54062 Digital Experience Design

Warning: The information on this page is indicative. The subject outline for a particular session, location and mode of offering is the authoritative source of all information about the subject for that offering. Required texts, recommended texts and references in particular are likely to change. Students will be provided with a subject outline once they enrol in the subject.

Subject handbook information prior to 2018 is available in the Archives.

UTS: Communication: IKM and Digital Studies
Credit points: 8 cp
Result type: Grade and marks

Requisite(s): 8 credit points of completed study in spk(s): MAJ10050 Digital and Social Media Major OR 8 credit points of completed study in spk(s): MAJ10038 Digital and Social Media OR 8 credit points of completed study in spk(s): MAJ10023 Information and Media major BAComm
Anti-requisite(s): 58125 User Experience Design

Description

This subject introduces students to the fundamentals of user experience and experience design across diverse digital platforms including online, mobile, transmedia and pervasive media environments. It explores a range of contemporary approaches to designing experiences and interventions within an increasingly complex media landscape, and the ways in which software, device and platform affordances can intersect to effectively facilitate and structure our experiences and interactions within these environments. Through case study, strategic development and project-based learning, students apply their knowledge and skills to design and develop a detailed user experience strategic plan and set of resources for an existing project, event or environment.

Subject learning objectives (SLOs)

a.	understand fundamental theories concerning digital experience design
b.	analyse a range of existing media environments in relation to digital experience design
c.	present a detailed user experience analysis to others
d.	synthesise knowledge through development of a user experience focussed strategic plan
e.	collaborate effectively with peers

Course intended learning outcomes (CILOs)

This subject engages with the following Course Intended Learning Outcomes (CILOs), which are tailored to the Graduate Attributes set for all graduates of the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences:

Possess a well-developed awareness of professional practice in the context of the communication industries (1.1)
Apply theoretically-informed understanding of the communication industries in independent and collaborative projects across a range of media (1.2)
Possess information literacy skills to locate, gather, organise and synthesise information across diverse platforms to inform the understanding of the communication industries (2.1)
Possess the skills to behave ethically in personal and professional contexts (5.2)
Possess well-developed skills and proficiencies to communicate and respond effectively and appropriately across different contexts (6.1)
Demonstrate digital literacy and production skills across a range of media and media texts (6.2)

Teaching and learning strategies

Classes will run as weekly 2 hour seminars incorporating a range of teaching and learning strategies, including case study analysis, short presentations, experiential activities, in-class discussion, and project-based learning. These will be complemented by flipped activities, including preparatory work prior to classes using UTS Online and other resources for relevant readings, websites and videos, and an off-campus activity analysing user experience in a real world environment. Initial classes will focus on key issues concerning effective digital experience design, and ways to effectively analyse user experience across diverse environments. Students will then work in small teams to complete a case-study analysis of an existing product, event, service or environment. Later the emphasis shifts to active, project-based learning where students synthesise their knowledge through designing and developing a digital experience strategic plan and accompanying set of resources.

Students will receive both formative and summative feedback within the subject. They will gain formative feedback, normally verbal, at several points in the semester, firstly in response to structured in-class activities and later in-class during the development phase of their user experience strategy and support materials. They will receive summative feedback in response to their submitted assessment items. Summative feedback focuses on assessment outcomes, and is used to indicate how successfully a student has performed in terms of specific assessment criteria. Summative feedback provides further information on the grade issued, reflecting on the quality of the work submitted and the student’s performance leading up to submission. Summative feedback may also provide information on specific aspects of their submitted assessments, such as strategies for improvement, advancement of strengths, or comments on notable aspects of the submitted work. It will be provided in written form for all assessed work, and will be published along with grades.

Content (topics)

Students will be introduced to a range of theoretical approaches and practical applications of digital experience design; such as user-centred and user experience design, user needs analysis, personas, data driven and algorithmic approaches, challenges of experience design across multiplatform and transmedia projects, pervasive design, and experience design for mixed environments. They will learn how to analyse and represent user journeys, examine the increasing application of user experience design approaches in a range of professional settings, and apply principles of experience design to develop a user experience strategy.

Assessment

Assessment task 1: Experience Design Analysis (group & individual)

Objective(s):

a, b, c and e

Groupwork:

Group, individually assessed

Weight:

40%

Length:

Group: 10-12 min in-class presentation, & summary group presentation slides (max 1000 words).

Individual: Approx 2 mins (of group presentation) & 1200 words of supporting research

Criteria linkages:

Criteria	Weight (%)	SLOs	CILOs
Clarity of group presentation and analysis	20	a, c	6.1
Depth of analysis evident in presentation	20	b	2.1
Quality of support materials	20	c	1.1
Demonstrated ability to contribute effectively in a team presentation	10	e	5.2
Depth of individual research and analysis report	30	b	1.1

SLOs: subject learning objectives
CILOs: course intended learning outcomes

Assessment task 2: Experience Design Strategy and Resources (Part A and Part B)

Objective(s):

a, b and d

Groupwork:

Individual

Weight:

60%

Length:

Part A: 750 words of initial strategic research including demonstrated original user research.

Part B: 2500 word written submission + appropriate visual support materials. Note: Material from Part A will likely be reproduced in Part B as part of the final experience design strategy.

Due: Part A: Monday May 28 by 11.59am

Part B: Monday June 18 by 11.59am