Learning Objectives

  • Match each of the following terms with its definition:
    • user experience (UX)
    • user interface (UI)
    • graphical user interface (GUI)
    • interaction design (IxD)
    • human-computer interaction (HCI)
  • Contrast a mental model and a conceptual model for a design
  • List ways to ensure that a design matches a user’s mental model
  • List and describe common UX methods

How to Complete this Lesson

Complete the following learning activities: (2.25 hours total)

  1. Read the following in Interaction Design: beyond human-computer interaction:
    • What is Interaction Design? (45 minutes)
      • The User Experience
      • The Process of Interaction Design
      • Interaction Design and the User Experience
  2. Watch What is UX? (9 minutes)
  3. Watch Establishing good usability (9 minutes)
  4. Watch Design (5 minutes)
  5. Participate in the synchronous session during the class meeting time (optional)
  6. Complete the quiz (5–8 minutes)
  7. Complete the initial implementation (60 minutes)

Due

As a reminder, the following are due this lesson:

Resources

Further Reading

Spolsky, User Interface Design For Programmers, 2001

Tools

Balsamiq’s Wireframes for Desktops is a UI wireframing tool designed to reproduce the experience of sketching on a notepad or whiteboard. Tutorials are available if you are interested.