Course Outline

August 22 
INTRODUCTION
Introduction to course, format, expectations
Mental Model, How are expectations changing? Different types of interfaces?
Vocabulary, User Centered Design
READ & REACT: 5 Design Styles, YWSG – Chapter 1 & 2


August 29 
MEET THE CLIENT

PLANNING & CHARTER
Create Groups
ASSIGN: User Research, Competitor Analysis, Personas
READ & REACT: Mobile First
Post Research Plan

September 5
MOBILE FIRST - DESIGNING FOR MULTI-DEVICE EXPERIENCES
RESEARCH
IN CLASS: Participatory Research
READ & REACT: Usability/Krug, 10 Heuristics
Post Web & Mobile Charter

September 12
USABILITY
Usability Heuristics
READ & REACT – Chapter 3, 4, 5


September 19
INFORMATION ARCHITECTURE 
Information Architecture, Navigation, Site Structure, Interface Design
IN CLASS: IA Exercise/Card Sort - Bring content!
ASSIGN: Site Diagram, Wireframes, Templates

September 26

PROGRESS CRITIQUE
Post All Assignments to Blog



Present Progress, Research, Site Diagram, Strategy

OCTOBER 3
PAGE & VISUAL DESIGN 
READ & REACT – Chapter 6, 7, 8
Page Design, Visual Design, Typography, Graphics


October 10 
PROTOTYPING STRATEGIES & AUTHORING TOOLS
Prototyping Strategies, How-To Demonstrations
HTML, Dreamweaver Intro
IN CLASS: Paper Prototype Testing with Wireframes


October 17
Field Trip - Chase Polaris Facility
Learn About User Experience Operations


October 24
PROTOTYPING STRATEGIES & AUTHORING TOOLS
Group Consults


October 31
NO CLASS


November 7
Review Mobile Designs
CSS & ACCESSIBILITY
CSS, CSS Zen Garden
Accessibility
ASSIGN ZEN GARDEN EXERCISE

November 14
USABILITY TESTING  1  (BRING A FRIEND)
Conducting Usability Tests
DUE: Your Clickable Prototype
Prep for Final Presentations

November 21
IN CLASS CONSULTS


November 28
DUE: Your Clickable Prototype & Mobile
Due CSS Zen Garden
Prep for Final Presentations

December 5
FINAL PRESENTATIONS