Introductory description

User experience (UX) encompasses all aspects of the end-user's interaction with the company, its services, and its products. Whilst attractive and visually stunning applications are quick to create, applications need to fulfil user requirements to be successful. For providing a good user experience, the specific needs of the customers need to be identified to develop an application that is accessible, usable, credible, useful, and desirable. In particular, UX design plays a crucial role in mobile development as it ensures that the application is not only visually appealing but also easy to use and navigate, leading to higher user satisfaction and engagement.
This module contributes to AHEP 4 learning outcomes for Partial CEng and BCS accreditation criteria for Full CITP as referenced in the learning outcomes.

Module web page

Module aims

Outline syllabus

This is an indicative module outline only to give an indication of the sort of topics that may be covered. Actual sessions held may differ.

Introduction to user experience
Importance of user experience
Acquire project requirements
User experience design (UXD) process
Understanding when, where, who, what and why of UXD
Understanding user personas
Graphical user interface (UI)
Visual design
Balance and proportion in UI
Responsive design
Flow and interaction in design
Design for accessibility
Digital wireframes
Prototype development
Designer tools for prototyping
Prototype test
Usability testing
Human Interface Guidelines
Design principles and concepts
Material design
Mobile design
Native mobile Apps
Cross platform native mobile Apps
Hybrid mobile apps
Android app development

Learning outcomes

By the end of the module, students should be able to:

• Comprehensively understand the fundamental design principles and concepts relating to user experience to efficiently improve accessibility and usability [CITP: 2.1.1].
• Discuss various user experience design methods applied to software development [CITP: 2.1.2, 2.1.6, 2.2.4].
• Effectively analyse usable, useful, and desirable user experience and interface considering user requirements [CITP: 2.1.10, 2.1.11].
• Design a wireframe and prototype using various appropriate tools based on user requirements and needs [AHEP:4 - C5] [CITP:2.2.1, 2.1.8].
• Critically evaluate user experience design and functionalities for usability and accessibility [CITP: 2.2.2].
• Systemically apply the principles, methods, and tools of user experience to develop mobile application that meet user requirements [AHEP:4 - C6] [CITP: 2.2.6].

Indicative reading list

Reading lists can be found in Talis

Specific reading list for the module

Subject specific skills

Contributes to the occupational standard for Digital and Technology Solutions Professional (ST0119):

• Analyse a business problem to identify the role of digital and technology solutions (S1).
• Identify risks, determine mitigation strategies and opportunities for improvement in a digital and technology solutions project (S2).
• Manage digital and technology solutions projects. For example, identifying and resolving deviations from specification, applying appropriate Project Management methodologies (S6).
• Research, investigate, and evaluate innovative technologies or approaches in the development of a digital and technology solution (S14).

Transferable skills

• Digital Literacy (Has the capabilities that enable living, learning and working in a digital society. Comfortable with using digital media to communicate, solve problems, manage information, collaborate, create and share content.)
• Problem Solving (Use rational and logical reasoning to deduce appropriate and well-reasoned conclusions. Retain an open mind, optimistic of finding solutions, thinking laterally and creatively to look beyond the obvious. Knows how to learn from failure.)
• Critical Thinking (Recognise patterns, themes and key messages from sometimes confused and incomplete data. Make informed decisions on the value of a range of sources allowing an evidence based conclusion based on this analysis.)
• Professionalism (Prepared to operate autonomously. Aware of how to be efficient and resilient. Manages priorities and time. Self-motivated, setting and achieving goals, prioritising tasks)
• Information Literacy (Critical awareness of how information is gathered, used, managed and synthesised. Understanding of the relative value of different sources and the importance of provenance. The systematic collection, analysis and evaluation of information in the investigation of a topic.)