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Unit outline_

DECO2200: Interaction Design Studio

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

This unit introduces principles of interface and interaction design through design projects. Students will develop technical as well as methodological skills for designing and developing interactive products and services. Elements of interaction design including menus, screen design, animation, and graphics design will be addressed for various platforms, including online applications and mobile devices. The unit builds on the design methods introduced in DECO1006/DECO2016, such as user research, storyboarding, and prototyping. It allows students to develop an advanced understanding of these methods through applying them in a specific design context. Students will learn about methods for collecting user requirements, synthesising and visualising concepts, prototyping user interfaces, e.g. in the form of mobile apps, and evaluating prototypes.

Unit details and rules

Academic unit Design Lab
Credit points 12
Prerequisites
? 
DECO1006 or DECO2016 or DECO1016
Corequisites
? 
None
Prohibitions
? 
None
Assumed knowledge
? 

None

Available to study abroad and exchange students

Yes

Teaching staff

Coordinator Soojeong Yoo, soojeong.yoo@sydney.edu.au
Lecturer(s) Soojeong Yoo, soojeong.yoo@sydney.edu.au
The census date for this unit availability is 2 September 2024
Type Description Weight Due Length
Assignment group assignment Task 1: Research Design Brief
Produce a video on research approach and findings on a chosen IxD problem.
20% Week 04
Due date: 23 Aug 2024 at 23:59
23th August, 23:59
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO7 LO8 LO9
Assignment group assignment Task 2: Concept Presentation
Present a high-fidelity prototype of the proposed solution.
30% Week 09
Due date: 27 Sep 2024 at 23:59
27th September 23:59
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO10 LO9 LO8 LO7 LO6 LO5 LO3 LO2
Online task Task 4: Reflective Essay
Students will write a reflective essay on interaction design.
20% Week 12
Due date: 24 Oct 2024 at 12:00
24 Oct
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO7 LO10
Assignment group assignment Task 3: Final Design
Produce a visual report on the final solution.
30% Week 13
Due date: 01 Nov 2024 at 23:59
1st November, 23:59
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO10 LO9 LO8 LO7 LO6 LO5 LO4 LO3 LO2
group assignment = group assignment ?

Assessment summary

  • Research Design Brief (20%): Students will submit a research video on a chosen IxD problem, describing their research approach and findings. Students should also submit evidence of data collection, analysis and synthesis separately as an appendix.
  • Concept Presentation (30%): Students are required to design and present a high-fidelity prototype of a potential solution to the IxD problem they select based on their research in Task 1.
  • Final Design (30%): Students will prepare and submit a final report that demonstrates evidence of the group’s design process (including ideation, prototyping and user evaluation) and a link to their high-fidelity interactive prototype. This will be delivered in the form of a visual report.
  • Reflective Essay (20%): Students will write a reflective essay on interaction design, focusing on the topics covered during classes. This task challenges students to engage deeply with the concepts discussed in class, critically evaluate their own understanding, and articulate thoughtful insights regarding the integration of interaction design.

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.

