Module Specification

Interaction Design for User-Centred Systems

Module Specification

Interaction Design for User-Centred Systems: Crafting Intuitive, User-Optimised Digital Experiences



Effective digital experiences underpin the intersection of technology, psychology, and design. In this module, you will delve into the principles that transform digital systems into seamless extensions of their users' needs and behaviours. You will explore frameworks like human-centred design, delving into techniques such as persona creation and journey mapping to deeply understand user interactions.

Armed with insights, you will tackle the design process head-on. This module covers the spectrum from wireframing using industry-standard tools, to iterating prototypes with user feedback. You will study heuristic evaluations, usability testing, and advanced techniques like A/B testing and eye-tracking studies to measure design effectiveness and refine user experience. Concepts like information architecture and task flows will guide you in organising content for intuitive navigation.

By the end of this module, you will possess a robust skill set in user-centred design. You will be adept at creating emotionally resonant interfaces, visualising complex data effectively, and ensuring system reliability and error prevention. Collaborate within Agile frameworks, working closely with cross-functional teams to bring your designs to life.

Prepare to enhance user experiences with emerging trends in AI interactions, setting yourself apart as a proficient designer in today’s digital landscape.


Mode(s) of Study Code CATS Credits ECTS Credits Framework HECoS code
Full-time Blended Learning
Part-time Blended Learning
VS71 15 7 FHEQ - L7 human-computer interaction (100736)

Prerequisites and Co-requisites

None

Learning Outcomes

Code Attributes developed Outcomes
LO1 Knowledge and Understanding Evaluate and integrate diverse theoretical frameworks and tools from interaction design to improve user experience.
LO2 Intellectual Skills Conduct heuristic evaluations and usability tests to assess and improve the effectiveness of digital systems.
LO3 Intellectual Skills Develop innovative design solutions using advanced theoretical approaches to address complex UX challenges.
LO4 Technical/Practical Skills Apply human-centred design principles to create digital system specifications that address user needs effectively.
LO5 Professional/Transferable Skills Collaborate effectively within Agile frameworks, balancing UX goals with technical constraints.

Content Structure

Week Topic
Week 1 Introductory lecture
Introduces the module, outlining its relevance to the field and connections to other topics. It provides an overview of the content structure, key references, and assessment details.
Week 2 Human-Centred Design
Understand the importance of human-centred design (HCD), which places the user at the core of the design process. Learn why focusing on user needs and experiences leads to more effective and satisfying digital systems.
Week 3 Understanding Users
Explore methods like persona creation, journey mapping, empathy maps, and contextual inquiry to understand user behaviour, workflows, and challenges. Grasp the 'why' behind gathering deep user insights to inform design decisions.
Week 4 UX Design Techniques
Develop practical skills in UX design techniques aimed at creating intuitive and user-friendly systems. Learn why wireframing, prototyping, and iterative design are crucial for successful user experiences.
Week 5 Usability Evaluation
Discover heuristic evaluation and usability testing to assess the effectiveness of designs. Understand the importance of collecting and analysing user feedback to continuously enhance user experience.
Week 6 Information Architecture
Grasp the principles of information architecture to support logical content organization. Learn why clear navigation and content structure are essential for user satisfaction across digital platforms.
Week 7 Design Thinking
Apply design thinking to solve common UX challenges. Participate in ideation workshops and rapid prototyping to learn frameworks and techniques for prioritizing features and addressing user needs effectively.
Week 8 Advanced Design Principles
Delve into advanced design principles focusing on emotional design, affordance, and feedback loops. Understand why emotionally engaging interfaces enhance user happiness and interaction efficiency.
Week 9 Error Prevention & Recovery
Learn techniques for error mapping, graceful degradation, and fail-safe design. Understand why preventing errors and ensuring smooth recovery from failures are critical for reliable and user-centred systems.
Week 10 Agile Collaboration
Explore working within Agile frameworks to balance UX goals with technical constraints. Understand the importance of collaboration with developers and product managers to keep the user at the centre of the process.

References/Indicative Reading List

Importance ISBN Description
Core Textbook 9781780173498 de Voil, Nick. User Experience Foundations. BCS, The Chartered Institute for IT, 2020
Core Textbook 9781787122444 Schwartz, Ezra. Exploring Experience Design Paperback, Packt Publishing, 2017
Supplementary Reading 9780124081383 Romano Bergstrom, Jennifer and Schall, Andrew. Eye Tracking in User Experience Design. Morgan Kaufmann, 2014
Supplementary Reading 9781292155517 Benyon, David. Designing user experience. Pearson UK, 2019
Supplementary Reading 9781350021709 Allanwood, Gavin, and Peter Beare. User experience design: a practical introduction. Bloomsbury Publishing, 2019
Supplementary Reading 9780124199835 Parush, Avi. Conceptual design for interactive systems: designing for performance and user experience. Morgan Kaufmann, 2015
Supplementary Reading 9781447151333 Ritter, E. Frank, D. Gordon Baxter, and F. Elizabeth Churchill. Foundations for designing user-centered systems: What system designers need to know about people. Springer-Verlag London, 2014.
Supplementary Reading 9780134276717 Platt, David S. The joy of UX: user experience and interactive design for developers. Addison-Wesley Professional, 2016
Supplementary Reading 9781119829201 Kantamneni, Satyam. User Experience Design: A Practical Playbook to Fuel Business Growth. John Wiley & Sons, 2022

Student Workload

The methods of teaching and learning for this module are based on the School's Technical 15 teaching system, consisting of the following activities.

