Syllabus

Foundations of Interaction Design:
This module introduces the core principles and scope of interaction design, exploring what constitutes good and poor design and how usability, accessibility, inclusiveness, and user experience goals shape interactive systems. Students will understand how user needs, behaviors, and goals influence design decisions. The process of interaction design, conceptual models, interaction types, paradigms, theories, and frameworks are also covered, providing a strong foundation for building user-centered interactive products.

Cognitive, Social, and Emotional Aspects of Interaction:
Students explore how users think, perceive, and process information when interacting with systems. Cognitive models and frameworks are introduced to support user-centered design decisions. Social interaction concepts such as face-to-face vs. remote communication, co-presence, and collaboration are analyzed to inform system design. Emotional aspects — including affective design, persuasive technologies, and anthropomorphic interfaces — are discussed to enhance user engagement and satisfaction.

Data-Driven Design: Gathering, Analysis, and Requirements:
This module focuses on the role of data in shaping interaction design. Students will learn various data-gathering techniques such as interviews, questionnaires, and observation, as well as how to choose and combine methods effectively. Quantitative and qualitative analysis techniques, visualization, and interpretation of findings are explored. The module also addresses ethical considerations in data handling and how data at scale can inform design. Techniques for discovering and capturing user requirements through personas, scenarios, and use cases are emphasized.

Interface Design, Prototyping, and Construction:
Students learn about various interface types, including graphical, tangible, and natural user interfaces, and explore emerging interaction paradigms. The module emphasizes conceptual and concrete design, guiding students through the prototyping process using appropriate tools and methods. It also covers the construction of interactive systems, ensuring that prototypes balance usability, functionality, and emotional engagement while reflecting user needs and behaviors.

Evaluation and Interaction Design in Practice:
The final module focuses on evaluating interactive systems and applying interaction design principles in real-world contexts. Students will study the purpose, timing, and methods of evaluation, including usability testing, field studies, heuristic evaluation, walkthroughs, analytics, A/B testing, and predictive models. Practical design approaches such as AgileUX, design patterns, and open-source resources are introduced, enabling students to create, iterate, and refine interactive solutions that meet user requirements and industry standards.

Understand the foundational principles of interaction design, usability, accessibility, and inclusiveness.

Apply user-centered design processes and integrate cognitive, social, and emotional aspects into interactive systems.

Employ data-gathering and analysis techniques to inform requirements and guide design decisions.

Design and prototype various types of interactive interfaces using appropriate tools and methods.

Evaluate interactive systems and apply interaction design practices such as AgileUX and design patterns to real-world solutions.

Explain key principles of interaction design and user experience, and evaluate systems for usability and accessibility.

Apply cognitive, social, and emotional principles to create engaging user interactions.

Collect, analyze, and interpret user data to define requirements and guide design decisions.

Design and prototype effective interactive interfaces that address user needs and behaviors.

Conduct evaluations and implement real-world interaction design solutions using industry practices and tools.

R.S. Bridger , Introduction to Human Factors and Ergonomics, Taylor & Francis , 2017

Helen Sharp, Jenny Preece, Yvonne Rogers , INTERACTION DESIGN 5/E, Wiley , 2019

Norman, Donald A. (2014), The Design of Everyday Things, Basic Books

Krug, Steve (2014), Don’t Make Me Think: A Common Sense Approach to Web Usability, New Riders

HCI International