Outline

Overview

This unit introduces principles of interface and interaction design through design projects. Students will develop technical as well as methodological skills for designing and developing interactive products and services. Elements of interaction design including menus, screen design, animation, and graphics design will be addressed for various platforms, including online applications and mobile devices. The unit builds on the design methods introduced in DECO1006/DECO2016, such as user research, storyboarding, and prototyping. It allows students to develop an advanced understanding of these methods through applying them in a specific design context. Students will learn about methods for collecting user requirements, synthesising and visualising concepts, prototyping user interfaces, e.g. in the form of mobile apps, and evaluating prototypes.

Unit details and rules

Academic unit	Design Lab
Credit points	12
Prerequisites ?	DECO1006 or DECO2016 or DECO1016
Corequisites ?	None
Prohibitions ?	None
Assumed knowledge ?	None
Available to study abroad and exchange students	Yes

Teaching staff

Coordinator	Soojeong Yoo, soojeong.yoo@sydney.edu.au

Assessment

The census date for this unit availability is 1 September 2025

Details
Criteria

Type	Description	Weight	Due	Length	Use of AI
In-class quiz	Task 3: Weekly Quiz Students will complete ten short in-class quizzes (2.5% each) during the first 15 minutes of tutorials in Weeks 3–12, excluding Week 6, designed to assess their understanding of weekly lecture topics as well as the activities covered in class.	22.5%	Multiple weeks	Short answers question	AI allowed
Outcomes assessed:
Creative work	Task 1: First Concept Exploration and Pitch Task 1: Design Concept Proposal and Pitch	35%	Multiple weeks	During tutorial and studio in w6 & w8	AI allowed
Outcomes assessed:
In-class quiz	In class quiz In-class quiz #earlyfeedbacktask	2.5%	Week 02	see canvas	AI allowed
Outcomes assessed:
Creative work	Task 2: Final Design Task 2: Final Design	40%	Week 13	During the studio in week 13	AI allowed
Outcomes assessed:
= group assignment ? = early feedback task ?

Early feedback task

This unit includes an early feedback task, designed to give you feedback prior to the census date for this unit. Details are provided in the Canvas site and your result will be recorded in your Marks page. It is important that you actively engage with this task so that the University can support you to be successful in this unit.

Assessment summary

Task 1: First Concept Exploration and Pitch (35%): This task supports the early-stage development of your design project by guiding you through the process of defining, testing, and refining an initial concept. In Part 1 (10%), you will present your preliminary concept in a short Week 6 pitch, receiving formative feedback from your tutor and peers to help you clarify your direction. In Part 2 (25%), you will participate in a Week 8 Testing Fair, where you will test a low- or mid-fidelity prototype with your classmates.

Task 2: Final Design (40%): The showcase should be persuasive and communicative, effectively presenting your high-fidelity prototype while telling the story of your design journey. It should clearly articulate the problem space, highlight key design decisions, and demonstrate why your solution is meaningful, inclusive, and accessible to your intended users.

Task 3: Weekly Quiz (25%): Students will complete 10 short in-class quizzes (3% each) during the first 15 minutes of tutorials in Weeks 2–11, designed to assess their understanding of weekly lecture topics as well as the activities covered in class.

Assessment criteria

The University awards common result grades, set out in the Coursework Policy 2014 (Schedule 1).

As a general guide, a high distinction indicates work of an exceptional standard, a distinction a very high standard, a credit a good standard, and a pass an acceptable standard.

Result name	Mark range	Description
High distinction	85 - 100	Work of outstanding quality, demonstrating mastery of the learning outcomes assessed. The work shows significant innovation, experimentation, critical analysis, synthesis, insight, creativity, and/or exceptional skill.
Distinction	75 - 84	Work of excellent quality, demonstrating a sound grasp of the learning outcomes assessed. The work shows innovation, experimentation, critical analysis, synthesis, insight, creativity, and/or superior skill.
Credit	65 - 74	Work of good quality, demonstrating more than satisfactory achievement of the learning outcomes assessed, or work of excellent quality for a majority of the learning outcomes assessed.
Pass	50 - 64	Work demonstrating satisfactory achievement of the learning outcomes assessed.
Fail	0 - 49	Work that does not demonstrate satisfactory achievement of one or more of the learning outcomes assessed.

