This unit entry is for students who completed this unit in 2016 only. For students planning to study the unit, please refer to the unit indexes in the the current edition of the Handbook. If you have any queries contact the managing faculty for your course or area of study.

MDC5202 - Interaction design research project

24 points, SCA Band 1, 0.500 EFTSL

Postgraduate - Unit

Refer to the specific census and withdrawal dates for the semester(s) in which this unit is offered.

Faculty

Art, Design and Architecture

Organisational Unit

Department of Design

Coordinator(s)

Dr Stephen Jia Wang

Offered

Caulfield

First semester 2016 (Day)

Synopsis

The research project studio unit in the Master of Interaction Design aims to consolidate learning from previous studio units and integrate the technical, cognitive and creative skills required to design for industry. By providing opportunities for students to participate in leading industrial projects, designing interactive artefacts, systems or services, students will be exposed to specifically situated problems and evaluate innovative solutions that weave together technology, place and product with specific intents in specific contexts.

The unit encourages experimentation and skill development with tangible materials and interactive technology via data gathering, analysis, evaluation and design. Students will produce publication quality designs which examine the extension of physical artefacts and tangible interface as elements of connectivity that help users to mediate between the information world and everyday life.

The project supports students in a broad range of interests, including the application of advanced technologies, electronics and programming, physical or virtual interface manipulation, and material and engineering fabrication.

Outcomes

Research and integrate comprehensive Tangible Interaction Design concepts, theories and design approaches to design interactive artefacts, systems or services.
Utilise contextual diagrams and interfaces as core components in a design outcome with consideration of the situated context.
Apply research, communication and advanced technical skills to plan and manage comprehensive interaction design solutions from initial concept to final resolution.
Communicate ideas and concepts to critically reflect and justify own design through a process of observation, analysis, selection, interpretation and expression.
Evaluate design outcomes to demonstrate comprehensive understanding of interaction design conventions and integration of technological capacities/abilities appropriate for specific contexts.
Understand and apply the rules of occupational health and safety appropriate to the discipline practice.

Assessment

Portfolio of progressive assessment (various phases) on the main project
with mid-semester review by Week 6

Workload requirements

16 contact hours plus 32 hours of private study hours per week

Chief examiner(s)

Dr Stephen Jia Wang

Prerequisites

MDC5201 or MDC5215, and MDS5031, or with permission from the Course Coordinator