Course Title: Design User Interfaces

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    Assessment 1 Briefing	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    to be uploaded on Canvas by Sunday, end of day
4	4/3	Research   Ideation  Plan Approach	Research and strategy  Brainstorming  Look at different brainstorming techniques and idea generation.  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   Working on Assessment 1	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: 

https://www.rmit.edu.au/students/student-essentials/assessment-and-exams/assessment/adjustments-to-assessment

 

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