Usability and Human Factors in Interaction Design
Study plans 2016-2017 - IMT4309 - 7.5 ECTS

On the basis of

IMT2072 - Ergonomics in digital media

The student, upon completion of this course, will:

Knowledge

Have comprehensive knowledge of Interaction Design
Have advanced knowledge of the term usability and its critical importance, as well as cognitive issues related to user behavior, and have specialized knowledge on a limited topic within usability
Be able to recognize, analyze, compare and apply various design guidelines (heuristics) and methods for expert evaluation and inspection of interface design
Have in-depth knowledge of various techniques for prototyping, and be able to apply this knowledge to the development of interface design and interaction

Skills

Be able to analyze, inspect and respond critically to usability with respect to end-users in the development and evaluation of interactive systems
Be able to discuss requirements for the design of user interfaces in digital media with regards to human factors and end-users needs, including people with disabilities
Be able to analyze and assess the appropriateness of various methods for expert evaluation and inspection of user interfaces
Be able to perform independent practical work in interaction design and usability
Be able to analyse and inspect interactive systems in development and evaluation phases based on research-based and best-practice based knowledge of usability and end-users needs

Overall competence

Be able to develop an understanding of and reflect upon theory, definitions and concepts in the field of usability, and contribute to the improvement of existing designs and IT solutions and to innovations within technology and design

Definition of interaction design (including user experience, and experience design)
Core concepts in usability (including definition of usability, mental models, affordances, constraints, mapping, metaphors, visibility and feedback)
Gestalt theory, interaction styles and interaction patterns
Human factors, human error, embodied knowledge, user behavior and strategies
Cognitive dimensions, such as perception, memory and attention, and the implications for design
Usability heuristics (e.g. Nielsen, Schneiderman and Norman)
Multimodality and various forms of interaction
Universal design, inclusive design and design for all: people with disabilites and the use of technology
Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG 2.0) and accessible web
Standards and guidelines for usability work
Prototyping (hi-fi/lo-fi, vertical/horizontal, evolutionary/experimental) and different techniques for prototyping (including serial and parallel prototyping)
Development of wireframes, paper prototypes, and interactive prototypes.
Expert assessments of usability (including heuristic evaluation, discount evaluation, PACT analysis and cognitive walkthrough)

Essay
Lectures
Group works
Mandatory assignments
Meeting(s)/Seminar(s)
Other

Student presentations

Other

Home exam, 5 hours, to be handed in electronically (40 %)

Groupwork (60 %)

Both parts must be passed separately.

Alphabetical Scale, A(best) – F (fail)

2 internal examiners. External examiner is used periodically, next time autumn 2018.

No re-sit exam is offered, assessment form (s) must be retaken the next time the course is running.

Dictionary - English/first language

Portfolio submitted with compulsory assignments and exercises (must be approved)
- Part-time students may replace mandatory group sessions with individual project (must be approved)
Active participation in group assignments or individual exercises

Johnson, Jeff (2014) Designing with the Mind in Mind. 2nd ed., Elsevier Science. ISBN: 9780124079144
Rogers, Yvonne, Helen Sharp, Jenny Preece (2015) Interaction Design: Beyond Human-Computer Interaction, 4rd ed., J. Wiley & Sons
Selected articles in a compendium.

IMT4032 Usability and Human Factors in Interaction Design