Unit Outline

Through this unit you will explore and analyse spaces of interaction that operate on different scales and with different sets of relations, for example human and non-human, analogue and digital. Drawing from diverse design methodologies you will learn approaches to design decision making through collaboration, empathy, diverse knowledge and insight. This unit introduces you to the roles of context, experience and feedback in design processes which are inherently fluid and messy. You will learn how to gain contextual understanding of a problem by applying different perspectives and drawing on experiences, histories, narratives, and data - of people, places, objects and systems. You will also develop methods for researching, conceptualising, and developing insights. By doing primary and secondary research on a given topic, you will create the foundation for designing an interface based on analysis, conceptual development and low-fi prototyping. Throughout the design process you will seek and provide feedback by engaging in design critique to evidence design decisions and refine your design.

Intended Learning Outcomes

As per the Assessment and Results Policy 1.3, your results will reflect your achievement against specified learning outcomes.

On completion of this unit, you will be able to:


1.	Conduct research to observe and explore principles of interaction at different scales
2.	Evaluate and carry out research methods to develop insights in an interaction design process
3.	Apply relevant design principles to a design process focused on interaction
4.	Engage in and apply feedback to design decision making and refinement

Requisites


REQUISITE TYPE	REQUISITES
Anti-requisite (mutual excl)	ZAD105

Alterations as a result of student feedback

To Be Determined.

How will I be Assessed?

For more detailed assessment information please see MyLO.

Assessment schedule


ASSESSMENT TASK #	ASSESSMENT TASK NAME	DATE DUE	WEIGHT	LINKS TO INTENDED LEARNING OUTCOMES
Assessment Task 1:	Contextual Analysis	Week 4	30 %	LO1, LO2
Assessment Task 2:	Development Portfolio	Week 9	30 %	LO1, LO2, LO3, LO4
Assessment Task 3:	Final Portfolio	Week 14	40 %	LO3, LO4

Assessment details

Assessment Task 1: Contextual Analysis

Task Description:

Looking and noticing are vital skills and tools for the practicing designer. Through looking and noticing we can develop detailed and alternate views of places and spaces of interaction. To increase our knowledge and understanding of things, we need to conduct research that provides both a local and global view of the thing we are looking at or interacting with. Through research and methods of looking and noticing we can identify and better understand the multiplicity of place and space, and how different people and things interact.

In this assessment you will devise and conduct a series of research strategies to develop a contextual understanding of a place of interaction. A place of interaction can be a digital interface, a public place such as a park, an object such as a chair, a piece of packaging, or a page layout. You will engage in strategies of looking and noticing to map and document your chosen place of interaction. Through your primary and secondary research, you will develop a series of visualisations that utilise maps, photo essays, words, drawings, and diagrams that document your journeys, interactions and experiences.

Task Length:

Maximum 6 x A3 pages + 800 word reflection

Due Date:

Week 4

Weight:

30 %

CRITERION #

CRITERION

MEASURES INTENDED

LEARNING OUTCOME(S)


1	Apply research and inquiry skills relative to the design context	LO1, LO2
2	Describe observations of the design artefact/s to communicate interpretations and meaning	LO1
3	Apply discipline knowledge to develop insights from practice	LO2

Assessment Task 2: Development Portfolio

Task Description:

In design terms, an interface may include any interaction between two or more things. For example, when we use a seat, we are interfacing with the furniture by sitting on it, when we read a newspaper, we are interfacing with the words on the pages and the paper, when we use a product or webpage, we are interfacing with the device by using the controls either in real life (a keyboard) or digitally (on-screen controls).

In this task you will demonstrate your ability to redesign an existing interface, of a given topic, by developing a contextual understanding developed through primary and secondary research. From your contextual analysis of the interface, you will apply appropriate design methods to produce a series of concepts and low fidelity prototypes. These concepts and prototypes will show evidence of a design process that oscillates between research, conceptualisation, refinement, and feedback. Each week you will engage in a group critique where you will give and gain feedback from your peers on your design concepts.

The final submission will be a 10-page portfolio that highlights and documents your research, conceptual thinking, feedback, and how these inform each other.

Task Length:

Maximum 10 x A3 pages

Due Date:

Week 9

Weight:

30 %

CRITERION #

CRITERION

MEASURES INTENDED

LEARNING OUTCOME(S)


1	Apply research and inquiry skills within a design process	LO1
2	Use design concepts and processes to identify and respond to a problem	LO2, LO3
3	Contribute ideas to critique and discussion	LO4

Assessment Task 3: Final Portfolio

Task Description:

In this assignment you will further develop one of your prototypes from Assessment Task 2 to gain feedback from appropriate and relevant sources. To gain insights you will need to consider and implement methods for obtaining data and information on the experiences your audience has with your prototype. Methods could include conversations, questionnaires, observing interactions, and/or conducting scenario-based tests. You will need to determine how you will collect and record this data for critical evaluation.

You will then interpret and distill the data and insights you collected to provide options on future refinements to your prototype. These options will then be discussed with your peers. Following the discussion, you will implement the refinements into a final prototype. The final submission will be a portfolio that highlights and documents your design journey and process.

Task Length:

Maximum 10 x A3 pages

Due Date:

Week 14

Weight:

40 %

CRITERION #

CRITERION

MEASURES INTENDED

LEARNING OUTCOME(S)


1	Devise and apply relevant design tools, techniques, and methods	LO3
2	Outline critical feedback to reflect on and inform actions	LO4
3	Create an evidence-based design artefact	LO3, LO4

How your final result is determined

To pass this unit, you need to demonstrate your attainment of each of the Intended Learning Outcomes, achieve a final unit grade of 50% or greater, and pass any hurdle tasks.

Submission of assignments

Where practicable, assignments should be submitted to an assignment submission folder in MYLO. You must submit assignments by the due date or receive a penalty (unless an extension of time has been approved by the Unit Coordinator). Students submitting any assignment in hard copy, or because of a practicum finalisation, must attach a student cover sheet and signed declaration for the submission to be accepted for marking.

Academic integrity

Academic integrity is about acting responsibly, honestly, ethically, and collegially when using, producing, and communicating information with other students and staff members.

In written work, you must correctly reference the work of others to maintain academic integrity. To find out the referencing style for this unit, see the assessment information in the MyLO site, or contact your teaching staff. For more detail about Academic Integrity, see Important Guidelines & Support.

Requests for extensions

If you are unable to submit an assessment task by the due date, you should apply for an extension.

A request for an extension should first be discussed with your Unit Coordinator or teaching support team where possible. A request for an extension must be submitted by the assessment due date, except where you can provide evidence it was not possible to do so. Typically, an application for an extension will be supported by documentary evidence: however, where it is not possible for you to provide evidence please contact your Unit Coordinator.

The Unit Coordinator must notify you of the outcome of an extension request within 3 working days of receiving the request.

Late penalties

Assignments submitted after the deadline will receive a late penalty of 5% of the original available mark for each calendar day (or part day) that the assignment is late. Late submissions will not be accepted more than 10 calendar days after the due date, or after assignments have been returned to other students on a scheduled date, whichever occurs first. Further information on Late Penalties can be found on the Assessments and Results Procedure.

Review of results and appeals

You are entitled to ask for a review of the marking and grading of your assessment task if there is an irregularity in the marking standards or an error in the process for determining the outcome of an assessment. Details on how to request a review of a mark for an assignment are outlined in the Review and Appeal of Academic Decisions Procedure.