MDIA 3306 - User Experience Design

North Terrace Campus - Semester 2 - 2019

Media-driven service innovation changes the nature of physical artefacts and their environments by integrating media systems and resources with the physical world. This course enables students to examine how user experience design could redefine the meaning, value and functionality of physical products and systems and transforms them into highly integrated service systems able to enhance the sustainability and humaneness of our social and economic environments while offering industries a competitive edge. The course introduces students to the major theories of user experience design, and analyses the design strategies that companies use to transform user-oriented service innovations into economic growth and gain competitive advantage in national and global marketplaces. It enables students to explore the integration of service systems into physical systems, backed by research and development, design capabilities, and adaptability and personalisation.

  • General Course Information
    Course Details
    Course Code MDIA 3306
    Course User Experience Design
    Coordinating Unit Media
    Term Semester 2
    Level Undergraduate
    Location/s North Terrace Campus
    Units 3
    Contact 3 hours per week
    Available for Study Abroad and Exchange N
    Prerequisites MDIA 1007, MDIA 2336
    Assumed Knowledge Basic media production knowledge and skills, as covered in MDIA 1007
    Quota A quota of 75 applies
    Course Description Media-driven service innovation changes the nature of physical artefacts and their environments by integrating media systems and resources with the physical world. This course enables students to examine how user experience design could redefine the meaning, value and functionality of physical products and systems and transforms them into highly integrated service systems able to enhance the sustainability and humaneness of our social and economic environments while offering industries a competitive edge. The course introduces students to the major theories of user experience design, and analyses the design strategies that companies use to transform user-oriented service innovations into economic growth and gain competitive advantage in national and global marketplaces. It enables students to explore the integration of service systems into physical systems, backed by research and development, design capabilities, and adaptability and personalisation.
    Course Staff

    Course Coordinator: Dr Aaron Humphrey

    Course Timetable

    The full timetable of all activities for this course can be accessed from Course Planner.

  • Learning Outcomes
    Course Learning Outcomes
    On successful completion of this course students will be able to:
    1. Apply the principles of user experience design to create exceptional digital media content that resonates with audiences.
    2. Collect and analyse data about user experiences in order to build empathy with audiences and understand their needs.
    3. Solve design problems in innovative ways using tools including user personas, conceptual maps and task analysis.
    4. Rapidly create and refine designs using mock-ups, user testing, prototypes and other iterative systems.
    5. Understand how concepts like interface design, interaction design and information architecture influence the emotional experience of using digital media.
    6. Work with a team to create, test and refine complex multimodal and multiplatform interactive media experiences.





    University Graduate Attributes

    This course will provide students with an opportunity to develop the Graduate Attribute(s) specified below:

    University Graduate Attribute Course Learning Outcome(s)
    Deep discipline knowledge
    • informed and infused by cutting edge research, scaffolded throughout their program of studies
    • acquired from personal interaction with research active educators, from year 1
    • accredited or validated against national or international standards (for relevant programs)
    1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6
    Critical thinking and problem solving
    • steeped in research methods and rigor
    • based on empirical evidence and the scientific approach to knowledge development
    • demonstrated through appropriate and relevant assessment
    1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6
    Teamwork and communication skills
    • developed from, with, and via the SGDE
    • honed through assessment and practice throughout the program of studies
    • encouraged and valued in all aspects of learning
    1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6
    Career and leadership readiness
    • technology savvy
    • professional and, where relevant, fully accredited
    • forward thinking and well informed
    • tested and validated by work based experiences
    1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6
    Intercultural and ethical competency
    • adept at operating in other cultures
    • comfortable with different nationalities and social contexts
    • able to determine and contribute to desirable social outcomes
    • demonstrated by study abroad or with an understanding of indigenous knowledges
    1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6
    Self-awareness and emotional intelligence
    • a capacity for self-reflection and a willingness to engage in self-appraisal
    • open to objective and constructive feedback from supervisors and peers
    • able to negotiate difficult social situations, defuse conflict and engage positively in purposeful debate
    1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6
  • Learning & Teaching Activities
    Learning & Teaching Modes
    The hands-on component of this course is a three-hour workshop, where we will work together on designing, prototyping and testing a variety of media products. Prior to attending each workshop, you will need to engage with online study resources to develop your understanding of the course content that we will be exploring together in the workshops. Your design work will also extend into time outside of class, including work on group projects. We will use the workshops as a kind of design laboratory – a way of testing new ideas, gathering feedback and sharing what we have discovered outside of class.
    Workload

    The information below is provided as a guide to assist students in engaging appropriately with the course requirements.