For more information see guide to grades.

Use of generative artificial intelligence (AI)

You can use generative AI tools for open assessments. Restrictions on AI use apply to secure, supervised assessments used to confirm if students have met specific learning outcomes.

Refer to the assessment table above to see if AI is allowed, for assessments in this unit and check Canvas for full instructions on assessment tasks and AI use.

If you use AI, you must always acknowledge it. Misusing AI may lead to a breach of the Academic Integrity Policy.

Visit the Current Students website for more information on AI in assessments, including details on how to acknowledge its use.

Late submission

In accordance with University policy, these penalties apply when written work is submitted after 11:59pm on the due date:

Deduction of 5% of the maximum mark for each calendar day after the due date.
After ten calendar days late, a mark of zero will be awarded.

This unit has an exception to the standard University policy or supplementary information has been provided by the unit coordinator. This information is displayed below:

In accordance with University policy, the following penalties apply to late submissions: a deduction of 5% of the maximum mark for each calendar day after the deadline. Submissions more than ten calendar days late will receive a mark of zero.

Academic integrity

The University expects students to act ethically and honestly and will treat all allegations of academic integrity breaches seriously.

Our website provides information on academic integrity and the resources available to all students. This includes advice on how to avoid common breaches of academic integrity. Ensure that you have completed the Academic Honesty Education Module (AHEM) which is mandatory for all commencing coursework students

Penalties for serious breaches can significantly impact your studies and your career after graduation. It is important that you speak with your unit coordinator if you need help with completing assessments.

Visit the Current Students website for more information on AI in assessments, including details on how to acknowledge its use.

Learning support

Simple extensions

If you encounter a problem submitting your work on time, you may be able to apply for an extension of five calendar days through a simple extension.  The application process will be different depending on the type of assessment and extensions cannot be granted for some assessment types like exams.

Special consideration

If exceptional circumstances mean you can’t complete an assessment, you need consideration for a longer period of time, or if you have essential commitments which impact your performance in an assessment, you may be eligible for special consideration or special arrangements.

Special consideration applications will not be affected by a simple extension application.

Using AI responsibly

Co-created with students, AI in Education includes lots of helpful examples of how students use generative AI tools to support their learning. It explains how generative AI works, the different tools available and how to use them responsibly and productively.

Support for students

The Support for Students Policy reflects the University’s commitment to supporting students in their academic journey and making the University safe for students. It is important that you read and understand this policy so that you are familiar with the range of support services available to you and understand how to engage with them.

The University uses email as its primary source of communication with students who need support under the Support for Students Policy. Make sure you check your University email regularly and respond to any communications received from the University.

Learning resources and detailed information about weekly assessment and learning activities can be accessed via Canvas. It is essential that you visit your unit of study Canvas site to ensure you are up to date with all of your tasks.

If you are having difficulties completing your studies, or are feeling unsure about your progress, we are here to help. You can access the support services offered by the University at any time:

Support and Services (including health and wellbeing services, financial support and learning support)
Course planning and administration
Meet with an Academic Adviser

