Part B: Course Detail
Teaching Period: Term1 2024
Course Code: COMM5480C
Course Title: Design User Interfaces
School: 525T Business & Enterprise
Campus: City Campus
Program: C5400 - Diploma of Business (Public Relations)
Course Contact: Nick Reynolds
Course Contact Phone: +61 3 9925 0791
Course Contact Email: nick.reynolds@rmit.edu.au
Name and Contact Details of All Other Relevant Staff
Federico Viola
federico.viola@rmit.edu.au
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 skills and knowledge required to design user interfaces for animation, gaming and visual effects products. This involves interpreting design briefs, developing sketches and testing interface prototypes.
The unit applies to those who apply visual communication skills and work collaboratively in a team environment to develop final specifications for user interface designs.
National Codes, Titles, Elements and Performance Criteria
National Element Code & Title: |
CUADIG412 Design user interfaces |
Element: |
1. Identify project requirements |
Performance Criteria: |
1.1 Interpret design brief in consultation with required personnel 1.2 Confirm technical parameters of animation, gaming or visual effects products 1.3 Identify target audience and user characteristics 1.4 Assess information architecture specifications |
Element: |
2. Produce sketches and design specifications |
Performance Criteria: |
2.1 Develop preliminary sketches based on content architecture and audience characteristics 2.2 Develop screen layout sketches according to project requirements 2.3 Develop final interface sketches and demonstrate alignment of ideas generated to design brief 2.4 Review and modify interface sketches in consultation with required personnel 2.5 Write user interface design specifications and instructions for development teams 2.6 Adopt safe ergonomic practices when using screen and keyboards for extended periods of time |
Element: |
3. Test and finalise user interface designs |
Performance Criteria: |
3.1 Develop prototype of user interface according to project requirements 3.2 Plan and implement testing of interface design with sample users 3.3 Evaluate results of testing with required personnel and adjust content architecture in design specifications if required 3.4 Obtain final agreement on finished designs from required personnel |
Learning Outcomes
Performance Evidence
The candidate must demonstrate the ability to complete the tasks outlined in the elements, performance criteria and foundation skills of this unit, including evidence of the ability to:
- design at least two user interfaces for animation, gaming, and/or visual effects products.
In the course of the above, the candidate must:
- develop sketches including:
- visual design principles
- target audience characteristics
- content architecture specifications
- main spatial zones and functional areas
- produce specifications that:
- respond to the design brief
- meet technical, creative and formatting parameters
- include instructions for development teams
- exhibit safe ergonomic practices when using screens and keyboards.
Knowledge Evidence
The candidate must be able to demonstrate knowledge to complete the tasks outlined in the elements, performance criteria and foundation skills of this unit, including knowledge of:
- visual design principles
- user characteristics considered in design and development of interfaces
- spatial and functional areas of screen layout
- steps in testing prototype design
- common information architecture and design specifications
- typical formats and techniques for documenting user interface designs
- strategies to work collaboratively in a team environment
- basic work health and safety requirements when working on computers and keyboards including safe ergonomic practices
- common delivery platforms of interactive media products
- technical, creative and formatting parameters of interactive media platforms including:
- main spatial zones
- functional areas.
Details of Learning Activities
All learning activities are posted in the course shell on Canvas. You will be introduced to the learning activities on a weekly basis in class.
All activities are set up to increase engagement and to help students memorise the course content.
