Course Title: Design user interfaces

Part B: Course Detail

Teaching Period: Term1 2016

Course Code: VART6060C

Course Title: Design user interfaces

School: 650T Vocational Business Education

Campus: City Campus

Program: C6140 - Advanced Diploma of Business (Public Relations)

Course Contact: Julia Makin

Course Contact Phone: +61 3 9925 5175

Course Contact Email: Julia.makin@rmit.edu.au


Name and Contact Details of All Other Relevant Staff

Nominal Hours: 50

Regardless of the mode of delivery, represent a guide to the relative teaching time and student effort required to successfully achieve a particular competency/module. This may include not only scheduled classes or workplace visits but also the amount of effort required to undertake, evaluate and complete all assessment requirements, including any non-classroom activities.

Pre-requisites and Co-requisites

None

Course Description

This unit describes the performance outcomes, skills and knowledge required to design user interfaces for interactive media products.


National Codes, Titles, Elements and Performance Criteria

National Element Code & Title:

CUFDIG402A Design user interfaces

Element:

1. Identify project requirements

Performance Criteria:

a. Discuss concept with relevant personnel to ensure that design briefs are fully understood
b. Identify technical parameters of interactive media products, including delivery platform
c. Identify target audience and user characteristics
d. Obtain information architecture specifications if available

Element:

2. Draft design specifications

Performance Criteria:

a. Visualise concepts and develop preliminary sketches based on content architecture and audience characteristics
b. Sketch basic screen layout showing main spatial zones
c. Specify functional areas within screen layouts
d. Specify metaphors and look and feel of user interfaces
e. Develop final detailed sketches taking into consideration all ideas generated
f. Gain approval from relevant personnel to ensure that interfaces meet all requirements
g. Write user interface design specifications to include relevant advice to development teams
 

Element:

3. Finalise user interface designs

Performance Criteria:

a. Develop focus test plans for user interfaces to identify their strengths and weaknesses
b. Incorporate design changes to information architecture in design specifications
c. Obtain final agreement from relevant personnel for finished designs


Learning Outcomes



Details of Learning Activities

A number of learning activities are incorporated in the in-class delivery, such as:

Individual tasks and exercises, e.g.: students have to use mindmapping software to document their brainstorms
Group work exercises, e.g.: students have to develop a concept as a response to a scenario/problem.
Online user testing
Online collaboration and conferencing
Brainstorm sessions
Probing questions


Teaching Schedule

This subject is co-delivered with Create User Interfaces VART6061C


Week 1 - What are User Interfaces?
Week 2 - Introducing User Experience
Week 3 - Evaluate User Interfaces
Week 4 - Big Data
Week 5 - Typography and Design Re-cap
Week 6 - Assessment 1 Presentation In class (feedback will be received by week 8)
Week 7 - Brainstorming

25 March – 3 April - Mid-Semester Break

Week 8 - Graphics - Branding your App
Week 9 - Use Software to Develop Prototypes Part 1
Week 10 - Use Software to Develop Prototypes Part 2
Week 11 - Applying the Software
Week 12 - User Testing - Assessment 2 submission (feedback will be received by week 14)
Week 13 - In Class Presentations Assessment 2: In Class Presentations
Week 14 - Preparation for Test
Week 15 - Assessment 3 - In Class Test


Learning Resources

Prescribed Texts


References


Other Resources


Overview of Assessment

Assessment may incorporate a variety of methods including technical requirements documentation, homework, assignments, group and/or individual projects, in class exercises, written and practical assessments, problem solving exercises, presentations, direct observation of actual and simulated work practice, presentation of a portfolio of evidence which may comprise documents, and/or photographs and/or video and audio files, review of products produced through work-based or course activities.

Students are advised that they are likely to be asked to personally demonstrate their assessment work to their teacher to ensure that the relevant competency standards are being met. Students will be provided with feedback throughout the course to check their progress.


Assessment Tasks

Students are required to complete 3 tasks. All tasks must be completed successfully to be deemed competent in this unit.
 

