Degree Project in Interaction Design, 30 Credits

Contents

The course objective is for students to demonstrate the knowledge and skills needed to work professionally as an interaction designer. 
 
Module 1. Research, 6 credits 
The first thesis phase includes gathering of facts where the focus is on exploring the design context, define relevant design opportunities and to plan the further design work. 
 
Module 2. Independent design work, 19.5 credits 
The second thesis phase is performed as a design process. The focus of the course is to demonstrate the ability to communicate and collaborate in a professional manner with experts in the same or other fields, with project partners and prospective users of the intended product. As part of the examination, the student should in a professional manner account for the design process, argue for relevant facts, social context and a user focus to justify the 
methods, techniques and tools used to perform, explain and visualize the process and the result. 
 
Module 3. Presentation, 4.5 credits 
The thesis presented in writing as a report, orally and visually as a presentation, as well as in exhibition form.

Expected learning outcomes

After completing the course, the student shall be able to:

Knowledge and understanding 

• Exhibit maturity in the selection, execution, analysis and documentation of the methods used in the initial investigation and in user and field studies, as well as in evaluating the initial design concept and approval of the final design proposal. 
• Demonstrate the ability to independently and creatively formulate new questions within the design field and contribute to its development, to relate this to the ability to identify their own needs for knowledge, as well as take responsibility for their own acquisition of knowledge and skills. 
• Reflect on the aesthetic and time-based properties of the interaction experience, from an individual and socio-cultural perspective, as well as from an holistic perspective. 

Competence and skills 

• Demonstrate advanced skills in project planning, by independently establishing and carrying out a design project in order to find a fitting response to the defined design opportunity. The project plan must include an individual schedule and project budget. 
• Communicate expertly with both experts and laymen within the design area, as well as with professionals in other fields during different phases of the project, as well as demonstrate maturity in the processing and evaluation of the obtained response. 
• Demonstrate the ability to, with a developed own expression, create and implement their own ideas by choosing the appropriate tools for the manifestation or visualization of the project. 
• Orally and in a written report in English, clearly describe, analyze and reflect on their design process and the final outcome in relation both to the specific project and the education and future professional design contexts. 

Judgement and approach 

• Identify and define relevant design opportunities of high complexity within the topic of interaction design, and argue for its relevance in relation to both the profession and the social context with a clear user -focused approach 
• Demonstrate an ability to make assessments based on artistic, social and ethical aspects and apply them to the design process. 

Required Knowledge

A Bachelor's degree or equivalent first-cycle qualification comprising of at least 180 ECTS or a corresponding qualification from an internationally recognized university. Specific entry requirements are: 60 ECTS credits in the field of Design. Student must have passed all previous courses on the Master`s Programme in Interaction Design at Umeå Institute of Design. Proficiency in English equivalent to Swedish upper secondary course English B/6.

Form of instruction

An important part of the learning during the course consists of the students own time planning and work during a 20 week period. Thus, the course is to a large extent student driven, with support in the form of tutoring by the project tutor(s) and supervision by the course responsible. Education is carried out in English.

Examination modes

Examination is carried out in the form of presentations - oral, visual and written - at specific gateways during the course and as a final presentaiton at the end of the course. 
 
After completing the course, one of the grades Fail (U) or Pass (G) is awarded the student. Students receive a grade of either Pass (G) or Fail (U) for each gateway, and for the final examination. In order to obtain credit for the course, the student must have: produced an approved project brief with problem statement and time plan, made approved presentations at specific gateways, made an approved final oral and visual presentation of the project including a presentation model and an exhibition poster: produced an approved written report, documenting the work process and the final result..

For students in need of special pedagogical support due to disabilities, individual adaptation of examination forms should always be considered based on the student's needs. The examination form is adjusted within the framework of the course syllabus intended learning outcomes. The course coordinating teacher shall, upon request from the student, consult with the examiner to quickly decide on an adjusted form of examination. The decision shall then be conveyed to the student.

For students who have not obtained the grade Pass, other examination sessions will be arranged. A student who for two consecutive examinations for the same course or sub-course has not been passed, has the right to have another examiner appointed, if there are no special reasons against this (Higher Education Ordinance chapter 6, 22 §). The request for a new examiner shall be made in writing to the Head of Department at Umeå Institute of Design.

ACADEMIC CREDIT TRANSFER
Equivalency credits cannot be given to this course since it is a concluding course and a summary of the knowledge the students has assimilated during the studies at Umeå Institute of Design.