syllabus
Spring 23
3A
Note: We meet during many X Hours
“UI is the saddle, the stirrups, and the reins. UX is the feeling you get being able to ride the horse.”
Instructor: Lorie Loeb
Email: lorie.loeb@dartmouth.edu
Office Hours: Mondays and Tuesdays (in person) and Thursdays online through calendly
X-hours: We meet most X-Hours and attendance is expected
Course Description
Every digital interface/interaction (e.g. web and mobile application, car dashboard, smart appliance) was designed to solve a problem or to make our lives better, easier, more successful. Every time you use your phone, the buttons you push, the gestures to swipe up, down, left right, the font choices, the color scheme—all these were designed by a UI/UX designer. In other words, UI/UX is the communication layer between the computer software and the user. This hands-on, projects based course, explores the principles and practice of user interface and user experience design for digital platforms.
Students in CS25 use the human centered design process to understand users and design digital tools that are intuitive to use and create a bit of delight along the way. We use tools in this class like figma, mural, notion, and slack to design in teams. Weekly assignments reinforce learning along the way and a final project pulls it all together.
CS25.01 offers hands-on, projects-based learning, that teaches the history, principles, tools, and practice of User Interface (UI) and User Experience (UX) Design.
Students who take CS25.01 are eligible to apply to take CS25.02 which is an Independent Study in the DALI Lab or in some other setting. Most students will not take this second section.
CS25.01 is for students with an interest in human centered design, product design, UI/UX design, interaction design, graphic design, or any other related field. No previous experience needed. This course teaches the principles and practice of UI/UX design through weekly exercises and homework (team and individual), student blogs, class discussions, a field trip to design firms, presentations, and projects. CS25.01 will be structured as other projects-based courses, with weekly assignments that build on each other and are intended to teach the foundational skills and thinking of UI/UX design.
Accessibility
Accessibility and inclusion are important aspects of the class content and culture. Students requesting disability-related accommodations and services for this course are encouraged to schedule a phone/video meeting with me as early in the term as possible. This conversation will help to establish what supports are built into my online course. In order for accommodations to be authorized, students are required to consult with Student Accessibility Services (SAS; student.accessibility.services@dartmouth.edu; SAS website; 603-646-9900) and to email me their SAS accommodation form. We will then work together with SAS if accommodations need to be modified based on the online learning environment. If students have questions about whether they are eligible for accommodations, they should contact the SAS office. All inquiries and discussions will remain confidential.
Health addendum
We have structured the course so that these disruptions will not necessarily prevent you from successfully completing this course. I will post recorded lectures from earlier terms, along with tutorials available on figma. If you cannot meet with Professor Loeb during her office hours (in person or online) please reach out and she will schedule a time that will work for you. TA’s have TA Hours available throughout the week.
In the event that you are directly or indirectly impacted by COVID-19 in such a way that will affect your performance in the course, it is imperative that you reach out to Professor Loeb as soon as possible. You may also reach out to your undergraduate Dean if that would make you more comfortable. We cannot assist you if we don’t know there is a problem. Our first priority is your health and security. We will work to put you in touch with appropriate resources to assist you.
AI, borrowing from others, and citing sources
Original work is expected for all your assignments. Full stop
That said, we expect you to look widely at other applications and interfaces in order to learn from what others have done. Templates and examples of every type of digital screen are widely available and artificial intelligence is changing the landscape of design.
You are expected to look widely and then start from scratch! Don’t directly copy. Don’t use ai applications unless we do it together in class. Do cite resources you use and be clear about your influences.
How to Succeed in this Course
Do the work. Start early. Put in the time. Revise and rework. Ask questions and seek help. Show up for your team.
Evaluation of student success will be based on assignments that include observation, brainstorming, sketching and prototyping digital low and hi res mock-ups, completing user research and testing, and continual iteration and creative thinking. There are a mix of short, skill-building exercises and longer homework assignments that are usually completed in teams. A final project (in teams of two) puts into practice all you learned in class. In addition, students are expected to participate in discussions and reflections, generate regular entries to their notebooks, and do a final presentation of their work. Students will work alone and in teams.
Learning Objectives
Understand the definition and principles of UI/UX Design in order to design with intention.
Achieve a deep understanding of the entire life-cycle of design—the process, purpose, and tools.
Learn the basics of HCI (human-computer interaction) and the psychology behind user decision-making.
Discover the industry-standard tools and specific project deliverables in UI/UX.