Weekly schedule

WK	Topic	Learning activity
Week 01	Introduction to Interaction Design (IxD)	Lecture (1 hr)
	Problem Discovery	Tutorial (2 hr)
	Discovering Problem Areas	Studio (3 hr)
Week 02	Advanced Research Methods	Lecture (1 hr)
	Research Design	Tutorial (2 hr)
	Creating a Research Plan	Studio (3 hr)
Week 03	Designing for Omni-Channel Interactions	Lecture (1 hr)
	Prototyping in different Omni-Channel	Tutorial (2 hr)
	Prototype Design #1	Studio (3 hr)
Week 04	Introduction to Interactive Prototyping	Lecture (1 hr)
	Prototyping Fundamentals	Tutorial (2 hr)
	Prototype Design #2	Studio (3 hr)
Week 05	Advanced Usability Testing	Lecture (1 hr)
	Design user study (Part 1) - Quantitative	Tutorial (2 hr)
	Design user study (Part 2) - Qualitative	Studio (3 hr)
Week 06	Interaction Design in Practice	Lecture (1 hr)
	Concept Presentation	Tutorial (2 hr)
	Usability Test Plans	Studio (3 hr)
Week 07	Ethics & Collaboration in Design Practice	Lecture (1 hr)
	Ethics activity	Tutorial (2 hr)
	Create ethics form for testing	Studio (3 hr)
Week 08	Different Interaction Methods	Lecture (1 hr)
	Prep for testing fair	Tutorial (2 hr)
	Testing Fair	Studio (3 hr)
Week 09	Accessibility in Interaction Design	Lecture (1 hr)
	Accessibility and inclusive design	Tutorial (2 hr)
	Data Synthesis & Prototype Refinements	Studio (3 hr)
Week 10	Advanced Prototyping - Design System	Lecture (1 hr)
	Animation and Transition Design	Tutorial (2 hr)
	Prototype Design #3	Studio (3 hr)
Week 11	Communicating Design & Product Thinking	Lecture (1 hr)
	Prototype Evaluation #2	Tutorial (2 hr)
	Prototype Evaluation #2	Studio (3 hr)
Week 12	Futures in Interaction Design	Lecture (1 hr)
	Practice Design Showcase	Tutorial (2 hr)
	Practice Design Showcase	Studio (3 hr)
Week 13	Assignment Feedback	Lecture (1 hr)
	Design Showcase	Tutorial (2 hr)
	Design Showcase	Studio (3 hr)

Attendance and class requirements

Students are required to meet the School of Architecture, Design and Plannings minimum attendance requirement of 90% of tutorials. That is, two unexplained absences. Tutors will keep attendance and must be advised by email, in advance, if you are unable to attend due to illness or misadventure.

For absences that coincide with a group assessment task, you will need to apply for special consideration and must meet the eligibility criteria to have your absence approved. Once approved, your component of the group assessment task will be rescheduled. If special consideration is not approved, you will receive an Absent Fail for the unit. An absent fail means, even if you submit all other assignments for the unit you will still fail the unit as you will have not completed all of the mandatory assessment tasks.

In person lecture attendance and recorded lecture views will be monitored, as most of the foundational content for this unit is ONLY delivered in lectures. Tutorials do not repeat lecture material. Keywords, concepts, and methods that are defined and explained in lectures are expected to be applied in tutorials, assessments, and other units in Bachelor of Design (Interaction Design) program.

Study commitment

Typically, there is a minimum expectation of 1.5-2 hours of student effort per week per credit point for units of study offered over a full semester. For a 12 credit point unit, this equates to roughly 240-300 hours of student effort in total.

Required readings

All readings for this unit can be accessed through the Library eReserve, available on Canvas.

Sharp, H., Rogers, Y., Preece, J., 2019. Interaction Design: Beyond Human-Computer Interaction. John Wiley & Sons.
Tomitsch, M., Wrigley, C., Borthwick, M., Ahmadpour, N., Frawley, J., Kocaballi, B., Núñez-Pacheco, C., Straker, K. and Loke, L., 2018. Design. Think. Make. Break. Repeat. A handbook of methods. Bis Publishers.

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes are what students know, understand and are able to do on completion of a unit of study. They are aligned with the University's graduate qualities and are assessed as part of the curriculum.

