User Experience Design (UX Design)

This introductory course exposes students to user-centered design principles through group activities, discussions and applied assignments. Students learn an overview of the user experience (UX) design process—research, prototyping, and testing using UX tools and documentation—that will be expanded upon in later courses. Various UX roles are discussed, and the relationship between UX design and other disciplines is examined.

This course explores the imperative of designing products and services which meet the needs of diverse populations. Students learn the principles of universal design and usability through the completion of heuristic evaluations, usability testing, and related reports and documentation.

This course introduces students to research methods and strategies for user experience (UX) design projects. Students assess quantitative research and qualitative research, formative and summative research, and primary and secondary research approaches in the context of UX design. A variety of research methods are employed including competitive analysis, ethnographic research, market research, and user testing. Students apply their knowledge of these methods to define and solve a user experience design problem.

Information architecture is the practice of arranging information in order to make it understandable; this course introduces students to the core principles of information architecture. Students identify how disciplines like information design and cognitive psychology impact the practice of information architecture. Students identify the relationship of information architecture to user experience design and explain how information architecture can assist in improving user experiences. Students complete sitemaps, wireframes, personas, content models, user flows, task analyses, and card sorts for web, mobile, print material, and physical environments.

Students in this course learn various tools and techniques for developing UX prototypes. Students learn about methods for ideation of concepts, industry standard software for developing prototypes, and techniques for visualizing complex data.

In this second information architecture course students evaluate a user experience design problem and select appropriate information architecture strategies to improve user experience. Students research business objectives and user needs to develop information architecture solutions that balance both business and user needs. Students complete information architectures for web, mobile, print material, and physical environments.

Prerequisite(s): DESI800 + DESI804

In this course, students use knowledge of research methods and strategies to independently design and execute a research study for a user experience design project of their choice. Students conduct exploratory research to define a UX design problem and select appropriate research strategies to develop a solution and summarize their findings and recommendations in a research report.

Prerequisite(s): DESI800 + DESI802

In this course, students work in teams to complete a capstone project which solves a user experience design problem for a client. Using skills in client facilitation, presentation, and project management, student teams apply their knowledge of user research and documentation to explore and define a product, interaction, or service design problem. Through prototyping and user testing, teams generate an accessible, functional solution that delivers a positive user experience.

Prerequisite(s): DESI800 + DESI1000 + DESI802 + DESI804 + DESI806 + DESI1001

This culminating course completes the students’ integration of the business and practice of user experience design. The focus is on the preparation of a case study of the team project and the development of an industry-relevant, professional presentation which explains and expands on the audience’s understanding of the value of user experience design.

Prerequisite(s): DESI800 + DESI1000 + DESI802 + DESI804 + DESI806 + DESI1001