Module manager: Dr Omar Huerta Cardoso
Email: O.I.HuertaCardoso@leeds.ac.uk
Taught: Semester 1 (Sep to Jan) View Timetable
Year running 2026/27
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. The development of new products needs to be grounded on systematic evaluation techniques and an appreciation of human factors. In this module students are introduced to the concept of user experience design and the design of the elements that determine the interaction a user can have with a product or service. Principles of human-centred design, visual design, perception, and cognition will be covered and applied to a level 3 project 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.
Subject specific learning outcomes:
On successful completion of the module students will 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.
These module learning outcomes contribute to the following AHEP4 learning outcomes:
• Identify and analyse ethical concerns and make reasoned ethical choices informed by professional codes of conduct. [B8]
• Adopt an inclusive approach to engineering practice and recognise the responsibilities, benefits and importance of supporting equality, diversity and inclusion. [B11]
Skills learning outcomes:
On successful completion of the module students will be able to:
a. Carry out basic design research activities and use it to formulate design requirements and inform design evaluations.
b. Independently define user-product interactions and user experiences from the clear understanding, interpretation, and analysis of primary and secondary research.
c. Visualise and communicate conceptual user experiences and product interaction ideas using a variety of sketching and visualisation tools with elementary proficiency.
d. Build and test simple user experiences and product interactions through basic physical and digital prototyping.
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)
Manami White
You will also need to remove any pre-populated Assessment information and enter the standard disclaimer (instruction can be found here) Methods of assessment The assessment details for this module…
Just spotted it seems like the disclaimer will have to go at the end of the syllabus session
Methods of assessment
The assessment details for this module will be provided at the start of the academic year
If you will need to update this for the modules you have already completed, please let me know
| Delivery type | Number | Length hours | Student hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lecture | 11 | 2 | 22 |
| Practical | 4 | 1 | 4 |
| Independent online learning hours | 20 | ||
| Private study hours | 154 | ||
| Total Contact hours | 26 | ||
| Total hours (100hr per 10 credits) | 200 | ||
Check the module area in Minerva for your reading list
Last updated: 30/04/2026
Errors, omissions, failed links etc should be notified to the Catalogue Team