Module manager: Dr Omar HuertaCardosa
Email: O.I.HuertaCardosa@leeds.ac.uk
Taught: Semesters 1 & 2 (Sep to Jun) View Timetable
Year running 2024/25
This module is not approved as a discovery module
With product design and technology continuously evolving into the digital world and the emergence of new devices, it is important to understand the fundamentals of human-centred design and interaction design to enable an appropriate user experience. In this module students are introduced to the principles of human-centred design, visual design, perception, and cognition to help inform effective interactions and user experience design.
On completion of this module students should be able to:
-Recognise the difference between UX, IxD and understand how these are intertwined with the product design practice.
-Develop a comprehensive understanding of the UX and IxD process, from research and analysis to design and testing.
-To conduct user research and apply human-centred design principles to a current Level 3 product design project.
-To develop a comprehensive understanding of IxD principles to implement design solutions that are intuitive, efficient, and effective.
-To understand the visual design principles needed to create engaging and aesthetically pleasing interfaces.
-To design an appropriate UX and IxD for a selected Level 3 product design project.
-To understand the role of usability testing as a critical part of the UX design process, and to conduct a pilot usability test to inform the overall user experience.
On completion of this module students should be able to:
1. Recognise the value of human-centred design within the context of the product design discipline.
2. Identify the differences between UX, IxD and UI and how these relate to the Product Design discipline.
3. Translate user needs and design research into user interactions and interfaces, that are cohesively integrated into an overall user experience for a selected product design project.
4. Design user interfaces and product interactions that are intuitive, efficient, and effective.
5. Create and conduct a simple usability test to iteratively inform the design of interactions and experiences.
Upon successful completion of this module the following Engineering Council Accreditation of Higher Education Programmes (AHEP) learning outcome descriptors (third edition) are satisfied:
you are required to submit a formal request by completing the online change of programme form which you can find on the Student Education Services webpage at:
6. Be aware of business, customer and user needs, including considerations such as the wider engineering context, public perception and aesthetics [D1i]
7. Define the problem identifying any constraints including environmental and sustainability limitations; ethical, health, safety, security and risk issues; intellectual property; codes of practice and standards [D2i]
8. Communicate their work to technical and non-technical audiences [D6]
On successful completion of the module students will have demonstrated the following skills learning outcomes:
1. Information searching. [Academic skills]
2. Applying Creativity and Innovation [Enterprise skills].
3. Digital creation, problem-solving and innovation. [Digital skills].
4. Prototyping. [Technical skills].
This module provides an opportunity for students to develop an understanding of User Experience (UX) and Interaction Design (IxD), and to practically implement UX and IxD considerations and principles into a Level 3 Product Design project. The syllabus covers the following topics:
-Introduction to User Experience Design, Interaction Design and User Interface Design
-The role of UX in Product Design
-The 5 Elements of UX and other Key Factors
-Understanding Users through their activities
-Heuristic Evaluations
-Usability Testing
-UX and IxD Methods and Tools
-UX and IxD Portfolio-Building (Project)
| Delivery type | Number | Length hours | Student hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| Supervision | 10 | 2 | 20 |
| Lecture | 10 | 2 | 20 |
| Practical | 20 | 1 | 20 |
| Seminar | 10 | 2 | 20 |
| Independent online learning hours | 20 | ||
| Private study hours | 100 | ||
| Total Contact hours | 80 | ||
| Total hours (100hr per 10 credits) | 200 | ||
Students have the opportunity for regular formative feedback during the studio and review sessions.
| Assessment type | Notes | % of formal assessment |
|---|---|---|
| Assignment | Research & Concept Design Portfolio (Problem space) | 40 |
| Assignment | Interaction Design and User Experience Portfolio (Solution Space) | 60 |
| Total percentage (Assessment Coursework) | 100 | |
Any resit will take the form of a single design project with an academically equivalent brief to the previous projects. This will allow the student to demonstrate their learning from the module against the learning outcomes through a single portfolio and prototype.
The reading list is available from the Library website
Last updated: 4/29/2024
Errors, omissions, failed links etc should be notified to the Catalogue Team