Monash University

Leader: Julie Fisher

Offered

Caulfield First semester 2008 (Evening)

Synopsis

The aim of this unit is to provide an understanding of human-computer interface design and development. Students will gain an appreciation of the history of user interfaces and graphical user interface systems (GUIs) and the future directions in user interfaces. The unit will enable students to gain theoretical and practical understanding of human computer interaction (HCI) principles and guidelines, GUI design and evaluation, event-drive programming and standard interaction metaphors, using Visual Basic.NET.

Objectives

At the completion of this unit a student should be able to:

1. Understand basic human-computer interaction principles;
2. Understand the need for user-centred design;
3. Know and be able to apply good interface design;
4. Be able to evaluate user interfaces using established criteria;
5. Have experience designing and building an interface according to established design guidelines, using a contemporary programming language.

At the completion of this unit students will have a theoretical and conceptual understanding of:

1. The history of human-computer interfaces;

Foundational theories and models which inform interface design;
2. The application of design principles and guidelines to the design and evaluation of interfaces;
3. The importance of usability and accessibility in the design of interfaces;
4. The elements of graphical user interfaces;
5. The various interaction devices used in graphical user interfaces;
6. The main interaction styles used in interfaces.

At the completion of this unit students will have developed attitudes that enable them to:

1. Appreciate the importance of good design;
2. Understand the need for user-centred design.

At the completion of this unit students will have the practical skills to:

1. Apply principles and guidelines of interface design in the evaluation of interfaces;
2. Design and build an interface according to established design principles and guidelines;
3. Develop an interface using a programming tool.

At the completion of this unit students will demonstrate the communication skills necessary to:

1. Produce formal documentation of an evaluation of an interface;
2. Produce documentation of an interface design and the program code of the implementation of the design.

Assessment

Exam: 50%; one project: 50%

Contact hours

Lectures: 2hrs/week, tutorial: 2hrs/week

Prohibitions

FIT5930, GCO5930, MMS5008