Outcomes
Graduate qualities

At the completion of this unit, you should be able to:

LO1. assess the requirements of an interaction design problem
LO2. assess the structural and navigational requirements of web sites, mobile applications and computing devices
LO3. prototype, develop and document designs that involve interaction
LO4. design and develop web sites, mobile applications and/or tangible computing using state-of-the-art prototyping techniques
LO5. apply a variety of design approaches and techniques for ideation, prototyping, and evaluation
LO6. evaluate the performance and user experience of a design solution
LO7. reflectively document their process and design solution
LO8. work effectively in teams
LO9. demonstrate rigor in research
LO10. understand, discuss and apply interaction design principles and concepts.

Graduate qualities

The graduate qualities are the qualities and skills that all University of Sydney graduates must demonstrate on successful completion of an award course. As a future Sydney graduate, the set of qualities have been designed to equip you for the contemporary world.

GQ1	Depth of disciplinary expertise Deep disciplinary expertise is the ability to integrate and rigorously apply knowledge, understanding and skills of a recognised discipline defined by scholarly activity, as well as familiarity with evolving practice of the discipline.
GQ2	Critical thinking and problem solving Critical thinking and problem solving are the questioning of ideas, evidence and assumptions in order to propose and evaluate hypotheses or alternative arguments before formulating a conclusion or a solution to an identified problem.
GQ3	Oral and written communication Effective communication, in both oral and written form, is the clear exchange of meaning in a manner that is appropriate to audience and context.
GQ4	Information and digital literacy Information and digital literacy is the ability to locate, interpret, evaluate, manage, adapt, integrate, create and convey information using appropriate resources, tools and strategies.
GQ5	Inventiveness Generating novel ideas and solutions.
GQ6	Cultural competence Cultural Competence is the ability to actively, ethically, respectfully, and successfully engage across and between cultures. In the Australian context, this includes and celebrates Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, knowledge systems, and a mature understanding of contemporary issues.
GQ7	Interdisciplinary effectiveness Interdisciplinary effectiveness is the integration and synthesis of multiple viewpoints and practices, working effectively across disciplinary boundaries.
GQ8	Integrated professional, ethical, and personal identity An integrated professional, ethical and personal identity is understanding the interaction between one’s personal and professional selves in an ethical context.
GQ9	Influence Engaging others in a process, idea or vision.

Outcome map

Learning outcomes	Graduate qualities
Learning outcomes

Responding to student feedback

This section outlines changes made to this unit following staff and student reviews.

Updated the schedule to reduce the emphasis on design thinking and place greater focus on how to design and evaluate design methods (both quantitative and qualitative), as well as on developing interactive screen-based prototypes. Also revised the assessment item from a reflective essay to weekly quizzes to help students better understand and engage with the weekly lecture content.

Disclaimer

The University reserves the right to amend units of study or no longer offer certain units, including where there are low enrolment numbers.

To help you understand common terms that we use at the University, we offer an online glossary.

Current students

Overview

Overview

Unit details and rules

Teaching staff

Assessment

Assessment

Early feedback task

Assessment summary

Assessment criteria

Use of generative artificial intelligence (AI)

Late submission

Academic integrity

Learning support

Learning support

Simple extensions

Special consideration

Using AI responsibly

Support for students

Weekly schedule

Weekly schedule

Attendance and class requirements

Study commitment

Required readings

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes

Graduate qualities

Outcome map

Responding to student feedback

Responding to student feedback

Disclaimer

On this page

Useful links

DECO2200: Interaction Design Studio

Semester 2, 2025 [Normal day] - Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney

Overview

Overview

Unit details and rules

Teaching staff

Assessment

Assessment

Early feedback task

Assessment summary

Assessment criteria

Use of generative artificial intelligence (AI)

Late submission

Academic integrity

Learning support

Learning support

Simple extensions

Special consideration

Using AI responsibly

Support for students

Weekly schedule

Weekly schedule

Attendance and class requirements

Study commitment

Required readings

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes

Graduate qualities

Outcome map

Responding to student feedback

Responding to student feedback

Disclaimer

On this page

Useful links