Teaching Schedule
Week |
Week Commencing |
Topic |
Readings and Activities |
Assessment |
1 |
12/2 |
Course Introduction |
Ergonomic Self-Assessment Checklist |
Assessment 1 Briefing |
2 |
19/2 |
Commence AT1 Form Groups for AT1 |
Formulate Brief Establish Dimensions for Platform Research Furniture Designer Complete Ergonomic Self-Assessment |
Assessment Task 1 – component: Ergonomic Self-Assessment Checklist to complete in class or at home
|
3 |
26/2 |
UX and UI Usability Heuristics Assessment 1 Groups |
Usability Heuristics Groups Selection of Designer for App/UI |
In-class Activity |
4 |
4/3 |
Research Ideation Plan Approach
|
Research and strategy Brainstorming Plan approach: design selection, graphic software choice, explore typographical and visual design elements. |
|
5 |
11/3 |
Design, Layout and Typography Zoning Paper Prototyping |
Layout and Scanning Patterns Apply visual design and communication principles to the development of user interfaces. Zoning exercises |
Commence wireframes |
6 |
18/3 |
Paper Prototyping (to be completed) |
Concept sketches including functional areas and design specifications. Wireframes |
Wireframes need to be completed by next week |
7 |
25/3 |
User Testing Style Guide |
Develop a usability checklist for the wireframes Develop a basic style guide Run user tests in class |
Assessment 1 Due, Sunday 11pm (Digital Upload)
|
|
29 March - 5 April |
Easter Break | ||
8 |
8/4 |
Presentations for Assessment 1 |
|
Assessment 1 Presentations |
9 |
15/4 |
Assessment 2 Briefing Software to Develop Prototypes Adobe XD Overview |
Look at graphic design software to create UIs |
Assessment 2 Briefing |
10 |
22/4 |
Adobe XD Workshop |
Adobe XD Workshop |
Mandatory Assessment 1 Feedback |
11 |
29/4 |
Adobe XD Workshop |
Adobe XD Workshop |
Mandatory Assessment 1 Feedback |
12 |
6/5 |
Adobe XD Workshop |
User testing (setup) |
Mandatory |
13 |
13/5 |
User Testing |
User testing |
Mandatory |
14 |
20/5 |
Work on Assessment |
Students Apps should be in the final iteration stage, ready for in-class feedback |
Assessment 2 Due, Sunday 11pm |
15 |
27/5 |
Presentations |
|
Assessment 2 Presentations |
16 |
3/6 |
Resubmissions only |
|
Late Presentations |
17 |
10/6 |
Resubmissions only |
|
|
Learning Resources
Prescribed Texts
References
Other Resources
All resources will be available in Canvas.
Overview of Assessment
Assessment Conditions
Skills in this unit must be demonstrated in a workplace or simulated environment where the conditions are typical of those in a working environment in this industry.
This includes access to:
- briefs on which to base user interface designs
- industry-standard equipment and facilities for user interface design
- interactions with others required to demonstrate the performance evidence
- sample users for testing interface design.
Feedback
Feedback will be provided throughout the semester in class and/or online discussions. You are encouraged to ask and answer questions during class time and online sessions so that you can obtain feedback on your understanding of the concepts and issues being discussed. Finally, you can email or arrange an appointment with your teacher to gain more feedback on your progress.
You should take note of all feedback received and use this information to improve your learning outcomes and final performance in the course.
Assessment Tasks
There are a total of two assessments for this course.
Assessment 1– Design User Interface
Date due: Week 7, 11:59pm Sunday
Presentation date due: Week 8, in class
Presentation Duration: 10 minutes
Assessment 1 is to be completed in teams of 4
Purpose:
In a group of 4 students design the user interfaces (screens) for an app. Plan for it to be turned into an interactive prototype, plan and conduct user tests.
Assessment 2 - Develop an App Prototype
Due dates:
- Digital Upload: Week 14, Sunday, 11:59pm
- Presentation: Week 15, in class
Presentation Duration: 10 - 15 minutes
Assessment 2 is to be completed in teams of 4
Purpose:
Based on assessment 2 the students need to test and develop an app prototype with user interfaces to meet the requirements of a client brief.
Assessment Matrix
The assessment matrix that maps all the assessment is available on CANVAS.
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 the Assessment task document that includes a declaration and statement of authorship.
- 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.
Other Information
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 five days.
More Information: https://www.rmit.edu.au/students/student-essentials/assessment-and-exams/assessment/extensions-of-time-for-submission-of-assessable-work
Where an extension of greater than five 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.
More Information: https://www.rmit.edu.au/students/student-essentials/assessment-and-exams/assessment/special-consideration
Resubmissions:
If you are found to be unsuccessful in a particular Course Assessment Task (or you do not submit/attend) you will be allowed one resubmission. Your teacher will provide feedback regarding what you need to do to improve and will set a new deadline for the resubmission.
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.
Grading & re-submissions
Successful re-submissions will contribute a CA only (Competency Achieved) result to your overall grade for the course.
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:
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.
Final outcomes table:
CA Competency Achieved – Not 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.
Course Overview: Access Course Overview