Time Schedule:
Carolina F Mello-E-Souza
COM 597
Seattle Campus
Class description
What makes interactive experiences compelling and how are they designed? In this course, we will explore the historical significance and possible future implications of interactivity in the digital and physical realm.
We will have an overview of the theories that guide an interaction designer: heuristics (human perception), color theories; processes in project development such as brainstorming, flowcharting, wireframing, mock-ups, user research… We can then move on to study existing interfaces and the keys to making them effective; our focus is on computer interfaces but is not limited to its traditional “keyboard/mouse/monitor” triangle, we can extend to innovative consumer products such as the iPhone.
Finally, we explore applications such as search sites, online social networks, web 2.0 and games; how have these applications been impacting our lives and what can we expect in the future?
Student learning goals
By the end of this course, students will have demonstrated their understanding of the following through assigned work and class participation:
• The basic principles of usability in interaction design. • The part interaction design plays in product development. • The interaction design process. • A critical perspective on how interactive experiences are affecting our social behavior, our culture and our economy. • The state of the art, its historical context and take a peek at future trends in interaction design.
General method of instruction
Recommended preparation
Class assignments and grading
