ISM 210 Introduction to User Experience Design (Formerly Ism 210)
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Summary
Why study Human-Computer Interaction? As more and more of our everyday lives become mediated by interactive systems, it becomes even more pressing to understand how to create an effective user experience. This course will help you understand what makes interactive systems such as web sites, mobile apps, and games easy to use, efficient, useful, and enjoyable. Students in this class will draw upon theory, principles, user research methods, and case examples to develop perspectives and skills for designing interactive systems.
Texts
- Saffer, Dan (2009). Designing for Interaction: Creating Innovative Applications and Devices (2nd Edition). ISBN: 0321643399
- Norman, Donald A. (2013). The Design of Everyday Things, Revised 3rd edition. ISBN: 978-0465050659.
Note that this is a new edition of the book.
Grading
- Participation: 10%
- Design Critique Paper: 15%
- Midterm Exam: 20%
- Final Exam: 15%
- Group Project (comprised of 5 deliverables):
- P1 User Research Plan: 3%
- P2 Research Results: 3%
- P3 Personas: 10%
- P4 Concept Exploration: 10%
- P5 Wireframes and Evaluation:14%
Prerequisites
None.
Class Format
Class meetings will involve a combination of lecture, discussions, hands-on activities, presentations of projects, and group work. I will encourage and expect participation and cooperation from each student, as the success and enjoyment of this class depends on it! Students will get more from the course if they are willing to collaborate and learning from each other.
Learning Outcomes
- Students will be able to critique a software application or device using principles of interaction design.
- Students will be able to apply user-centered research methods for need finding, generating insights, and developing concepts for interactive systems.
- Students will be able to apply user research to design a digital application (website or mobile app) and create an interactive prototype.
- Students will be able to apply usability and evaluation methods to improve and refine a design.
This syllabus is subject to change as necessary during the quarter. If a change occurs, it will be thoroughly addressed during class, posted under Announcements in D2L and sent via email.
Evaluations are a way for students to provide valuable feedback regarding their instructor and the course. Detailed feedback will enable the instructor to continuously tailor teaching methods and course
content to meet the learning goals of the course and the academic needs of the students. They are a requirement of the course and are key to continue to provide you with the highest quality of teaching. The
evaluations are anonymous; the instructor and administration do not track who entered what responses. A program is used to check if the student completed the evaluations, but the evaluation is completely
separate from the student’s identity. Since 100% participation is our goal, students are sent periodic reminders over three weeks. Students do not receive reminders once they complete the evaluation.
Students complete the evaluation online in CampusConnect.
This course will be subject to the university's academic integrity policy. More information can be found at http://academicintegrity.depaul.edu/ If you
have any questions be sure to consult with your professor.
All students are expected to abide by the University's Academic Integrity Policy which prohibits cheating and other misconduct in student coursework. Publicly sharing or posting online any prior or current materials from this course (including exam questions or answers), is considered to be providing unauthorized assistance prohibited by the policy. Both students who share/post and students who access or use such materials are considered to be cheating under the Policy and will be subject to sanctions for violations of Academic Integrity.
All students are required to manage their class schedules each term in accordance with the deadlines for enrolling and withdrawing as indicated in the University Academic Calendar. Information on enrollment, withdrawal, grading and incompletes can be found at http://www.cdm.depaul.edu/Current%20Students/Pages/PoliciesandProcedures.aspx.
Students who feel they may need an accommodation based on the impact of a disability should contact the instructor privately to discuss their specific needs. All discussions will remain confidential.
To ensure that you receive the most appropriate accommodation based on your needs, contact the instructor as early as possible in the quarter (preferably within the first week of class), and make sure that
you have contacted the Center for Students with Disabilities (CSD) at:
Lewis Center 1420, 25 East Jackson Blvd.
Phone number: (312)362-8002
Fax: (312)362-6544
TTY: (773)325.7296