Activity Total hours
Introductory lecture

This is the first weekly session, dedicated to providing a comprehensive introduction to the module. The module leader will present an overview of the subject, elucidating its importance within various digital engineering professions and its interrelation with other modules. Students will need no preparation ahead of attending this session.

The module leader will provide a structured breakdown of the content to be covered in the subsequent 9 sessions. Students will also receive an outline of the essential reference materials, alongside suggestions for supplementary reading. The format and criteria for the summative assessment will be delineated, followed by a dedicated period for questions and answers.

A recording of the session will be available to facilitate async engagement for any other student who missed the class, also offering an opportunity to review the content again.

1.50
Concept learning (knowledge graph)

Our institution's approach to teaching is primarily based on flipped learning. Ahead of each weekly session (Workshop/Lab), students will be required to study the essential concepts that are used in the coming session so they are familiar with the theories and ideas related to that session. The study material will be in the form of written content, illustrations, pre-recorded lectures and tutorials, and other forms of content provided through the AGS.

This content is self-navigated by the students, accommodating different learning styles and schedules, allowing students to watch or listen to them at their own pace and review them as needed.

18.00
AI formative assessment

Once each concept of the theory is studied, students will be prompted to engage in formative assessment with instant AI feedback. They include multiple-choice questions, socratic questions and answers, written questions, role-play and other AI-assisted practice scenarios.

The purpose of this automated formative assessment is to provide students with immediate feedback on their understanding of module material and highlight any areas that need support or further study. They are also used to track student progress, boost motivation and promote accountability.

9.00
Case Study Review

In this learning activity, students explore recent real-world case studies relevant to their course topic. The case studies will have been selected and curated by the module leader to represent up-to-date examples. They guide students through key details, contextual factors, and outcomes. This approach enhances students' understanding of current industry trends, challenges, and solutions, preparing them for real-world scenarios they may encounter in their future careers.

The learning experienced will be augmented by AI (virtual private tutor) allowing the students to critically engage with the content and discuss the case studies.

9.00
Workshop/Lab Sessions

Those studying in the blended learning mode will attend these 9 weekly classes (in person or remotely) during weeks 2 to 10. These sessions will complement the theory already studied during the preceding week (in our flipped-learning model), with discussions, analysis, practice or experience . They will be interactive and participatory, rather than one-way lectures. There will also be an opportunity for Q&A in every session. Depending on the nature of the content, challenges and learning activities will be pre-designed to apply flipped learning. They may include hands-on project work, group discussions or debates, roleplay, simulation, case studies, presentations, and other learning activities and opportunities. These workshops present an opportunity to apply critical thinking and problem-solving skills. They also encourage collaboration and foster a sense of community among students.

13.50
Individual or group assignments

Each Workshop/Lab session will be followed by an assignment. Assignments are used to reinforce learning and encourage independent thinking and problem-solving. They help the students identify the gaps in their understanding of the subject and provide them with an opportunity to apply what they have learned in a practical setting.

Assignments can be individual or group-based (teams of 2 to 4). They can take many forms, including essays, presentations, or projects. When they are group-based, teams will be randomly picked by AGS, in order to promote broader teamwork practice. Assignment files will be uploaded to AGS by the students ahead of the next weekly session. Feedback will be provided on each submitted assignment.

18.00
Independent reading, exploration and practice

This activity challenges students to engage with the reference material and independently explore and analyse academic literature related to the course topic. Students are expected to select relevant sources, practice critical reading skills, and where applicable technical skills, and synthesise information from multiple references. This is an opportunity to enhance research abilities, critical thinking, and self-directed learning skills while broadening and deepening subject knowledge.

51.00
Summative assessment

Summative assessments are used to evaluate student learning at the end of a module. These assessments can take many forms, including exams, papers, or presentations. Instructors can use summative assessments to measure whether students have achieved the learning outcomes for the module and provide them with a sense of their overall progress. Summative assessments can also be used to evaluate the effectiveness of the teaching methods used in the module.

30.00
150.00

Assessment Patterns

Weighting Format Outcomes assessed
40% Invigilated Exam
This is a time-limited and closed-book exam with a mix of multiple-choice and analytical written questions that students undertake during the summative assessment period as scheduled under the School’s remote invigilation conditions to ensure quality and academic integrity.

The exam enables the students to demonstrate their successful attainment of the module learning outcomes, primarily related to knowledge and understanding, and secondarily related to Professional/Transferable Skills.

The analytical written questions will consist of problem questions representing issues and dilemmas students are likely to encounter in professional life and students have to synthesise and apply what they have learnt on the module in order to produce sound and reasoned judgements with respect to the problem.

To enable the students to practice and prepare, various formative assessment activies, including quizzes and a AI-augmented assignments and mock exams are built into the module. Additionally, throughout the course, students will regularly receive feedback on their knowledge and assignments from AI as well as peers and staff to indicate how to improve future work and how to give constructive feedback to others.
K LO1
I LO2
I LO3
P LO5
60% Technical Analysis and Solution Assessment
This assessment requires students to develop a solution to a complex problem within a simulated domain, followed by a detailed analysis and reflection on their design and its theoretical underpinnings. The aim is to assess students' abilities to design practical solutions, critically analyse their work, and articulate their understanding of the technical and theoretical aspects of the module.
K LO1
I LO2
I LO3
T LO4
P LO5

Programmes this module appears on

Please note that the information detailed within this record is accurate at the time of publishing and may be subject to change.
Module Spec: Interaction Design for User-Centred Systems: Crafting Intuitive, User-Optimised Digital Experiences (VS71)