Modern GUI and interaction design should be based on User Experience (UX), as UX have become the key success factor for digital systems. Computer engineers who will work in digital industry should have a solid understanding of UX to build successful and interactive systems. This course aims to provide students with the theoretical and applied UX knowledge that a computer engineer should have to design user-friendly GUIs. The students will learn the UX principles, and application of tools and techniques for evaluation and improvement of GUIs for various digital systems. The course will be enriched with class activities, and the term project will allow students to apply the tools and techniques they will learn in the course. The students will use “balsamiq,” a drag-drop wireframing software for GUI design.
B.Shneiderman, C.Plaisant, Designing the user interface, 5th Ed., Addison-Wesley, (2010)
Other Sources
J. Johnson, GUI Bloopers 2.0: Common User Interface Design Don'ts and Do's, Morgan Kaufmann Publishers - Academic Pres., 2007.
T.Tullis, B.Albert, Measuring the user experience, Morgan Kaufmann, 2008.
Course Schedules
Week
Contents
Learning Methods
1. Week
Course overview
Oral presentation, discussion
2. Week
Introduction, GUI and User Experience (UX), Technology Acceptance Model
Oral presentation, discussion,
3. Week
Interaction and interaction styles
Oral presentation, collaborative learning
4. Week
Human cognition, Gestalt principles
Oral presentation, collaborative learning
5. Week
Fitt's Law, Elements of UX, Nielsen heuristics
Oral presentation, collaborative learning
6. Week
UX Evaluation metrics, User test methodology and application
Oral presentation, collaborative learning
7. Week
Statistic refreshment and statistical analysis of UXdata
Oral presentation, problem solving
8. Week
Midterm Exam
Examination
9. Week
Statistical analysis of UX data, heuristic evaluation
Oral presentation, problem solving
10. Week
Heuristic evaluation
Oral presentation, collaborative learning
11. Week
Eye tracking, Computer System Usability Questionnaire (CQUQ), System Usability Survey (SUS)
Oral presentation, problem solving, collaborative learning
12. Week
GUI Design rules, Persona development
Oral presentation, collaborative learning
13. Week
Term project presentations
Oral presentation
14. Week
UX in mobile systems
Oral presentation, discussion
15. Week
16. Week
17. Week
Assessments
Evaluation tools
Quantity
Weight(%)
Midterm(s)
1
20
Homework / Term Projects / Presentations
1
20
Collaborative Learning Activities
6
25
Final Exam
1
35
Program Outcomes
PO-1
Adequate knowledge in mathematics, science and engineering subjects pertaining to the relevant discipline; ability to use theoretical and applied information in these areas to model and solve engineering problems.
PO-2
Ability to identify, formulate, and solve complex engineering problems; ability to select and apply proper analysis and modelling methods for this purpose.
PO-3
Ability to design a complex system, process, device or product under realistic constraints and conditions, in such a way so as to meet the desired result; ability to apply modern design methods for this purpose. (Realistic constraints and conditions may include factors such as economic and environmental issues, sustainability, manufacturability, ethics, health, safety issues, and social and political issues according to the nature of the design.)
PO-4
Ability to devise, select, and use modern techniques and tools needed for engineering practice; ability to employ information technologies effectively.
PO-5
Ability to design and conduct experiments, gather data, analyse and interpret results for investigating engineering problems.
PO-6
Ability to work efficiently in intra-disciplinary and multi-disciplinary teams; ability to work individually.
PO-7
Ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing; knowledge of a minimum of one foreign language.
PO-8
Recognition of the need for lifelong learning; ability to access information, to follow developments in science and technology, and to continue to educate him/herself.
PO-9
Awareness of professional and ethical responsibility.
PO-10
Information about business life practices such as project management, risk management, and change management; awareness of entrepreneurship, innovation, and sustainable development.
PO-11
Knowledge about contemporary issues and the global and societal effects of engineering practices on health, environment, and safety; awareness of the legal consequences of engineering solutions.
Learning Outcomes
LO-1
Students will explain the importance of GUI design and UX for the success of digital systems.
LO-2
Students will define interaction, give examples of interaction types and interactive systems.
LO-3
Students will understand the structure of human cognition, describe the application of Fitt's Law, give examples to Gestalt principles.
LO-4
Students will understand the elements of UX, give examples of Nielsen heuristics and GUI design rules.
LO-5
Students will understand user test methodology, and user test data analysis methods.
LO-6
Students will describe heuristic UX evaluation method.
LO-7
Students will understand the application of UX questionnaires.
LO-8
Students will understand principles of UX in mobile systems.
