Unit 2: User Cognition and Common Usability Problems, 1/9 – 1/15

During this unit, you’ll learn about the cognitive process that guides human interaction with interfaces. Your understanding of user cognition will be supplemented by an introduction to the various types of models users construct to help them understand how a system functions.

Topics:

1. User Cognition
2. Models
3. The Seven Stages of Action
4. The Seven Questions of Action
5. Common Usability Problems
   • Lack of User Control
   • Poor Information Architecture
   • Lack of Feedback
   • Poor Mapping

Tasks/Assignments Due:

• Reading: About Face, Chapter 3: The Three Models
• Reading: Design of Everyday Things, pages 45 – 53
• Reading: Design of Everyday Things, pages 75 – 104
• Discussion Topic: What Users Know

Unit 3: Concepting and the Design Cycle, 1/16 – 1/22

This unit provides your first opportunity to begin concepting for a small-scale, human-centered design project. You’ll only be creating concept sketches at this point, so you’ll be free to focus on innovative ways of resolving usability issues without worrying about software skills or technical details.

Topics:

1. The Human-Centered Design Cycle
2. Analyzing User Goals
3. Sketching
4. Usability and Aesthetics
5. Rapid Concepting

Tasks/Assignments Due:

• Reading: The Humane Interface, Chapter 2, section 3: The Locus of Attention
• Submission and Critique: Project 1: Mobile Device Application Sketches

Unit 4: Beginning the Cycle, 1/23 – 1/29

During this unit, you’ll begin planning for your final project. You’ll want to be sure that your concept is a suitable exercise in human-centered design and not just an exercise in artistic expression. Therefore, it’s critical that you understand what makes a project goal a user-centered one. You’ll begin this unit by learning how to recognize design goals that do not give the user’s needs top priority so that you can avoid taking on a project that is not truly user-centered.

Topics:

1. Asking the Right Questions
2. Establishing Target Audience
3. Personas

Tasks/Assignments Due:

• Discussion: Final Project Introductory Info
• Submission: Final Project Stage 1: Define Your Project and Create a Design Plan

Unit 5: Beginning Design Development, 1/30 – 2/5

During this unit, you’ll begin the development stage for your final project—but don’t fire up your favorite design software just yet. This unit will focus on low-tech prototyping solutions to help you organize your content and identify potential usability problems before you begin creating a digital version of your interface.

Topics:

1. Paper Prototyping
2. Software and Formats

Tasks/Assignments Due:

• Critique: Concept Sketch Feedback
• Submission: Final Project Stage 2: Paper Prototypes

Unit 6: Digital Design Development, 2/6 – 2/12

During this unit, you will begin creating your design in digital form. Don’t forget that you will have the opportunity to revise your designs after you conduct usability testing. Your design should still have room for usability improvement at this stage.

Topics:

1. Wireframes
2. Design Tips and Tutorials

Tasks/Assignments Due:

• Submission and Critique: Final Project Stage 3: Wireframe Development

Unit 7: Usability Testing, 2/13 – 2/19

This unit will focus on the usability-testing process, from basic principles of scientific experimentation to selecting test users and gathering useful data through questionnaires and other survey strategies.

Topics:

1. Reliability and Validity
2. Selecting Test Users
3. Creating Evaluation Documents
4. Observing Users

Tasks/Assignments Due:

• Discussion: Finding Test Users
• Discussion: Testing Strategies
• Submission: Final Project Stage 4: Creating Evaluation Documents

Unit 8: Collecting and Analyzing Usability Test Data , 2/20 – 2/26

During this unit, you will begin collecting and analyzing your usability testing data. With well-prepared usability test documents and thoughtfully selected test users, you should be able to count on insightful feedback on your design project.

Topic:

1. Usability Case Studies

Tasks/Assignments Due:

• Discussion: Revisions Inspired by Usability Testing
• Submission and Critique: Final Project Stage 5: Testing Results

Unit 9: Making Revisions, 2/27 – 3/5

During this unit, you will work on revisions to your final project based on the findings of your usability testing. You will prioritize the value of any revisions needed and establish realistic goals for the revised version, which must be delivered during Unit 10.

Topic:

1. Revision Decisions

Tasks/Assignments Due:

• Submission and Critique: Final Project Stage 6: Revisions

Unit 10: Further Considerations, 3/6 – 3/12

During this unit, you’ll become familiar with design considerations that can make content more accessible for users with disabilities. You’ll learn why many companies and organizations are desperately searching for interactive designers who understand disability-compliance issues.

Topic:

1. Accessibility

Tasks/Assignments Due:

• Discussion: Accessibility and You
• Discussion: Course Feedback
• Submission: Final Project Stage 7: Final Submission

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