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 Interaction Design (IxD) Lecture (1 hr) LO1
Problem Discovery Tutorial (2 hr) LO1 LO8 LO9 LO10
Discovering Problem Areas Studio (3 hr) LO1 LO7 LO8 LO9
Week 02 Advanced Research Methods Lecture (1 hr) LO1 LO9 LO10
Research Design Tutorial (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO9
Creating a Research Plan Studio (3 hr) LO1 LO5 LO7 LO8 LO9
Week 03 Designing for Omni-Channel Interactions Lecture (1 hr) LO1 LO2 LO4 LO5 LO10
Data Synthesis Methods Tutorial (2 hr) LO5 LO7 LO9 LO10
Research Data Collection Studio (3 hr) LO7 LO8 LO9
Week 04 Interaction Design Portfolio Lecture (1 hr) LO1 LO4 LO10
Design Portfolio Tutorial (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO5 LO6 LO7 LO8
Create Research Case Studies for Individual Portfolio Studio (3 hr) LO1 LO5 LO7 LO8 LO9
Week 05 Problem Reframing and Ideating Solutions Lecture (1 hr) LO1 LO5 LO6 LO7 LO9 LO10
Ideating Solutions Tutorial (2 hr) LO1 LO5 LO7 LO8 LO9 LO10
Ideating Solutions Studio (3 hr) LO1 LO5 LO7 LO8 LO9 LO10
Week 06 Introduction to Interactive Prototyping Lecture (1 hr) LO2 LO3 LO4 LO10
Prototyping & Evaluation Tutorial (2 hr) LO2 LO3 LO5 LO6 LO10
Prototype Design #1 Studio (3 hr) LO2 LO3 LO5 LO7 LO8 LO9 LO10
Week 07 Making Sense of Usability Data Lecture (1 hr) LO1 LO2 LO5 LO6 LO9
Synthesising User Feedback Tutorial (2 hr) LO1 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6
Prototype Evaluation #1 Studio (3 hr) LO5 LO6 LO7 LO8 LO9 LO10
Week 08 Advanced Prototyping - Design System Lecture (1 hr) LO1 LO5 LO6 LO10
Animation and Transition Design Tutorial (2 hr) LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO10
Data Synthesis and Prototype Refinements Studio (3 hr) LO3 LO4 LO5 LO7 LO8 LO9 LO10
Week 09 Understanding Human Factors Lecture (1 hr) LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO10
Prototype Presentations Tutorial (2 hr) LO3 LO4 LO5
Prototype Design #2 Studio (3 hr) LO7 LO8 LO9 LO10
Week 10 Advanced Usability Evaluations Lecture (1 hr) LO5 LO6 LO7 LO9 LO10
Usability Test Plans Tutorial (2 hr) LO1 LO5 LO6 LO8 LO9
Creating a Usability Test Plan Studio (3 hr) LO6 LO8 LO9 LO10
Week 11 Interaction Design in Practice Lecture (1 hr) LO1 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7 LO10
Making a Promotional Video Tutorial (2 hr) LO7 LO8 LO10
Prototype Evaluation #2 Studio (3 hr) LO5 LO6 LO7 LO8 LO9 LO10
Week 12 Futures in Interaction Design Lecture (1 hr) LO8 LO9 LO10
Reflective Essay Tutorial (2 hr) LO7 LO10
Report Preparation Studio (3 hr) LO7 LO8 LO9 LO10
Week 13 Assignment Feedback Lecture (1 hr) LO8 LO10
Project Presentations Tutorial (2 hr) LO7 LO8 LO9 LO10
Project Presentations Studio (3 hr) LO7 LO8 LO9 LO10

Attendance and class requirements

(1) Students are required to be in attendance at the correct time and place of any formal or informal examinations. Non-attendance on any grounds that is insufficient to claim special consideration or disability adjustment will result in the forfeiture of marks associated with the assessment. Participation in a minimum number of assessment items may be included in the requirements specified for a unit of study.

(2) Students are expected to attend a minimum of 90% of timetabled activities for each unit of study, unless granted exemption by the Head of School and Dean, Associate Dean Education or relevant Unit Coordinator. The Head of School and Dean, Associate Dean Education or relevant Unit Coordinator may determine that a student fails a unit of study because of inadequate attendance. Alternatively, at their discretion, they may set additional assessment items when attendance is lower than 90%.

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 12 credit point unit, this equates to roughly 240-300 hours of student effort in total.

Required readings

All readings for this unit can be accessed through the Library eReserve, available on Canvas.

  • Sharp, H., Rogers, Y., Preece, J., 2019. Interaction Design: Beyond Human-Computer Interaction. John Wiley & Sons.
  • Tomitsch, M., Wrigley, C., Borthwick, M., Ahmadpour, N., Frawley, J., Kocaballi, B., Núñez-Pacheco, C., Straker, K. and Loke, L., 2018. Design. Think. Make. Break. Repeat. A handbook of methods. Bis Publishers.

 

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 requirements of an interaction design problem
  • LO2. assess the structural and navigational requirements of web sites, mobile applications and computing devices
  • LO3. prototype, develop and document designs that involve interaction
  • LO4. design and develop web sites, mobile applications and/or tangible computing using state-of-the-art prototyping techniques
  • LO5. apply a variety of design approaches and techniques for ideation, prototyping, and evaluation
  • LO6. evaluate the performance and user experience of a design solution
  • LO7. reflectively document their process and design solution
  • LO8. work effectively in teams
  • LO9. demonstrate rigor in research
  • LO10. understand, discuss and apply interaction design principles and concepts.

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.

No changes have been made since this unit was last offered.

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.