Assessment 1 – Presentation: Examination/User Report
Individual, due: Submission on Blackboard – week 5, Sunday, 11pm, Presentation – week 6, in class

Individually, students will examine and test a real user Interface of an app. This interface will be one that helps to manage data sets (such as tram tracker or webjet). Students are then to produce a detailed analysis report to be uploaded to Blackboard and delivered in class. This presentation will cover all aspects of the user experience, that include the words that users have to interact with, the visual representations the user interacts with on the interface including, typography, diagrams, icons, and other graphics. The space with which the user or users interact, the content that changes over time such as sound, video, or animation, and the behaviour defines the user’s actions/ reaction to the interface and how they respond to it.


Assessment 2 – User Interface Design
Group, due: Submission on Blackboard – week 12, Sunday, 11pm, Presentation –Week 13, in class

Working in pairs, the second assessment will focus on the design and creation of a professional prototype of a User Interface. This project will involve a range of research and technical tasks to be completed using various software tools you will be introduced to and trained in in class. You will develop a concept for a commercially viable app and design the user interfaces for the various stages. The aim of the user interface is to make the user’s interaction as simple, efficient, enjoyable and perhaps even fun as possible. Your final prototypes will be presented in class.

Assessment 3 – Online Test
Individual (Due in class Week 15)

Individually students will complete an online test in class. You will need to show a solid understanding of key material covered over the semester including User Experience (UX), digital platforms, and prototyping software.

Submission Requirements

You should:

• Ensure that you submit assessments on or before the due date.
• Always retain a copy of your assessment tasks. (hard copy and soft copy)
• When you submit work for assessment at RMIT University you need to use a cover sheet that includes a declaration and statement of authorship. You must complete, sign and submit a cover sheet with all work you submit for assessment, whether individual or group work. On the cover sheet you declare that the work you are presenting for assessment is your own work. An assignment cover sheet for submission of each assessment task is available on blackboard.
• Each page of your assessment should include footer with your name, student number, the title of the assessment, unit code and title and page numbers. For example, Julie Macpherson, 324567, Task 2, OHS2345C Ensure safe workplace, Page 1 of 10.

Late Submission Procedures
You are required to submit assessment items and/or ensure performance based assessment is completed by the due dates.
If you are prevented from submitting an assessment item on time, by circumstances outside your control, you may apply in advance to your teacher for an extension to the due date of up to seven calendar days. <check links are still current>
More Information: http://www.rmit.edu.au/students/assessment/extension
Form to use: http://mams.rmit.edu.au/seca86tti4g4z.pdf
Where an extension of greater than seven days is needed, you must apply for special consideration. Applications for special consideration must be submitted no later than two working days after the assessment task deadline or scheduled examination. <check links are still current>
More Information: http://www.rmit.edu.au/browse;ID=g43abm17hc9w
Form to use: http://mams.rmit.edu.au/8a5dgcaqvaes1.pdf
Resubmissions (VET Programs):
If you are found to be unsuccessful in a Course Assessment Task you will be allowed one resubmission only. Your teacher will provide feedback regarding what you need to do to improve and will set a new deadline for the resubmission. The highest grade you will receive if your resubmission is successful is “CAG”.
If you are still not meeting the assessment requirements you must apply to your Program Manager in writing outlining the steps you will take to demonstrate competence in your course. Your submission will be considered by the Program Team and you will be advised of the outcome as soon as possible.
Adjustments to Assessment
In certain circumstances students may be eligible for an assessment adjustment. For more information about the circumstances under which the assessment arrangements might be granted please access the following website: <check link is still current>
More Information: http://rmit.edu.au/browse;ID=7usdbki1fjf31

Marking Guide (Competency):
You must demonstrate that you have all the required skills/knowledge/elements in the unit of competency you are studying.
You will receive feedback on each assessment task that will inform you about your progress and how well you are performing.


Marking Guide (Grading)
After achieving competency we then grade your performance in the unit and you will achieve one of the following grades:

Final Grades table:
CHD Competent with High Distinction
CDI Competent with Distinction
CC Competent with Credit
CAG Competency Achieved – Graded
NYC Not Yet Competent
DNS Did Not Submit for assessment
Further information regarding the application of the grading criteria will be provided by your teacher.
 


Assessment Matrix

Course Overview: Access Course Overview