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Unit outline_

DECO2102: Introduction to Interface Design

Semester 2, 2024 [Normal day] - Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney

This unit introduces students to principles and fundamentals of interface design in emerging technologies. Following a human-centered design approach, this unit of study provides students with an understanding of industry standard principles for user interface design. Students will gain practical skills for prototyping and testing interactive interfaces through the application of tools and techniques for a variety of different platforms. For example, students will learn how to create low-fidelity prototypes using wireframes for web and mobile user interfaces. The aim is to develop appreciation of visual design principles and their impact on the usability and user experience of interactive products.

Unit details and rules

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

None

Available to study abroad and exchange students

No

Teaching staff

Coordinator Moe Qashlan, moe.qashlan@sydney.edu.au
Lecturer(s) Moe Qashlan, moe.qashlan@sydney.edu.au
Kiran Ijaz, kiran.ijaz@sydney.edu.au
The census date for this unit availability is 2 September 2024
Type Description Weight Due Length
Attendance A1 Weekly Quiz
There will be ten quizzes delivered via Canvas over the course of semester.
10% Multiple weeks
Due date: 05 Aug 2024 at 09:30

Closing date: 03 Nov 2025
60 minutes
Outcomes assessed: LO3
Attendance A2 Tutorial attendance and participation
Attendance and participation in tutorial and class activities
10% Multiple weeks
Due date: 29 Jul 2024 at 00:00

Closing date: 03 Nov 2024
120 minutes
Outcomes assessed: LO5 LO8 LO4 LO3 LO2 LO1 LO7
Assignment A3 Conceptual Design Video Presentation
2-mins video presentation & presentation slides of up to 15 pages
20% Week 06
Due date: 08 Sep 2024 at 23:59
2 minutes Video
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO3 LO4
Creative assessment / demonstration A4 Final Design Demonstration
Demonstrate final design to peer group and teaching staff
25% Week 13
Due date: 28 Oct 2024 at 00:00
5 minutes
Outcomes assessed: LO2 LO7
Assignment A5 Final Design
Usability evaluation & interactive prototype-Individual Report
35% Week 13
Due date: 03 Nov 2024 at 23:59
10 pages maximum
Outcomes assessed: LO3 LO5 LO6 LO7 LO8

Assessment summary

In this unit, you will need to complete ten quizzes, class participation, two design assignments, and one in-class demonstration of your design project. The weighting of these assessments and their due dates are detailed in the table below. All assessments in this unit must be completed individually.

In-class quizzes (A1) will be available on Monday mornings and must be submitted by 9.30am. They will be delivered via Canvas.

Class participation includes attending and actively participating in tutorials (A2).

The first design assignment (A3) will be delivered as a 2-minute video presentation combined with slides.

The second design assignment (A5) will be submitted as a design report.

Both assignments must be uploaded by the due dates specified 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.

This unit has an exception to the standard University policy or supplementary information has been provided by the unit coordinator. This information is displayed below:

Late submission of work (1) It is expected that unless a simple extension, special consideration or disability adjustment has been granted, students will submit all assessment items for a unit of study on the due dates specified. If an assessment is submitted or otherwise completed within a period of extension granted by successful application for simple extension, special consideration or an assessment adjustment determined by Disability Services, no academic penalty will be applied to that piece of assessment. (2)If an extension is not sought, not granted, or is granted but work is submitted after the extended due date, the late submission of assessment will result in an academic penalty as follows: Late submission is allowed within the10 days past the due date, with 5% penalty applied per day.

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.

Support for students

The Support for Students Policy 2023 reflects the University’s commitment to supporting students in their academic journey and making the University safe for students. It is important that you read and understand this policy so that you are familiar with the range of support services available to you and understand how to engage with them.

The University uses email as its primary source of communication with students who need support under the Support for Students Policy 2023. Make sure you check your University email regularly and respond to any communications received from the University.

Learning resources and detailed information about weekly assessment and learning activities can be accessed via Canvas. It is essential that you visit your unit of study Canvas site to ensure you are up to date with all of your tasks.

If you are having difficulties completing your studies, or are feeling unsure about your progress, we are here to help. You can access the support services offered by the University at any time:

Support and Services (including health and wellbeing services, financial support and learning support)
Course planning and administration
Meet with an Academic Adviser

WK Topic Learning activity Learning outcomes
Week 01 Introduction to Interface Design, History & Subject Overview Lecture and tutorial (3 hr) LO1 LO3
Week 02 Design principles & Deconstructing Interfaces Lecture and tutorial (3 hr) LO3
Week 03 Gathering Requirements & Research Methods Lecture and tutorial (3 hr) LO1 LO2
Week 04 Information Architecture Lecture and tutorial (3 hr) LO2 LO8
Week 05 Sketching & Wireframes Lecture and tutorial (3 hr) LO3 LO4 LO5
Week 06 Visual Design Foundations, Layout & Introduction to Design Tools. Lecture and tutorial (3 hr) LO3 LO4 LO5 LO8
Week 07 Design guidelines (Design System) & Patterns Lecture and tutorial (3 hr) LO3 LO4 LO5
Week 08 Prototyping 1& Design tool practice Lecture and tutorial (3 hr) LO3 LO4 LO5
Week 09 Prototyping 2 & Design tool practice Lecture and tutorial (3 hr) LO3 LO4 LO5
Week 11 Usability Evaluation & Testing Lecture and tutorial (3 hr) LO2 LO5 LO6
Week 12 Project Management and Ethical Design Lecture and tutorial (3 hr) LO1 LO6 LO7 LO8
Week 13 Industry Panel Lecture and tutorial (3 hr) LO2 LO7

Attendance and class requirements

Attendance: Attendance of all timetabled activities is mandatory. Students are expected to attend a minimum of 90% of timetabled activities for each unit of study, unless granted exemption by the Unit Coordinator, Program Director or Associate Dean of Education.

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. Plan, document and execute research with rigour;
  • LO2. Assess the requirements of an interface design problem and translate them into an actionable set of interface design tasks;
  • LO3. Understand and apply interface design principles and concepts;
  • LO4. Apply a variety of design approaches and techniques for ideation;
  • LO5. Use a variety of tools to prototype and develop interfaces;
  • LO6. Recruit participants and conduct usability evaluations on lo and hi-fidelity prototypes;
  • LO7. Present research findings and possible solutions;
  • LO8. Plan and document an interface design project;

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.

This unit has been updated to reflect it's original objective of introducing web design to a non-design audience.

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.