Simon Fraser University
Engaging the World

Course Outlines

Spring 2021 - IAT 333 D100

Interaction Design Methods (3)

Class Number: 6696

Delivery Method: In Person

Overview

  • Course Times + Location:

    Jan 11 – Apr 16, 2021: Tue, 2:30–5:20 p.m.
    Burnaby

  • Prerequisites:

    Completion of 48 credits, including IAT 265. Recommended: IAT 102 or 233.

Description

CALENDAR DESCRIPTION:

Examines concepts of design practice and related design methods for interaction designers. Design methods include ethnography, personas, design games, role-playing, scenarios, participatory workshops, and prototyping.

COURSE DETAILS:

This course is about  design practice and methods for interaction and user experience designers. Students will learn design methods focused on understanding the needs of the people for whom we design. These methods include design ethnography, personas, storyboarding, scenarios, journey frameworks, participatory workshops, and concept generation. In addition to readings, students will engage in a major interaction design project with an external partner/client.    

Interaction and user experience design requires design decisions to be responsive to and inclusive of the stakeholders in the design process. This course explores the range of relevant techniques and methods that will enable future designers to do exactly that. In addition, the course introduces reflective practice as mode of understanding and discussing the design process.

Lectures and readings complement the studio assignments.

COURSE-LEVEL EDUCATIONAL GOALS:

Learning outcomes expected for students include:

- Develop an understanding of interaction and user experience design practice

- Understand a range of design methods and techniques

- Demonstrate the ability to work successfully with project stakeholders and clients

- Demonstrate an ability to synthesize appropriate methods and techniques through a semester-long project

 

Grading

  • Method Project 1 - Team 10%
  • Method Project 2 - Team 10%
  • Method Project 3 - Team 10%
  • Method Project 4 - Team 10%
  • Method Project 5 - Team 10%
  • Method Project 6 - Team 10%
  • Method Project 7 - Team 10%
  • Quizzes 10%
  • Final Concept 20%

REQUIREMENTS:

You will need to have:

  • access to a high-speed internet connection
  • a laptop or PC with a camera and a microphone
  • Adobe software Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign, and Acrobat Reader

You will be responsible for installing and ensuring that software works on your computer. Please see Adobe website for cost of software. There are free software packages and/or apps that have similar features to Adobe that you can use but keep in mind that there is no tech support provided by the course on installing or troubleshooting software problems or installation. 

Please ensure you have access before registering.

Materials

REQUIRED READING:

Readings will be available digitally through the online-course platform

Registrar Notes:

ACADEMIC INTEGRITY: YOUR WORK, YOUR SUCCESS

SFU’s Academic Integrity web site http://www.sfu.ca/students/academicintegrity.html is filled with information on what is meant by academic dishonesty, where you can find resources to help with your studies and the consequences of cheating.  Check out the site for more information and videos that help explain the issues in plain English.

Each student is responsible for his or her conduct as it affects the University community.  Academic dishonesty, in whatever form, is ultimately destructive of the values of the University. Furthermore, it is unfair and discouraging to the majority of students who pursue their studies honestly. Scholarly integrity is required of all members of the University. http://www.sfu.ca/policies/gazette/student/s10-01.html

TEACHING AT SFU IN SPRING 2021

Teaching at SFU in spring 2021 will be conducted primarily through remote methods. There will be in-person course components in a few exceptional cases where this is fundamental to the educational goals of the course. Such course components will be clearly identified at registration, as will course components that will be “live” (synchronous) vs. at your own pace (asynchronous). Enrollment acknowledges that remote study may entail different modes of learning, interaction with your instructor, and ways of getting feedback on your work than may be the case for in-person classes. To ensure you can access all course materials, we recommend you have access to a computer with a microphone and camera, and the internet. In some cases your instructor may use Zoom or other means requiring a camera and microphone to invigilate exams. If proctoring software will be used, this will be confirmed in the first week of class.

Students with hidden or visible disabilities who believe they may need class or exam accommodations, including in the current context of remote learning, are encouraged to register with the SFU Centre for Accessible Learning (caladmin@sfu.ca or 778-782-3112).