Interaction Design: Concepts and Perspectives (Autumn 2020)

Abstract

This course provides students with a broad understanding of interaction design, and its fundamental concepts and perspectives. This understanding is grounded in theoretical understanding of design combined with a repertoire of design examples covering the main perspectives in interaction design.

Description

Interaction Design is the main academic subject in the bachelor programme of Digital Design and Interactive Technologies. The course is important as it provides a foundation in the subject of Interaction Design that subsequent courses build on. 

In a larger context, the experience of a design practitioner is partly grounded in a repertoire of design examples accumulated over time. This course provides a framework for this example building a repertoire of examples from different interaction design perspectives (e.g. GUI, tangible computing, speculative design).

Through a combination of design theory and design examples the course provides a basic yet broad understanding of interaction design and its core concepts. It also introduces students to a range of perspectives in interaction design, (e.g. GUI, tangible computing, speculative design) that they can draw on in future projects. Furthermore, the student will learn to conceptualize and sketch simple designs within the perspectives presented, using video and storyboards, and learn how to engage in constructive critique of one’s own and others’ designs.

The subjects covered in the course are core concepts in interaction design regarding the:

• The artifact
  
• The computer
  
• The temporal form 
  
• The interaction

Formal prerequisites

This course is a 1st semester course on the BSc Digital Design and Interactive Technologies

Intended learning outcomes

After the course, the student should be able to:

• identify characteristics for a large selection of design eksamples within interaction design
• analyse and critique digital artifacts and systems and relate them to central perspectives in interaction design
• sketch and storyboard interactive digital artifacts and systems with associated use experiences
• argue for choice of interaction form, expression and perspective in design of digital products and systems

Learning activities

The 14 week long course will comprise weekly lectures based upon the texts in the curriculum. Each lecture will be followed by exercises where, amongst other things, students will conceptualise and sketch different interactive digital artefacts and systems based upon the topic of the lecture. 

The exercises are carried out in smaller groups. The design exercises are performed in groups of 4-6 students and are presented and discussed towards the end of the session with the entire class.

In addition, there will be a requirement to continuously write a reflective diary in which the student describes and reflects on their own learning. This reflective diary is submitted four times during the course.

For each week, you need to match what corresponds to maximum one A4 page in total:

1. Give a brief summary of the pointers of the texts

2. List the key concepts of the texts

3. Ask two to three questions for the texts (For example, something you don't understand, theory and method questions)

4. Briefly describe your three biggest insights this week (based on both exercises and texts)

Final oral exam: Please note that the final exam will have a preparation time of 1 hour and not 40mins as per the exam description

Course literature

• Articles uploaded to LearnIT throughout the course

• Norman, D. (2013), Design of Everyday Things. MIT Press, London

Student Activity Budget

Estimated distribution of learning activities for the typical student

• Preparation for lectures and exercises: 10%
• Lectures: 35%
• Exercises: 35%
• Project work, supervision included: 10%
• Exam with preparation: 10%

Ordinary exam

Exam type:
B: Oral exam, External (7-point scale)
Exam variation:
B1I: Oral exam with time for preparation. In-house.

reexam

Exam type:
B: Oral exam, External (7-point scale)

Time and date