ITI41520 Interaction Design (Autumn 2022)

The course is connected to the following study programs

Elective course in the master programme in applied computer science, full-time and part-time.

Recommended requirements

The student should have some experience on investigating or creating interactive systems evidenced through the completion of relevant courses in software and hardware prototyping, data science, cyber-physical systems, interaction design, design methods, or human computer interaction.

Lecture Semester

First or third semester (autumn) in the full-time programme.

First, third or seventh semester (autumn) in the part-time programme.

The student's learning outcomes after completing the course

Knowledge

By participating in the theoretical modules the student learns to:

• identify and describe contemporary trends in interaction design   and classify IxD projects accordingly
• formulate research questions and hypotheses for interaction design projects
• understand and reflect on choosing a design methodology for a specific project and appropriate documentation techniques
• explain and reflect on the results of interaction design projects

Skills

The student is able to

• perform a scientific literature review
• apply appropriate methods for designing new and existing technology for interaction between humans and machines
• prototype interaction design ideas at an appropriate level of fidelity using contemporary tools and techniques
• design, conduct, and analyse surveys, interviews, or experiments as appropriate
• document the findings in a way appropriate for scientific publication and present appropriately

General competence

The student gains

• competence in critical reading and reflection
• group-work skills

Content

The theoretical modules investigate contemporary trends in interaction design and design methods. Presentations demonstrate multimodal interfaces, virtual and augmented reality, mobile and wearable, as well as tangible, embodied, and sonic interaction design. Design methods from user-centred and participatory design as well as designing for specific user groups and research through design are discussed.

In project work, the student applies appropriate methods to investigate interaction between humans and machines. Projects may survey specific use contexts, create an interactive artifact or system, perform an empirical study, or a meta-analysis of a literature review. Projects are structured based on deadlines which offer the student several opportunities to get formative feedback during supervision. The results of the project should be documented in a way that is appropriate for scientific publication and may be submitted to an international academic conference.

Forms of teaching and learning

The Interaction design course is an advanced course in Interaction Design which consists of theoretical and project work modules. The following methods are used:

• Presentations
• Supervision
• Workshops
• Reading Circle
• Project Work

Workload

Approx. 280 hours.

Coursework requirements - conditions for taking the exam

The student must during the semester:

• present at least one paper from the reading list (individual or in a group) and lead a plenary discussion based on this.
• complete and present at least one approved group project.

Coursework requirements must be accepted to qualify for the exam.

Examination

Individual written exam and scientific documentation in groups

The exam is divided into two parts:

• Individual written exam (50%) based on the course curriculum. Duration 4 hours. No supporting materials allowed.
• Scientific documentation in groups (50%) based on the group project.

Grading scale A - F in both parts. Both parts of the exam must be passed to pass the course. The student will get an individual joint grade for the entire course.

Examiners

External and internal examiner, or two internal examiners.

Conditions for resit/rescheduled exams

Upon re-examination, each part of the examination can be retaken.

Course evaluation

This course is evaluated by a:

• Mid-term evaluation (compulsory)

The responsible for the course compiles a report based on the feedback from the students and his/her own experience with the course. The report is discussed by the study quality committee at the Department of Computer Science and Communication.

Literature

The current reading list for AUTUMN 2022 can be found in Leganto.