Explain why you made design decisions, through presentations of assignments and your personal portfolio.
Grading
Weekly Exercises - 20%
Weekly Homework - 30%
Weekly Notebook - 20%
Attendance, Teamwork, and Participation - 15%
Final Project and Presentation - 15%
~ Any absences impact the Attendance grade. Lateness impacts the Participation grade. Poor teamwork impacts the Teamwork grade.
~ Key to Life: Show up. Show up on time. Show up on time and ready to work.
Exercises and Homework Grading
Exercises are assigned on Mondays and due on Wednesdays. Exercises are worth 3 points. Work more than three days late receive a 0.
Homework is assigned on Wednesdays and due on the following Monday. Homeworks are worth 3 points. Work more than three days late receive a 0.
Notebook entries are due every Monday. Students are expected to have one reflection in their notebook per week plus one response to assigned reading. Keeping a notebook is a way to observe design principles in practice and allows you to use the vocabulary you are developing. Each week’s notebook is worth 3 points. Work more than three days late receive a 0.
The Final Project is where it all comes together. Teams of two are given a design brief and then follow the UX and UI process to design a digital solution. Work is shown in two ways: (1) at a poster session during Technigala, and (2) a design case study report.
10 points for the quality of thought and process
10 points for the quality of the poster and presentation at the poster session
10 points for the quality of the case study report
Dartmouth Policies
Student Accessibility and Accommodations
Students with disabilities who may need disability-related academic adjustments and services for this course are encouraged to see me privately as early in the term as possible. Students requiring disability-related academic adjustments and services must consult the Student Accessibility Services office in Carson Hall 125 or by phone: 646-9900 or email: Student.Accessibility.Services@Dartmouth.edu.
Once SAS has authorized services, students must show the originally signed SAS Services and Consent Form and/or a letter on SAS letterhead to me. As a first step, if you have questions about whether you qualify to receive academic adjustments and services, you should contact the SAS office. All inquiries and discussions will remain confidential.
Religious Observances
Some students may wish to take part in religious observances that occur during this academic term. If you have a religious observance that conflicts with your participation in the course, please meet with me before the end of the second week of the term to discuss appropriate accommodations.
Honor Principle
The faculty, administration, and students of Dartmouth College recognize the Academic Honor Principle as fundamental to the education process. Any instance of academic dishonesty is considered a violation of the Academic Honor Principle. Please see the full set of policies in the Student Affairs Guidelines.
Approximate Course Schedule (We use Notion as for assignments and scheduling)
Unless otherwise noted:
Exercises are due on Thursdays
Notebook, and Readings are due on Mondays
Homeworks are due on Tuesdays
Week 1: UI/UX Overview
Intro to UI/UX
EX1: Good/Bad UX
X-hour: Notion & Figma Setup
Design Thinking
HW1: Team Design Sprint
Reading: Empathy Fieldguide
Week 2: User Research
How to identify stakeholders
EX2: Defining Stakeholders
X-hour: Figma Basics
How to identify user needs
User Research
Reading: Interaction Design
Week 3: User Journeys
Mapping the user journey
EX3: User Journey Maps + HMW
X-hour: Figma Grayscales
Finding solutions & constraint cards
HW3: Sketch + Revise
Reading: Don’t Make Me Think
Week 4: Grayscales & User Testing
UX Principles
EX4: Blocking Grayscales + User Flow
X-hour: Figma Prototype
Understanding user testing
HW4: Grayscales + Usability Testing
Reading: Design of Everyday Things
Week 5: UI Principles
UI Principles
EX5: UI Analysis
X-hour: Figma UI Part 1
Color and Font
HW5: UI Design in 3 Sprints
Reading: Refactoring UI
Week 6: Topics in UI
Non-Traditional UI
EX6: Find UI in other Technologies
X-hour: Figma UI Part 2
UI Special Topics
HW6: Create UI for other Technologies
Reading: Creating UI Design
Week 7: Style Guide
UI Components
EX7: Style Guide Analysis
X-hour: Figma Advanced
Responsive Design
HW7: Style Guide for Responsive UI
Reading: Visual Display of Information
Week 8: Special Topics & Final Project
Intro to Final Project
Start of final project
X-hour: Portfolio Workshop
Design for Inclusion
Continue final project
Week 9: Special Topics & Final Project
Special Topic / Check-ins
Continue final project
X-hour: Special Topic
Special Topic / Check-ins
Continue final project
Week 10: Reflect & Present
Reflection
Presentations