Modules

Syllabus

Project


Module 1

Introduction to User-centered Design

Objectives

  1. Define Interaction Design
  2. Evaluate good and bad designs
  3. Evaluate an interactive product

Topics

  1. Frustrations of using everyday objects
  2. Visibility
  3. Affordance
  4. Constraints
  5. Consistency
  6. Conceptual Models
  7. Mapping
  8. Feedback

Readings

1. Design of Everyday Things, Preface and Chapter 1
2. Text Chapter 1
3. Text Chapter 2
4. Mart Laanpere's intro - has some excellent references
5. Used with permission Norman Review from Stanford CS147
6. Bad Designs
7. Become an ethnographer

Assignment (Homework 1)

1. Give your team a name and create your team web page. Include:

If you have no place to put your web page, try using Google Sites

Your Project Description page should include Part 1: A short description of your project

2. (INDIVIDUAL) Pick an "everday object" that you believe is a bad design and evaluate it using the following criteria: affordances, consistency, constraints, visibility, mapping, and feedback.

3. (INDIVIDUAL) Pick an "everday object" that you believe is a good design and evaluate it using using the following criteria: affordances, consistency, constraints, visibility, mapping, and feedback.

In addition, be prepared to discuss them in class next week.

4. (INDIVIDUAL) Repeat Questions 2 and 3, but for a web site intended for children.

    Describe briefly what the site is all about. Evaluate for affordances, consistency, constraints, visibility, mapping, and feedback.

5. (INDIVIDUAL) Become an ethnographer. Pick a group of people to observe for about one hour. What kind of activities is this group performing or trying to perform? Are they doing what they say they are doing? What are the barriers they face in performing their tasks? While it would be nice to observe the user group you intend for your project, that is not necessary.

Grading Criteria for this assignment