. As designers we can evoke positive and engaging experiences by gaining a deeper understanding of people’s needs and expectations in different contexts and by giving due consideration to these in designing the system or product. As a discipline it draws on many different areas of practice and theory including sociology, graphic design, music, architecture, computer science, engineering and politics.
What will you be learning?
The Interaction Design module builds on the knowledge and experience you gained on the Level 2 User Experience module to further hone your design skills through a series of seminars, practical tasks, reading and field work. We will focus particularly on interaction processes as they relate to human behavior and the use of technologies by people in different contexts.
By the end of the module you will be able to:
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• • • • •
Understand various forms of human communication as a means of analysing and formulating meaningful interactions with digital technologies. Considering cultural and gender issues alongside this.
Compare and contrast a variety of interaction devices in terms of their suitability in different contexts.
Create meaningful representations of information, which enable appropriate levels of interactivity in relation to the users’ needs.
Research the needs of a specific user group and design an interface which incorporates elements of persuasive/emotional design.
Use creativity techniques to ideate a range of novel concepts for interacting with a digital technology, ensuring adherence to usability design principles and user needs. Synthesize secondary and primary research findings as part of conducting an evidence-based usability evaluation study.
What happens in each semester?
In the first semester, ‘Interacting with History’, you will be conducting design-led research in museums and other locations as a means to develop a prototype interactive installation for a public space or other specific context in Bristol. During this semester you will learn about and develop qualitative design research methods and gain practical skills in interaction design through workshops and your self-directed group work. There will be a focus away from screen based design and towards physical and ubiquitous, technology mediated interactions.
In the second term ‘Technology and society’ you will further develop your creative and research skills by developing and critically analyzing interactive systems with a focus on the role of technology in society. You will draw on design concepts and patterns to explore different modes of interaction. In this second term you will be expected to create hi-fidelity prototypes and research reports that demonstrate your analytical and practical design skills developed through the module. Throughout the year you will have a chance to work with industry professionals and researchers via guest lectures, workshops and events.
Self-directed work
This module is worth 30 credits and as such you are expected to complete at least 228 hours in addition to the weekly contact time with your tutor. You must complete the weekly reading and coursework preparation in order to meet the requirements for this module. Each week you will be set:
• 4.8 hours of coursework preparation.
• 3 hours of reading.
The self-directed work for each week can be found on the Interaction Design Blackboard site. Before and up to your exam you will be expected to do:
• 38 hours preparation total for your viva and presentation. Reading
Readings will be available on the Interaction Design Blackboard site. This will be discussed each week and so must be completed in the week requested in order for you to be able to participate in class.
Individual work
Assignments on the module are individual but some research tasks will be carried out in groups, which must be agreed with your workshop tutor. Swap emails / twitter/ fb and phone numbers where appropriate within the group.
Even if you are working in an informal group the module rule is that you must reply to a communication from a group member within 24hrs.
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Module Schedule – Semester 1
Module timelines may be subject to change at short notice. You will be notified of any changes in class and on Blackboard.
Lecture / week workshop
Introduction to the module – Introduction to the brief
– Interacting with history
Thematic research
Lecture and workshop:
– Embodied and physical interactions – Prep for field work
field observations – identifying audience and location, event, navigating the brief
Design based research
Field work
– Based on previous analysis and initial sorting.
Lecture:
– The origins of interaction design pt 1 (feedback and Cybernetics)
Workshop:
– Five approaches to Design
– The Problem Space
Analysis and qualitative research, initial sorting and review of research material.
Design Brief and presentation
Lecture:
– Uncomfortable Interactions:
Formative learning / outcome
Students feel oriented and confident
Forming groups, beginning research.
Begin to formulate areas of interest and develop analysis methods.
Design brief initiated and research of other relevant projects / interaction design installations
Confidence in research and prototype idea.
WEEK 1 19th OCT 2020
WEEK 2 26th OCT 2020
WEEK 3 2nd NOV 2020
WEEK 4 9th NOV 2020
WEEK 5 16th NOV 2020
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November 19st Presentation of your Design Brief 5min presentation. This is a progression point and must be passed to continue the assignment
Prototyping and research statement
Lecture:
– Prototyping Introduction
Project development and idea sharing
Lecture:
– Persuasive design
The origins of interaction design pt 3 (Nudge, Persuasive design, Skinner and behaviorism) & Elements of interaction
Workshop:
– Prototyping workshop using research materials.
Lecture and workshop: Group tutorials to discuss your work and check on progress and what to hand in.
December 17th 2pm Blackboard submission.
CHRISTMAS STUDENT HOLIDAY
Prototype begins to be developed.
Prototype developed through iterative process.
WEEK 6 23rd NOV 2020
WEEK 7 30th NOV 2020
WEEK 8 7th DEC 2020
Confidence in the final steps producing and documenting the prototype and prototype report.
WEEK 9 14th DEC 2020
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Project 2 – Technology and Society
Thematic Research
Lecture and workshop: Intro Technology and Society.
Rethinking how we use technology
Workshop: Mapping the digital present / forming groups
Lecture and workshop: Digital Capitalism
From the Californian Ideology to Platform Capitalism.
week Lecture / workshop
Independent Study
WEEK 10 11th JAN 2021
WEEK 11 18th JAN 2021
Lecture and workshop: Data and Society Exploring the use and significance of data.
Workshop: Thematic mapping / sharing ideas
Lecture and workshop: Alternative Approaches Adversarial Design, Speculative Design.
Workshop: Thematic mapping / sharing ideas
Developing a design brief.
Design Research
4th March Presentation of your Design Brief and extended discussion of your Design Brief as to some of the class as a 5min presentation in
Further research, more specific topic.
Literature review / related examples
Preparation for Design Brief presentation.
