Course Title: Design user interfaces

Part B: Course Detail

Teaching Period: Term1 2023

Course Code: COMM7369C

Course Title: Design user interfaces

Important Information:

Please note that this course may have compulsory in-person attendance requirements for some teaching activities. 

To participate in any RMIT course in-person activities or assessment, you will need to comply with RMIT vaccination requirements which are applicable during the duration of the course. This RMIT requirement includes being vaccinated against COVID-19 or holding a valid medical exemption. 

Please read this RMIT Enrolment Procedure as it has important information regarding COVID vaccination and your study at RMIT: https://policies.rmit.edu.au/document/view.php?id=209. 

Please read the Student website for additional requirements of in-person attendance: https://www.rmit.edu.au/covid/coming-to-campus 


Please check your Canvas course shell closer to when the course starts to see if this course requires mandatory in-person attendance. The delivery method of the course might have to change quickly in response to changes in the local state/national directive regarding in-person course attendance. 

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 required.

Course Description

This unit describes the skills and knowledge required to design user interfaces for interactive media products such as web environments, games or e-learning resources.

It applies to individuals 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:

CUADIG402 Design user interfaces

Element:

1. Identify project requirements

Performance Criteria:

1.1 Discuss concept with relevant personnel to clarify design briefs

1.2 Confirm technical parameters of interactive media products, including delivery platform

1.3 Identify target audience and user characteristics

1.4 Assess information architecture specifications

Element:

2. Produce design specifications

Performance Criteria:

2.1 Visualise concepts and develop preliminary sketches based on content architecture and audience characteristics

2.2 Use visual design principles to sketch screen layouts showing main spatial zones

2.3 Specify functional areas within screen layouts

2.4 Specify metaphors if required, and look and feel of user interfaces

2.5 Develop final detailed sketches taking into consideration all ideas generated

2.6 Review interfaces with relevant personnel and modify design if required to meet requirements of brief

2.7 Write user interface design specifications and instructions for development teams to use

2.8 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

3.2 Plan and implement testing of interface design with sample users

3.3 Evaluate results of testing and adjust information architecture in design specifications if required

3.4 Obtain final agreement on finished designs from relevant personnel

Learning Outcomes


On successful completion of this course you will have developed and applied the skills and knowledge required to demonstrate competency in designing user interfaces for interactive media products.

This course is structured to provide students with the optimum learning experience in order to demonstrate the skills and knowledge required to:

  • Identify project requirements
  • Produce design specifications
  • Test and finalise user interface designs.


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   

    

6/2   

    

Course introduction  
  
Assessment 1 briefing  

    

  

    

Assessment 1 Briefing  
       

2   

    

13/2  

    

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   

    

20/2   

    

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   

    

27/2   

    

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   

    

6/3   

    

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  

    

  
       

6   

    

13/3   

13/3 Labour Day  

    

Paper Prototyping (to be completed)  

    

Concept sketches including functional areas and design specifications.   

Wireframes  

    

Wireframes need to be completed by next week  
       

7   

    

20/3   

    

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)  

   
       

8   

    

27/3  

    

Presentations for Assessment 1  

    

  

    

Assessment 1 Presentations  
       

9   

    

3/4   

    

Assessment 2 Briefing  

Software to Develop Prototypes  

    

 Look at graphic design software to create UIs  

    

Assessment 2 Briefing  
       

    

    

7/4 - 16/4   

    

Easter Break 

    

 

    

 
       

10   

    

17/4   

    

Adobe XD Workshop 1  

    

Adobe XD Workshop  

    

Mandatory  
       

11   

    

24/4   

    

Adobe XD Workshop 2  

    

Adobe XD Workshop  

    

Mandatory  

Assessment 2 Feedback  
       

12   

    

1/5   

    

Adobe XD Workshop 3  

    

User testing (setup)  

    

Mandatory  
       

13   

    

8/5   

    

User Testing  

    

User testing  

    

Mandatory  
       

14   

    

15/5   

    

Work on Assessment  

    

Student Apps should be in the final iteration stage, ready for in-class feedback  

    

Assessment 2 Due, Sunday 11pm  
       

15   

    

22/5    

    

Presentations  

    

  

    

Assessment 2 Presentations  
       

16   

    

29/5  

    

Resubmissions only  

    

  

    

  
       

17   

    

5/6  

    

Resubmissions only  

    

  

    

  


Learning Resources

Prescribed Texts


References


Other Resources

All resources will be available in Canvas.

 


Overview of Assessment

Assessment Methods

A range of assessment methods will be used to assess practical skills and knowledge. The following assessment methods will be used specifically to assess your ability to design user interfaces:

  • Project management
  • Written reports supported by practical assignments or tasks for individual assessment
  • Observation of workplace practice supported by personal interviews
  • Practical display with personal interview, presentations or documentation
  • Case studies.

You will be assessed on the criteria below:

Performance Evidence

Evidence of the ability to:

develop sketches for user interfaces that consider:

  • visual design principles
  • target audience characteristics
  • content architecture specifications

produce user interface design specifications for an interactive media product that:

  • respond to the design brief
  • meet technical and creative parameters
  • are in appropriate format
  • include instructions for development teams
  • develop a prototype user interface design
  • plan and conduct testing of prototype and analyse findings for incorporation into designs
  • review ideas and design specifications with relevant personnel.

Knowledge Evidence

To complete the unit requirements safely and effectively, you must:

  • describe user characteristics considered in design and development of interfaces
  • explain spatial and functional areas of screen layout
  • explain steps in testing a prototype design
  • describe what is included in information architecture and design specifications
  • list typical formats and techniques for documenting user interface designs
  • identify basic health and safety requirements when working on computers and keyboards.

Assessment Conditions

You are advised that you are likely to be asked to personally demonstrate your assessment work to your teacher to ensure that the relevant competency standards received and use this information to improve your learning outcomes and final performance in the course are being met.

Assessment must be conducted in a safe environment where evidence gathered demonstrates consistent performance of typical activities experienced in creative arts industry environments. The assessment environment must include access to:

  • briefs on which to base user interface designs
  • sample users.

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 seven calendar 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 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.

 

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.

 

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): 

Feedback on your assignment and your results will be released via the rubric on Canvas. Assessment tasks will receive the following outcomes:

Satisfactory

Not Satisfactory

DNS (Did not Submit)

There are 3 assessments for this course, students must be deemed satisfactory i n all 3 assessments to be competent in this course.

Course grades will be given as:

CA (Competency Achieved)

NYC (Not Yet Competent)

DNS (Did not submit)

 

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.  

Further information regarding the application of the grading criteria will be provided by your teacher.

 

Course Overview: Access Course Overview