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Unit outline_

DECO2102: Introduction to Web-based Design

Semester 2, 2020 [Normal day] - Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney

This unit introduces students to web design and modern web technologies for the purpose of designing and prototyping web-based user interface solutions. Students will learn about design principles and patterns for the web and apply them in practical exercises that involve designing and creating interactive user interfaces. The unit will introduce interface sketching and wire-framing tools and techniques. A variety of media and platforms, such as desktop computers and mobile devices, will be discussed, with a focus on interaction design. Students will develop an understanding of web technologies and their role in user experience and interaction design, including the use of web technologies for prototyping user interfaces. Prototyping techniques covered in this unit include interface sketching and wire-framing to develop dynamic content and interactive designs.

Unit details and rules

Academic unit Design Lab
Credit points 6
Prerequisites
? 
None
Corequisites
? 
None
Prohibitions
? 
DECO1016
Assumed knowledge
? 

None

Available to study abroad and exchange students

No

Teaching staff

Coordinator Soojeong Yoo, soojeong.yoo@sydney.edu.au
Type Description Weight Due Length
Tutorial quiz Weekly quizzes
Online quizzes
20% Multiple weeks 5 minutes
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO5 LO4 LO3 LO2
Assignment group assignment Research report
Report
30% Week 05 15 pages
Outcomes assessed: LO2 LO6
Assignment group assignment Concept Presentation
Presentation
20% Week 08 10-15 slides
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO3 LO5
Assignment group assignment High-fidelity prototype and presentation
Report and Presentation
30% Week 12 20 slides, 7 minutes
Outcomes assessed: LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6
group assignment = group assignment ?

Assessment summary

  • Design proposal: You will conduct background research to establish the context in which your project exists, identifying competitors, the target audience and existing conventions in user interface design currently employed in the context. Trends analysis and online ethnography will be conducted to supplement the background research and to understand the potential users’ perspectives on the problems outlined in the design brief.
  • Information architecture and wireframes progress: Your background research will be synthesised to propose an initial concept as a group. Your design concept will be developed through a process of sketching and wireframing. The submission will include screen flows and static representations of your user interface in the form of wireframes.
  • High-fidelity prototype and presentation: You will translate your static user interface representations into an interactive high-fidelity prototype that can be clicked-through using a prototyping tool or web-based framework. You will evaluate your prototype through the application of usability evaluation techniques, such as heuristic evaluation. Your presentation will document the features implemented, and the results of your evaluation and the process that you have followed.
  •  In-class quizzes: Two quizzes (10 questions per quiz), worth 10% each, will test the theory, methods and principles covered in the lectures, and will be conducted via the online learning platform.

Detailed information for each assessment can be found on Canvas.

Assessment criteria

The University awards common result grades, set out in the Coursework Policy 2014 (Schedule 1).

As a general guide, a high distinction indicates work of an exceptional standard, a distinction a very high standard, a credit a good standard, and a pass an acceptable standard.

Result name

Mark range

Description

High distinction

85 - 100

Work of outstanding quality, demonstrating mastery of the learning outcomes assessed. The work shows significant innovation, experimentation, critical analysis, synthesis, insight, creativity, and/or exceptional skill.

Distinction

75 - 84

Work of excellent quality, demonstrating a sound grasp of the learning outcomes assessed. The work shows innovation, experimentation, critical analysis, synthesis, insight, creativity, and/or superior skill.

Credit

65 - 74

Work of good quality, demonstrating more than satisfactory achievement of the learning outcomes assessed, or work of excellent quality for a majority of the learning outcomes assessed.

Pass

50 - 64

Work demonstrating satisfactory achievement of the learning outcomes assessed.

Fail

0 - 49

Work that does not demonstrate satisfactory achievement of one or more of the learning outcomes assessed.

For more information see guide to grades.

Late submission

In accordance with University policy, these penalties apply when written work is submitted after 11:59pm on the due date:

  • Deduction of 5% of the maximum mark for each calendar day after the due date.
  • After ten calendar days late, a mark of zero will be awarded.

Academic integrity

The Current Student website provides information on academic integrity and the resources available to all students. The University expects students and staff to act ethically and honestly and will treat all allegations of academic integrity breaches seriously.

We use similarity detection software to detect potential instances of plagiarism or other forms of academic integrity breach. If such matches indicate evidence of plagiarism or other forms of academic integrity breaches, your teacher is required to report your work for further investigation.

Use of generative artificial intelligence (AI) and automated writing tools

You may only use generative AI and automated writing tools in assessment tasks if you are permitted to by your unit coordinator. If you do use these tools, you must acknowledge this in your work, either in a footnote or an acknowledgement section. The assessment instructions or unit outline will give guidance of the types of tools that are permitted and how the tools should be used.

Your final submitted work must be your own, original work. You must acknowledge any use of generative AI tools that have been used in the assessment, and any material that forms part of your submission must be appropriately referenced. For guidance on how to acknowledge the use of AI, please refer to the AI in Education Canvas site.

The unapproved use of these tools or unacknowledged use will be considered a breach of the Academic Integrity Policy and penalties may apply.