    WORKLOAD TOTAL HOURS
    1 x 3-hour workshop per week 36 hours per semester
    3 hours reading and research per week 36 hours per semester
    6 hours design and project work per week 72 hours per semester
    1 hour assignment preparation per week 12 hours per semester
    Learning Activities Summary
    Schedule
    Week 1 Preperation (no workshops this week)
    Week 2 Introduction to User Experience Design
    Week 3 'The Problem Space'
    Week 4 Needs Assessment
    Week 5 Innovation and the Design Process
    Week 6 Interaction Design
    Week 7 Prototyping and Testing
    Week 8 Multimodal Experiences
    Week 9 Design research (no workshops this week)
    Week 10 Testing and Revision
    Week 11 Push and Polish
    Week 12 Final Presentations
    Specific Course Requirements
    Students will have after-hours access to the Media computer labs and software, including Adobe Creative Cloud.
  • Assessment

    The University's policy on Assessment for Coursework Programs is based on the following four principles:

    1. Assessment must encourage and reinforce learning.
    2. Assessment must enable robust and fair judgements about student performance.
    3. Assessment practices must be fair and equitable to students and give them the opportunity to demonstrate what they have learned.
    4. Assessment must maintain academic standards.

    Assessment Summary
    Assessment Task Task Type Weighting Learning Outcome
    Problem Space/Needs Assessment report Formative, Individual 20% 2
    Design Proposal Formative, Individual 20% 2, 3
    Final Design Presentation Summative, Group 10% 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6
    Individual Reflection on Design and Innovation Summative, Individual 20% 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6
    Design Project Report Summative, Group 20% 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6
    Participation Formative and Summative, Individual 10% 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6
    Assessment Detail

    No information currently available.

    Submission
    All written assignments are to be submitted electronically via MyUni.
    Assessment of group assignments will be be moderated to reflect the contributions of individual members.
    In accordance with School of Humanities policies, late assignments will recieve a penalty of -2% per each day late, and will not be accepted more than seven days after the deadline without an extension.
    Requests for deadline extensions must be recieved in advance of assignment deadlines, and must be accompanied by an Access Plan or an Application for Assessment Extension.
    Course Grading

    Grades for your performance in this course will be awarded in accordance with the following scheme:

    M10 (Coursework Mark Scheme)
    Grade Mark Description
    FNS   Fail No Submission
    F 1-49 Fail
    P 50-64 Pass
    C 65-74 Credit
    D 75-84 Distinction
    HD 85-100 High Distinction
    CN   Continuing
    NFE   No Formal Examination
    RP   Result Pending

    Further details of the grades/results can be obtained from Examinations.

    Grade Descriptors are available which provide a general guide to the standard of work that is expected at each grade level. More information at Assessment for Coursework Programs.

    Final results for this course will be made available through Access Adelaide.

  • Student Feedback

    The University places a high priority on approaches to learning and teaching that enhance the student experience. Feedback is sought from students in a variety of ways including on-going engagement with staff, the use of online discussion boards and the use of Student Experience of Learning and Teaching (SELT) surveys as well as GOS surveys and Program reviews.

    SELTs are an important source of information to inform individual teaching practice, decisions about teaching duties, and course and program curriculum design. They enable the University to assess how effectively its learning environments and teaching practices facilitate student engagement and learning outcomes. Under the current SELT Policy (http://www.adelaide.edu.au/policies/101/) course SELTs are mandated and must be conducted at the conclusion of each term/semester/trimester for every course offering. Feedback on issues raised through course SELT surveys is made available to enrolled students through various resources (e.g. MyUni). In addition aggregated course SELT data is available.

  • Student Support
  • Policies & Guidelines
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