The aim of this module is to introduce learners to the field of Human Centred Design which focuses on understanding people’s capabilities, needs, preferences and then designing technology to support and enhance their lives and interactions (rather than creating the technology and then finding a human need or application).
The objective of the module is to ensure learners have the knowledge, skills, and competencies required to carry out a Human Centred Design project by conducting ethical human centred design research, understanding people’s capabilities, preferences and needs, identifying design requirements and iteratively designing and evaluating a prototype. Students will also be introduced to design techniques informed by human perception and cognition theory as well as accessibility and universal design principles.
Understanding People
- People have diverse capabilities (i.e. they may have physical, sensory, cognitive impairments), needs and preferences.
- Collect and analyse data from human participants using real world digital design examples.
- Research ethics for data collection with users i.e. ethical data management, study protocols, informed consent.
Translating user research to Design
- The use of design thinking and UX tools and techniques such as personas, storyboards, empathy maps and user journeys to transition from user research to prototype design
- Rapid Paper Prototyping - using low fidelity materials such as paper, post-its and cardboard to create and test designs with people.
- Iterative design, participatory design, co-creation
Perception, Cognition and Design
- Introduction to visual and auditory perception, cognition (memory, learning) and related design implications for user interfaces.
- Accessibility and Universal Design (UD)
- Multimodal feedback to support sensory, cognitive, physical and situational impairments.
Evaluation and Validation
- Conduct user evaluations/validating designs – how to evaluate an interface or technical system.
- Apply objective quantitative metrics such as task times, standarised scales (i.e. System Usability Scale) as well as rich qualitative methods such as think aloud, “I like, I wish, What if?”
This module will be presented over 13 lectures and 13 labs.
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Students will be encouraged to be proactive in their approach to learning for this module.
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This will require some independent research and creativity. Students will be required to work both independently and as part of groups.
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Labs will provide the opportunity for peer learning with collaborative practical tasks.
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The continuous assessment will take the form of marked labs, a group presentation and an individual design and report.
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Where possible, real-world examples will be used.
| Module Content & Assessment | |
|---|---|
| Assessment Breakdown | % |
| Other Assessment(s) | 100 |