Main Field of Study and progress level:
Industrial Design: First cycle, has at least 60 credits in first-cycle course/s as entry requirements
Cognitive Science: First cycle, has at least 60 credits in first-cycle course/s as entry requirements
Grading scale: Pass with distinction, Pass, Fail
Responsible department: Umeå Institute of Design (UID)
Revised by: Faculty Board of Science and Technology, 2022-02-08
Contents
The course gives an overview of interaction design and its role in industrial design and product development. The aim of the course is to give a basic insight into interaction design through the highlighting of the possibilities for cooperation between interaction designers and cognitive scientists. The processes and work methods used in industrial design and interaction design are introduced, and applied in a project that runs throughout the course. The course aim is to give basic skills and knowledge in interface construction from a design perspective. Emphasis is placed on user perspectives, typography, layout and general graphic design and also the visual expression of the interface design. The ability to create, visualise, test and evaluate various types of interfaces is practiced through the whole course. Different methods for visualisation, manual as well as computer aided, are applied in the project and a strong focus is placed on communication of ideas and results orally, visually and in writing.
Expected learning outcomes
After completing the course, the student shall be able to:
-account for central concepts and methods in the interaction design field and relate these to central concepts and methods in the field of cognitive science.
-assess, evaluate, discuss and construct graphic user interfaces based on aspects of usability, and relate these to aesthetic and product semantic criteria.
-apply methods for, and independently conduct and evaluate, user studies in companies and organisations.
-apply skills and knowledge previously obtained in their studies in a design project focused on interaction design.
-conduct a design project in a group, or team, and present the work process and result of this orally, visually and in writing.
-orally and in writing describe and reflect upon their own individual design process.
Required Knowledge
Basic requirements for higher education. For admission to the course, students must also have 60 credits in the subject of cognitive science or the equivalent. Of these 60 credits, the first term of the BA programme in Cognitive science at Umeå university shall be included. An applicant who does not fulfil the requirements can, under certain conditions, be granted exemption from these and be admitted to the course anyway: This applies to students in the fields of industrial design, cognitive science, and engineering with focus on interaction and design. A written motivation shall then be sent by the student to the course and programme responsible for assessment.
Form of instruction
Teaching methods include lectures, seminars, tutoring, practical assignments, group and project work. Students work both individually and in groups with assignments and projects. Education is carried out in English.
Examination modes
After completing the course, one of the grades Fail (U), Pass (G) or Pass with distinction (VG) is awarded the student. In order to obtain credit for the course, all assignments and examinations must be completed with a minimum grade of Pass. The grade on the course is based on all the different forms of examination, and is set when all mandatory assignments have been carried out. For Pass (G), students must be present at the teacher led education that is of assessment character, and also present a visual, oral and written presentation of a group project work as well as an individual written assignment. 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 Department board of the Umeå Institute of Design.
ACADEMIC CREDIT TRANSFER
Equivalency credits for this course can only be given if it can be shown through transcripts and course plans that a similar course has been passed, and after the course responsible and director of single subject courses have evaluated and approved the students individual level of skills and knowledge.
Literature
The literature list is not available through the web.
Please contact the faculty.