Studiosity is permitted unless otherwise indicated by the unit coordinator. The use of this service must be acknowledged in your submission as detailed on the Learning Hub’s Canvas page.

Outside assessment tasks, generative AI tools may be used to support your learning. The AI in Education Canvas site contains a number of productive ways that students are using AI to improve their learning.

Simple extensions

If you encounter a problem submitting your work on time, you may be able to apply for an extension of five calendar days through a simple extension.  The application process will be different depending on the type of assessment and extensions cannot be granted for some assessment types like exams.

Special consideration

If exceptional circumstances mean you can’t complete an assessment, you need consideration for a longer period of time, or if you have essential commitments which impact your performance in an assessment, you may be eligible for special consideration or special arrangements.

Special consideration applications will not be affected by a simple extension application.

Using AI responsibly

Co-created with students, AI in Education includes lots of helpful examples of how students use generative AI tools to support their learning. It explains how generative AI works, the different tools available and how to use them responsibly and productively.

WK Topic Learning activity Learning outcomes
Week 01 Introduction to the unit Seminar (3 hr) LO1 LO2
Week 02 Research Deign Seminar (3 hr) LO2
Week 03 Advanced Research Deign Seminar (3 hr) LO2 LO6
Week 04 Interface Design Principles Seminar (3 hr) LO1
Week 05 Interface Elements Seminar (3 hr) LO1
Week 06 Interface Design basics Seminar (3 hr) LO3
Week 07 Lo-Fidelity Prototyping Seminar (3 hr) LO3
Week 08 Usability Testing Seminar (3 hr) LO5 LO6
Week 09 Reframing Prototype Seminar (3 hr) LO4 LO5 LO6
Week 10 High-Fidelity Prototypes Seminar (3 hr) LO4
Week 11 Visual Design Seminar (3 hr) LO4
Week 12 Peer review of designs Seminar (3 hr) LO5 LO6

Study commitment

Typically, there is a minimum expectation of 1.5-2 hours of student effort per week per credit point for units of study offered over a full semester. For a 6 credit point unit, this equates to roughly 120-150 hours of student effort in total.

Learning outcomes are what students know, understand and are able to do on completion of a unit of study. They are aligned with the University's graduate qualities and are assessed as part of the curriculum.

At the completion of this unit, you should be able to:

  • LO1. assess the structural and navigational requirements of web sites
  • LO2. conduct research to explore, inform and critique multiple perspectives on a design problem/solution
  • LO3. demonstrate a practical understanding and application of user interface design principles and methods, within an iterative, increasing-fidelity design process
  • LO4. use industry-relevant techniques in translating visual design and user behaviour theory into high quality concepts
  • LO5. employ practical applications of user evaluation methods for improving the quality and usability of user interface products
  • LO6. demonstrate improvement in written and visual communication techniques for the presentation of design work for a range of formats and audiences.

Graduate qualities

The graduate qualities are the qualities and skills that all University of Sydney graduates must demonstrate on successful completion of an award course. As a future Sydney graduate, the set of qualities have been designed to equip you for the contemporary world.

GQ1 Depth of disciplinary expertise

Deep disciplinary expertise is the ability to integrate and rigorously apply knowledge, understanding and skills of a recognised discipline defined by scholarly activity, as well as familiarity with evolving practice of the discipline.

GQ2 Critical thinking and problem solving

Critical thinking and problem solving are the questioning of ideas, evidence and assumptions in order to propose and evaluate hypotheses or alternative arguments before formulating a conclusion or a solution to an identified problem.

GQ3 Oral and written communication

Effective communication, in both oral and written form, is the clear exchange of meaning in a manner that is appropriate to audience and context.

GQ4 Information and digital literacy

Information and digital literacy is the ability to locate, interpret, evaluate, manage, adapt, integrate, create and convey information using appropriate resources, tools and strategies.

GQ5 Inventiveness

Generating novel ideas and solutions.

GQ6 Cultural competence

Cultural Competence is the ability to actively, ethically, respectfully, and successfully engage across and between cultures. In the Australian context, this includes and celebrates Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, knowledge systems, and a mature understanding of contemporary issues.

GQ7 Interdisciplinary effectiveness

Interdisciplinary effectiveness is the integration and synthesis of multiple viewpoints and practices, working effectively across disciplinary boundaries.

GQ8 Integrated professional, ethical, and personal identity

An integrated professional, ethical and personal identity is understanding the interaction between one’s personal and professional selves in an ethical context.

GQ9 Influence

Engaging others in a process, idea or vision.

Outcome map

Learning outcomes Graduate qualities
GQ1 GQ2 GQ3 GQ4 GQ5 GQ6 GQ7 GQ8 GQ9

This section outlines changes made to this unit following staff and student reviews.

Assessment items have been updated since this unit was last offered. The mid semester quiz will offer weekly quizzes (2% x10) rather than one quiz.

Disclaimer

The University reserves the right to amend units of study or no longer offer certain units, including where there are low enrolment numbers.

To help you understand common terms that we use at the University, we offer an online glossary.