Monash University

Leader: Michael Morgan

Offered

Berwick Second semester 2008 (Day)

Synopsis

This unit will provide a detailed understanding of the principles and practices involved in the creation and implementation of user-centred interaction with multimedia products and systems in a range of environments. Focus will be on the development of multimedia that enhances the efficiency, safety, functionality, usability and the aesthetic appeal of the user experience with multimedia at the interface between the user and the technology. Topics include: cognitive psychology, health and safety issues relating to interaction, interface design and implementation, evaluation and testing, affective aspects of technology, social implications of Human-Multimedia (Computer) interaction.

Objectives

At the completion of this unit, students will:

1. have a theoretical and conceptual understanding of the concepts of cognitive science and the physiology of human perception and the importance of these disciplines to interface design for multimedia systems and products;
2. understand the importance of psychological characteristics and capabilities of the user in the design and implementation of multimedia interfaces and the principles of user-centred interface design and the ways in which they might be implemented.

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

1. appreciate importance of the role of the interface designer/developer as the mediator between the multimedia product and the user;
2. appreciate the importance of ergonomic, health and safety issues in the development of user-centric multimedia interfaces.

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

1. integrate existing technological skills acquired from FIT1012 and FIT2012 to construct multimedia products and systems using principles of user-centred interface design;
2. design, create and implement interfaces appropriate to both content and context;
3. identify and evaluate the cognitive, physical and social contexts in which the user will interact with a multimedia product or system;
4. evaluate existing interfaces in relation to user-centric principles.

At the completion of this unit students will have developed the teamwork skills needed to:

1. design with an understanding of the effects of their own cultural/social background and preconceptions;
2. evaluate their own and others' interface design and implementation in relation to user-centric principles;
3. enable them to design, create and implement interface systems appropriate for use by individuals from diverse educational, social and cultural backgrounds and diverse cognitive styles.

Assessment

Practical Assignments: 75%
Examination: 25%

Contact hours

4 contact hrs/week (comprising 2 hrs lecture, 2 hrs tutorial) plus 8 hrs/week of self-directed study, project/assignment work.

Prerequisites

FIT2012, Reasonable skill in digital media manipulation software (eg Photoshop or Illustrator) and digital media authoring software (eg Director or Flash).

Prohibitions

MMS9008, MMS2403