Course Syllabus
UI/UX Design mART 371
CRN: 96859
Digital Art & Animation
Cañada College Fall 2023 Semester
Instructor: Emanuela Quaglia
Class Dates and Times: Mon 6:30PM
Classroom Number: 22-132
Office Hours: Monday, 5:30PM or by appointment
Email: quagliae@smccd.edu
Phone: 650-704-8047
Class Website: https://canadacollege.edu/canvas/
Class objectives
In this class, we’ll discuss user-centered design fundamentals and how they apply to the web, mobile devices, apps, games, and other surfaces. You’ll learn how good usability helps people successfully accomplish tasks, and how to apply best practices during the design process. As we progress, you’ll draft, pitch, test, build, and present your own content during projects.
You’ll also:
● Evaluate interfaces that already exist online using design knowledge, usability best practices, and testing to determine what’s working well and what could be improved
● Create UX design proposals, like pitch documents, wireframes, and statement of work
● Redesign an existing interface to improve usability
● Demonstrate knowledge of mobile and web UX design, as well as their respective design challenges
● Create your own user interfaces for web, mobile, games, or other platforms
We’ll discuss user experience concepts, principles, and best practices, as well as how to:
● Compare designs by platform (web, mobile, games, others)
● Identify opportunities for improving existing experiences
● Pitch executing on those opportunities and measuring their success
● Design interface components, such as graphics, text, and background
● Create mocks to test potential layouts
● Assess whether a designed experience is effective, including:
○ Research and testing methods, like focus groups, surveys, and usability testing ○ Analytics
Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion of this course, you will be able to:
1. Evaluate the usability of user interfaces, including web pages and mobile application interfaces, and be able to articulate successful implementation and suggest areas for improvement.
2. Redesign poorly structured interfaces, improving their usability/accessibility as demonstrated by usability testing.
3. Create an effective user interface for web or mobile device usage. Demonstrate effectiveness of design via usability testing.
Logistics
1. Your work must be your own original content.
2. You must save and backup your work! This means having 2 copies - 1 on a USB drive, 1 on another device that is NOT a school computer (a 2nd USB drive, hard drive, etc.).
3. Pay attention during lecture. I strongly advise taking notes.
4. You’re expected to present your work to the class.
5. You’re required to present in the final.
6. Use your “smccd.edu” email for class, since class communications will be sent there.
You can forward email to another account (Gmail, Outlook, Yahoo, whatever).
7. 2 hours/week (TBA hours) are required outside class.* (During COVID the way we do this is adjusted)
Bring to every + class:
1. A 4 GB USB drive with space on it so you can save your work
2. Your G-number
3. The assignment due that day, finished
4. A notebook & something to write with to take notes
Required materials:
Textbook
Don’t Make Me Think! Revisited
Steven Krug
ISBN 9780321965516
USB drive - 4GB or more storage capacity
Grading
You’ll be graded on assignments, quizzes, participation, and projects. Each part has a set value. These values are added together at the end of the semester to create a percentage grade.
A = 93-100, A- = 90-92, B+ = 87-89, B = 83-86, B- = 80-82, C+ = 77-79, C = 70-76, D+ = 67-69, D = 60-66, F= below 60
Note: If you don’t turn in or don’t show up for the final project/exam, you cannot pass the class.
Projects (TBA) = 40%, Assignments, exercises and homework = 20%, Final project/exam = 25%, Class participation = 15%
Quizzes:
Occasionally, there may be a pop quiz at the beginning of class covering material from the previous class. You won’t get extra time to make up quizzes if you’re late to class, so get there on time.
Attendance:
If you miss too many classes, it will reflect on your grade. You can’t make up participation and in-class assignments if you’re absent. Contact the instructors or a classmate to catch up. Remember, attending the final is required.
Deadlines & make-up policy:
Each assignment has a specific deadline, down to the time of day, in WebAccess. Late assignments lose a letter grade. Start your work early enough that, if something goes wrong (your computer breaks, your internet goes down), you still have to time to find a solution before the deadline.
Extra credit:
Extra credit will never be enough to replace a project or assignment that wasn’t turned in, or turned in late. Extra credit opportunities aren’t guaranteed, but if they are offered, they’re graded just like any other assignment (but they won’t lower your grade).
Projects to be completed in lab/TBA hours:
Week 1
3 nailed it & 3 failed it sites assignment (2 hours)
Week 2
Pathways assignment (2 hours)
Week 3 - 4
UX design principles assignment (4 hours)
Week 5
Draft a redesign proposal document (2 hours)
Week 6
Implement your redesign (2 hours)
Week 7
Introduction to usability testing assignment (2 hours)
Week 8
Usability assessment assignment (2 hours)
Week 9
How to run a focus group assignment (2 hours)
Week 10
Original wireframe design (2 hours)
Week 11 - 12
Original interface design (4 hours)
Week 13 - 15
Assessment project (6 hours)
Week 16
Final project (2 hours)
Other policies and procedures
Use of student work:
Sometimes, student work is used by the college for educational or promotional purposes, including in galleries, shows, or other forums. Always include your name in your file, so you’ll get attribution for your work (otherwise it’ll be attributed to “Anonymous”). Participation isn’t required, and you can opt out by submitting a request in writing before the end of the semester.
Equal Opportunity Program (EOPS):
If you’re receiving EOP financial aid and need a progress report, email your instructor.
Students with disabilities:
If you have a learning disability, or physical challenges, you’re entitled to any assistance you need to achieve your academic goals. The college can provide access to an on-campus lab with talking computers, print enlargers, tactile maps of the campus, and other alternative learning options. Talk to your instructor so we can be flexible for your needs, and call the Disabled Student Services Office at (650) 306-3259 or the TDD line (650) 306-3161. You’ll need to identify yourself as a learning disabled or physically challenged student at the beginning of the semester so we can help accommodate you.
Academic honor code:
You’re expected to know and adhere to the college Academic Honor Code. If you violate this code, you’ll be subject to the consequences set forth by the code. For example, don’t submit work that isn’t yours or use copyrighted work without permission. If you’re not sure, ask.
Disruptive behavior:
All students are expected to know and adhere to the college Student Conduct, Discipline & Due Process Code. If you violate this policy, you’ll be immediately excused from class until meeting with the Dean of Students, who’ll explain the college student code of conduct.
Important dates
August 15, 16 - Flex Day (No Classes)
August 17 - Day and Evening Classes Begin
August 30 - Last Day to Drop Semester Length Classes with Eligibility for Partial Refund
August 30 - Last Day to Add Semester Length Classes
September 3, 4 - Declared Recess
September 5 -Last Day to Drop Semester Length Classes Without Appearing on Record
September 5 - Labor Day (Holiday)
September 6 - Census Day
October 7 - Last Day to Apply for Degree – Certificate
October 12 - Flex Day (No Classes)
November 11 - Veterans’ Day (Holiday)
November 15 - Last Day to Withdraw from Semester Length Classes
November 24 - Thanksgiving Day (Holiday)
November 26 - 27 - Declared Recess
December 11 - 17 - Final Examinations (Day and Evening Classes)
December 17 - Day and Evening Classes End
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