As the digital world grows and grows, multimodal digital media is increasingly consumed across multiple platforms and devices, for example mobile phones, tablets, and mixed reality head mounted displays. Modern interaction between users and information systems is multimodal in nature, incorporating gestures, voice, and other forms of user interface. This module aims to develop your technical, social, business and management understanding to define and deliver effective information systems from a human centric perspective.

This module takes a systems approach to Human Centric Computing and deals with relevant aspects of Human Computer Interaction (HCI), Human Perception and Visualization.

1. Understand the complex nature of users and apply heuristics to create and evaluate inclusive and multimodal user experiences.
2. Evaluate competing proposals for interface design and implementation.
3. Apply human centric design methodologies in the context of current and emerging interaction technologies such as virtual and augmented reality.
4. Demonstrate competency in the method of scientific analysis, the control of variables, analysis, and the presentation of outcomes.
5. Understand experimental design for the subjective assessment of user experience
6. Select and apply suitable methodologies for the conduct and analysis of a subjective experiment.

Modules will be delivered through blended learning. You will be guided through learning activities appropriate to your module, which may include: • on-line resources that you work through at your own pace (e.g. videos, web resources, e-books, quizzes), • on-line interactive sessions to work with other students and staff (e.g. discussions, live streaming of presentations, live-coding, team meetings) • face to face small group sessions (e.g. help classes, feedback sessions)

Please see Learning Outcomes.

A blend of assessment types which may include coursework and portfolio assessments, class tests, and/or formal examinations.

Usability engineering and user-centred design.

Cognitive and task modelling.

Prototyping interfaces.

Interaction design patterns for current and emerging technologies.

Usability guidelines and principles.

Usability evaluation techniques and universal design.

Scientific and information visualization tools and techniques.

Experimental design and data analysis.

Advanced interaction and display technologies.

Design for accessibility.

Multimodal interface design.

Auditory icons and earcons.

Immersion and Sense of Presence in Mixed Reality experiences.

UX for Mixed Reality experiences including selection and locomotion techniques.

Indicative Reading and Resource List:

In addition to the guided reading provided during the course, students will be expected to widely research contemporary issues as reflected in appropriate journals.

The following books may also be relevant:

Preece P, Rogers Y, and Sharp H. (2015) “Interaction Design: Beyond Human-Computer Interaction”, Wiley

Tidwell J (2010) “Designing Interfaces”, O’Reilly

Hoober S and Berkman E (2014) “Designing Mobile Interfaces”, O’Reilly

Spence R. (2006) “Information Visualization: Design for Interaction”, Prentice Hall.

McCandless M. (2012) “Information is Beautiful”, Collins.

Tufte E R. (1990) “Envisioning Information”, Graphic Press USA.

Huang W, Alem L, and Livingston M A. (2013) “Human Factors in Augmented Reality Environments”, Springer, ISBN: 978-1-4614-4204-2 (Print)

Thomas Tullis and William Albert. Measuring the User Experience: Collecting, Analyzing, and Presenting Usability Metrics (Interactive Technologies). (ISBN-10:  0123735580)

3D Sound for Virtual Reality and Multimedia Applications - Begault 1994