Course Title: Create user interfaces
Part B: Course Detail
Teaching Period: Term1 2016
Course Code: VART6061C
Course Title: Create user interfaces
School: 650T Vocational Business Education
Campus: City Campus
Program: C6102 - Advanced Diploma of Business (Public Relations)
Course Contact: Sally Parrott
Course Contact Phone: +61 3 9925 5175
Course Contact Email: sally.parrott@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
A person who applies the skills and knowledge outlined in this unit works to technical and creative specifications provided by a user interface designer or other designers.
There is scope for individual creativity because a person in this role is expected to generate a range of design options that respond to concepts documented in design specifications. However, these ideas need to demonstrate a sound understanding of user-centred design principles, as well as comply with standards that apply to the specific platforms on which the user interface will be run.
National Codes, Titles, Elements and Performance Criteria
National Element Code & Title: |
CUFDIG403A Create user interfaces |
Element: |
1. Clarify project requirements |
Performance Criteria: |
a. Use design specifications in consultation with relevant personnel to clarify the target user, audience and purpose of interactive media products |
Element: |
2. Generate ideas |
Performance Criteria: |
a. Research interactive media product user interfaces, designs, images, artwork and other creative sources that may inspire design ideas |
Element: |
3. Plan approach |
Performance Criteria: |
a. Select final design, incorporating feedback from relevant personnel as required |
Element: |
4. Produce user interfaces |
Performance Criteria: |
a. Use graphics software to develop structure for user interfaces based on final design concepts |
Element: |
5. Evaluate user interfaces |
Performance Criteria: |
a. Review user interfaces to assess effectiveness of creative solutions, appropriateness to the user and audience, and technical feasibility |
Learning Outcomes
This unit describes the performance outcomes, skills and knowledge required to create a user interface for an interactive media product.
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
| 1 | 8/2 | What are User Interfaces? Induction to the course Meet your teacher and class |
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| 2 | 15/2 | Introducing User Experience Presentation and exercises to introduce the concept of UX (User Experience). What is it and why is it so important? |
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| 3 | 22/2 | Evaluate User Interfaces Usability Heuristics and how to assess effectiveness, appropriateness to the user and audience and technical feasibility. |
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| 4 | 29/2 | Big Data Analytics and Infographics Examine the kind of data being collected. Examine how it can be used to create interesting and useful user interfaces. |
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| 5 | 7/3 | Big Data Analytics and Infographics Examine the kind of data being collected. Examine how it can be used to create interesting and useful user interfaces. |
Assessment 1 submission due: Sunday, 11pm |
| 6 | 14/3 | In class presentations | Assessment 1 Presentation In class |
| 7 | 21/3 | Brainstorming Look at different brainstorming techniques and idea generation. Plan approach: design selection, graphic software choice, explore typographical and visual design elements. Paper prototypes: concept sketches including functional areas and design specifications. |
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| - | 25 March – 3 April - Mid-Semester Break | - | - |
| 8 | 4/4 | Graphics - Branding your App Design and create a logo Create a style guide |
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| 9 | 11/4 | Use Software to Develop Prototypes Part 1 Apply visual design and communication principles to the development of user interfaces. Examine software tools, including tutorials on software techniques. UX tools. |
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| 10 | 18/4 | Use Software to Develop Prototypes Part 2 More time will be spent on giving students a chance to get accustomed with the software. |
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| 11 | 25/4 | Applying the Software Every pair will work on their assessment. The teacher will support. |
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| 12 | 2/5 | User Testing Exercises to prepare for pitching to client which is very different to an informative presentation. Students Apps should be in the final iteration stage, ready for in class feedback |
Assessment 2 submission due: Sunday, 11pm |
| 13 | 9/5 | In Class Presentations | Assessment 2: In Class Presentations |
| 14 | 16/5 | Preparation for Test Preparation for Assessment 3 (Test) |
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| 15 | 23/5 | Assessment 3 - In Class Test Individual test on Blackboard |
Assessment 3 - Due In Class |
Learning Resources
Prescribed Texts
References
Other Resources
Overview of Assessment
Students must demonstrate an understanding of all elements of a particular competency to be deemed competent. Assessment methods have been designed to measure achievement of each competency in a flexible manner over a range of assessment tasks.
Assessment will incorporate a variety of methods including assignments, journals, presentation and written or test. 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.
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.
Assessment Matrix
Course Overview: Access Course Overview