GD6020 - Digital Design and User Experience

You will learn through a mix of tutor-led taught sessions, group-based creative and practical activities, practical workshop sessions, and independent study. Taught sessions will be a combination of tutor-led discussion, technician-supported technical instruction and guidance and you will be supported in your learning via the module reading lists and directed learning tasks (with additional learning materials provided in taught sessions). Your learning will also be supported through group tutorials and individual tutorials with the module tutor. In this module, you will further develop the skills that you learned and were supported with in the Block 1 module Academic, Research and Career Development.

You will be supported academically throughout the module with the clear provision of a module brief that sets out the week-by-week content of the module, its core activities, and detailed information about the assessments, their submission dates and the submission platform (Blackboard and/or Turnitin). Additionally, you will be supported through the provision of on-going tutor contact throughout the module (in seminars and workshops and one-to-one tutorials with the module tutor(s). At the end of the module, you will be provided with feedback on your assessed work that will communicate the strengths and areas for improvement in your work, acting as a tool of evaluation and an important process of feedforward to influence your future assessed work.

All modules at Northumbria include a range of reading materials that students are expected to engage with. The reading list for this module can be found at: http://readinglists.northumbria.ac.uk
(Reading List service online guide for academic staff this containing contact details for the Reading List team – http://library.northumbria.ac.uk/readinglists)

Knowledge & Understanding:

1. Students will be able to critically evaluate professional UX graphic design examples using established principles, theories, and industry examples to assess usability, accessibility, and visual communication effectiveness (K&U 3).

2. Students will be able to demonstrate an advanced understanding of the relationship between user experience (UX) and graphic design, exploring how design decisions impact user engagement, interaction, and overall digital product success (K&U2).

Intellectual / Professional skills & abilities:

3. Students will be able to analyse and contextualise contemporary UX graphic design practices within industry standards, emerging trends, and evolving technological developments to assess their effectiveness, innovation and potential limitations (IPSA 2).
4. Demonstrate the ability to conduct independent research into UX design best practices, employing appropriate methodologies to assess real-world examples and critique UX design approach (IPSA 3).

Personal Values Attributes (Global / Cultural awareness, Ethics, Curiosity) (PVA):

5. Demonstrate self-awareness in terms of design decision-making (PVA 2).

This module will be 100% summatively assessed at the end of the module through the following submissions:

UX Concept & Design (100%)

The assessment is based on the design of a UX prototype (e.g., a new app, website, interactive digital interface, a brand or service communication interface). Students can produce a practical interface (using Figma, etc.) or a conceptual mock-up that visually conveys the differing elements of the interface. This is supported (with reference to literature and research) to explanations of key concepts and the practical elements of the project (the nature and practice of UI, UX, etc.). Issues such as sustainability, inclusivity, and working with diverse communities can be factors of focus (MLO 1, MLO 2, MLO 3, MLO 4).
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The conclusion of the work will take the form of an evaluative and reflective statement that explains the iteration of the interface, the design choices, and ideas relating to its potential social impact. The assessment equates to 4000 words (MLO 5).

Formative feedback will be given throughout the module culminating in a final presentation prior to final assessment submission and summative feedback provided to students through the chosen teaching and learning platform (Blackboard/Turnitin).

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This module gives you a state-of-the-art understanding of a dynamic and impactful development and practice in graphic and digital design, UX design. While material design is still significant, traditional forms and modes of creative graphic communication are rapidly evolving into interactive, user-centered forms that are enhancing the impact and experience of design and design engagement. The module communicates how UX design is a crucial element in the contemporary design landscape and the design industry. As such, you will learn the central components of UX digital design and how users engage with UX in a variety of real-world scenarios.
The module will enable you to develop new skills and understandings of contemporary digital design as you will design a UX design project supported with research-informed understandings of the technology and approach, with the result that you will be well-versed in understanding how UX is a transformative design tool. In terms of experience and knowledge, you will work that examines UX in action to further your conceptual, technical, and industry-facing understanding of digital design, fully supported by tutor-led lecture/seminar/workshop sessions and your own research engagement.