Preparation for Design Brief presentation.
WEEK 12 8th FEB 2021
WEEK 13 15th FEB 2021
WEEK 14 22nd FEB 2021
WEEK 15 1st MAR 2021
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This is a progression point and must be passed to continue the assignment
Workshop: Ideation approaches and possibilities
Lecture: Technological solutionism
A critical appraisal of digital technology as a tool for freedom and democracy.
Lecture and workshop: Researching and prototyping
Prototyping and final report
Lecture and workshop: Testing and iterating
STUDENT HOLIDAY
Lecture and workshop: Tutorials to discuss your work and check on progress.
Iteration and Development
Lecture and workshop: Tutorials to discuss your work and check on progress.
Begin work on prototype, research.
Continue work on prototype, research.
Testing low fidelity prototype.
WEEK 16 8th MAR 2021
WEEK 17 15th MAR 2021
WEEK 18 22nd MAR 2021
WEEK 19 12th APR 2021
Begin developing hi- fidelity prototype from testing
Begin developing hi- fidelity prototype from testing
WEEK 20 19th APR 2021
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WEEK 21 26th APR 2021
workshop: Tutorials to discuss your work and Prototype report check on progress.
workshop: Final project work.
Submission May 6th 2pm Blackboard
Presentations May 13th:
WEEK 22 4th MAY 2021
Assessment period
May 10th –
May 28th, 2021
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Expectations
Below is a set of general expectations for students and the module leader
What is expected of you
An open mind and a willingness to explore, critique your work, and learn through experimentation. A workshop-based approach will be used to present and discuss the concepts and issues within topic areas. You will be expected to be an active participant in all discussions and support your classmates in improving their designs/prototypes by providing constructive feedback. Engagement with and understanding of topics, will be facilitated through a range of practical activities. Presenting the outcomes of activities and reflecting on these will be a standard feature, providing the opportunity for further dialogue and debate to aid development of critical thinking skills.
As well as developing practical skills, you will be expected to do a lot of reading for this module. You will be directed to a number of sources for further reading which have been selected to provide either: more in-depth knowledge beyond that available in the essential reading; or an alternative perspective on a particular issue. It is expected that you will augment this reading by locating additional resources yourself and enhance the learning experience by sharing these with your colleagues and me.
What you should expect of me
You should expect that I will share my knowledge and experience with you in a manner that is interesting, constructive and which acknowledges your skills, insights and experiences as valuable. I will be available to discuss your work during and outside of the class and will always be happy to argue and be wrong. I will listen and learn from you and share my passion and enthusiasm for design.
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4. Assignments
All assignments are individual work. Each assignment will be detailed in a separate brief / document that you will receive within the first weeks of each semester.
The summary below gives you a synopsis, date and list of deliverables.
Semester 1 – Interacting with History (coursework) 42% total module mark
December 17th – deliverables:
A Group Cover Page with a single image and brief summary that illustrates your project (PDF)
A Research Statement – 600 words (PDF)
A Design Brief – 200 words (PDF)
APrototype (or documentation of your prototype)
Semester 2 – Technology and Society (coursework) 28% total module mark
May 6th – deliverables:
A Design Brief 200 words,
A Prototype
A Prototype Report including a link to documentation of the final prototype (600 words),
Semester 2 – Technology and Society (Viva & Presentation) 30% of total module mark
May 13th – deliverables:
A Prototype Demo
A Graphic Display
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To pass the module your combined mark for the coursework in Semester 1 and 2 must average more than 40%. And your mark for the Viva & Presentation must be more than 40%.
Resits
If you fail the module you will need to take resits in the summer. Please discuss this with the module leader.
5.Submission details19, date to be confirmed ET.SAT.
The submission deadlines are absolute and based on UWE server time, therefore do submit work well ahead of the deadline dates to avoid situations where penalties could be incurred. Penalties are imposed if a submission is late. Late submissions up to 24 hours after the deadline are capped at 40%. After the 24 hours have passed, the work will not be accepted for marking.
You will receive informal feedback verbally through all teaching sessions – ensure you listen carefully. Each assessment you submit will be returned to you with written feedback, and consists of comments made by tutors on students’ assessed work which enables students to understand how they have met the defined assessment criteria and identifying areas for further improvement. The period for providing feedback will not normally exceed 20 working days (excluding University closure days) following the deadline for submission of the assessment concerned. This period may be shorter or longer for some forms of assessment. Where the period is greater than 20 working days, students will be informed of the deadline and the rationale for the extension. Outcomes which have not been confirmed by an examining board shall be considered as unconfirmed.
6. Communication
Throughout your time with us, you will receive regular communication from your module leaders, and also administrative staff, and it is your responsibility to ensure that you read everything that you are sent, and act upon it where appropriate.
The main communication channel used is the Blackboard for all the modules you are currently studying. Blackboard provides the main communication channel for module specific information and these too should be checked regularly for new content and announcements.
Please see http://info.uwe.ac.uk/myUWE/guidance/default.asp for further information on all aspects of your myUWE portal.
7. Advice and support
There are a range of facilities and services available to go to for advice and support depending on what the issue is. Remember – asking for help at the earliest possible stage will help you in the long run. Your first point of call should always be your Academic Personal tutor, as they will be able to sign post you to the right services and will be able to deal with specific matters relating to teaching and learning. If you are not able to contact your Academic Personal tutor for any reason go to an Information Point, details of which can be found at http://www1.uwe.ac.uk/students/informationpoints.aspx
Student advisers are available and can also be contacted through the Information Points, see http://www1.uwe.ac.uk/students/academicadvice/studentadvisers.aspx for information on how they might be able to help.
However, you are more than welcome to talk to other members of UWE staff depending on who you feel most comfortable talking to.
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