Skills and Techniques, IxD, 7.5 Credits

Contents

The course provides an introduction to Umeå Institute of Design and its educational resources. It also provides knowledge and practice of core artistic skills required in the field of interaction design. The content consists of four modules:

Module 1: Introductory week (1.5 credits)
A series of lectures, activities and assignments give all new students basic information about culture, routines, resources and opportunities that exist at Umeå Institute of Design.

Module 2: Express your personal attitude (1.5 credits)
An exercise where the students interview each other and then individually reflect and create a graphic work that  expresses the student's personal and initial attitude to the subject of interaction design.

Module 3: Methods in Interaction Design (3 credits)
This module introduces basic concepts and principles that have been instrumental in the emergence of the subject of interaction design. Students are introduced to different and complementary perspectives, such as: (a) human-machine interaction, human-computer interaction, and user-centered design; (b) critical design and service design

Module 4: Basic Skills (1.5 credits)
This module introduces the techniques and safety measures that must be observed when utilising the workshops at Umeå Institute of Design

Expected learning outcomes

Upon successful completion of the course the students should be able to:

Knowledge and understanding

• Independently utilise the facilities of Umeå Institute of Design.
• Describe in detail the basic principles for interaction design and describe alternative perspectives within user-centered design.
• Have good knowledge of all safety measures required when independently using tools and machines in the workshops of Umeå Institute of Design.
• Have familiarity with the role of interaction design in sustainability and inclusivity issues.

Competence and skills

• Use relevant tools to independently create two- and three-dimensional shapes.
• Clearly communicate an abstract concept with graphics in an artistic way at a high technical level.

Judgement and approach

• Independently reflect and express their personal stance towards the topic of interaction design.

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. Proficiency in English equivalent to Swedish upper secondary course English B/6.

Form of instruction

The course consists of lectures, practical exercises and tutorials.

Examination modes

Examination in the first, second and third modules are based on the submission of results from individual assignments or group assignments. If several students complete assignments together, an individual assessment must be ensured. The fourth module is examined based on practical tests done in the presence of an examiner. In order to pass the entire course, all of the various exercises and obligatory assignments must be completed, submitted and approved. On each of the four modules and forteh course as a whole, one of the grades Fail (U) or Pass (G) is given.

Deviations from the course syllabus examination form can be made for a student who has a decision on pedagogical support due to disability. Individual adaptation of the examination form should be considered based on the student's needs. The examination form is adapted within the framework of the expected syllabus of the course syllabus. At the request of the student, the course responsible teacher, in consultation with the examiner, must promptly decide on the adapted examination form. The decision must then be communicated 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
Students have the right to request that previous studies, or equivalent knowledge and skills acquired in a professional, work-related capacity, be validated and transferred into credits on an equivalent course or programme at Umeå University. Applications for credit transfer should be addressed to Student Services/Degree Evaluation Office. More information can be found at the Umeå University student web site (www.student.umu.se/english) and in Chapter 6 of the Higher Education Ordinance. Appeals may be made to the Higher Education Appeals Board (ÖNH) against a decision by the university not to approve an application for credit transfer (Higher Education Ordinance, Chapter 12), even in cases where only a part of the application has been rejected.