Time Schedule:
Miles Reid
IMT 540
Seattle Campus
Introduction to the theory and practice of user-centered design. Examines design methods for identifying and describing user needs, specifying and prototyping new systems, and evaluating the usability of systems. Examines design methodologies such as contextual design and value-sensitive design, giving specific emphasis to human-information interaction. Prerequisite: permission of instructor.
Class description
This is a core course in the Master of Science in Information Management. A core topic of information Management is design, which covers skills in requirements analysis, information and visual design, and evaluation of socio-technical systems. The focus of this course is on design methods and methodologies that are applicable to a wide range of technological platforms, organizations, and human needs.
The course will be an introduction to the theory and practice of user-centered design. We will examine design methods for identifying and describing user needs, specifying and prototyping new systems, and evaluating the usability of systems. Topics such as contextual design, value-sensitive design, and human-information interaction will be addressed.
On Completion of this course, students should be able to: • Approach vague, open-end problems through a design sensibility • Given a problem setting, critically discuss the appropriateness of potential design methodologies such as contextual design, scenario-based desing, task-based, participatory and value-sensitive design. • Critically discuss the merits of the waterfall model and rapid prototyping in user-centered design • Discuss the various roles in information system design, including: visual designers, interactions designers, information architects, design ethnographers, project managers, product managers, technical developers and most importantly the user. • Gather useful information about users and activities through observation or systematic inquiry • Use, adapt and extend classic design standards, guidelines, and patterns • Employ selected design methods at a basic level of competence: affinity diagrams, card sorting, claims analysis, scenarios of use, personas, use cases, task analysis, social impact statements, conceptual modeling, heuristic evaluation, and usability evaluation. • Employ notation to specify information structure and flow. • Employ Wire-frames to describe appropriate arrangement of navigation elements • Understand user interface elements and their basic uses (fields, checkboxes, radio buttons, select lists, color, images, text etc.) • Create and describe visual styles for systems • Create and evaluate a paper prototype for a small system
Student learning goals
General method of instruction
Open Discussion 30 min. Individual Presentations 1 hr. -break- Topic Presentation 1 hr. Team/Lab 1 hr.
Recommended preparation
Class assignments and grading
