Module Catalogues

Studio 2: Interaction Design

Module Title Studio 2: Interaction Design
Module Level Level 1
Module Credits 5.00

Aims and Fit of Module

This module aims to introduce students to thinking about designed goods not only as shaped objects but also, and more importantly, as facilitators of interactive relationships that engage users along time lines. In an open-ended studio setting, students are invited to recognise and utilise aspects of interaction and usability as inspiration, references and constraints in open-ended design processes.

Learning outcomes

A	US3 – Ability to apply and integrate knowledge and understanding of other engineering and non-engineering disciplines to support engineering design activities.	Understanding of the social principles of human interaction design.
Understanding of the broad implications of human interfaces B E4 – Understanding of and ability to apply a systems approach to engineering design problem solving. Ability to follow structured steps to interaction design in the module project.
Ability to develop a self-paced work ethic in project progress.
C D1 – Ability to investigate and define an engineering problem and identify constraints, expressing as a design brief. Ability to identify usability issue with existing product, and define objectives for module project.
D D4 – Ability to use creativity to establish innovative engineering design solutions, justifying the selection of ideas. Ability to identify themes for innovative idea using card sorting and participatory design methods
E D6 – Knowledge and understanding of engineering design methods and tools and the ability to apply them to adapt new designs. Ability to use computers for 2D sketching and visualization.
F D8 – Ability to provide visualisations such as physical prototypes or models, or computer models or renderings of a product, system, component or process. Ability to use computers for 2D sketching and visualization.
G P10 – Ability to work with technical uncertainty, limited or contradictory information, being able to make value judgements in the solution of unfamiliar engineering design problems, understanding the limitations. Ability to foresee possible challenges of design prototyping, properly constrain the scope of design based on evidence.
H P12 – Ability to write, structure and present technical reports and specifications. Ability to compose report in team; ability to do presentation / demonstration as a team.

Method of teaching and learning

This is a studio module. Under tutorial supervision, and enhanced by lectures and other inputs of academic staff, individual students address a design brief which raises creative challenges pertaining to the issues of interaction design, and which raises human interaction as the particular concern for students to design for. Students are required to engage in human-centered design, and to present their developing design work in design review outside of their tutorial groups, enabling wider peer and staff feedback on their proposals. In addition, students are expected to conduct their own research into relevant materials, technology and precedents - for discussion and development in subsequent design tutorials. Students are encouraged to utilise hand drawing, model making, media tools and conceptualization contexts to develop a self-as well as team-paced work ethic of which studio tutorials and design reviews are key elements. Creativity of design thinking and originality is the primary concern in this design studio. The level of quality achieved in the students' design outcomes is as important as demonstrably creative, rigorous, self-critical and team-collaborative design development processes.