Units

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Sample subject outline - Semester 1 2013

Note: Subject outlines often change before the semester begins. Below is a sample outline.

Rationale

In order to work successfully as a designer in the field of interactive media you will need to understand the ways in which people communicate and create meaning through embodied interactions. Designing embodied interfaces requires an understanding of how physical and social phenomena unfold across both time and space, and how we interact with the world in which we are situated. To create embodied interfaces you will also require skills in the use of interactive media technologies, specifically interface technologies other than the typical mouse and keyboard.

Aims

The aim of this unit is to provide you with an understanding of embodiment, and how to design and realize embodied interfaces in the context of the Creative Industries.

Objectives

On completion of this unit you should be able to:
1. understand and be able to articulate in written documents and design practice the concept of embodiment as it relates to interactive media design;
2. analyse, critique and communicate existing projects in terms of the embodied experiences they produce;
3. develop project concepts and proposals for embodied interfaces that reflect knowledge of the field;
4. develop plans and designs for embodied interfaces;
5. understand technologies involved in the creation of embodied interfaces;
6. implement demonstrations of designs in the form of design prototypes.

Content

This unit combines theory and practice. It provides lectures that address content such as the theories and principles of embodiment and embodied interaction, and the design methodologies employed in the realization of embodied interfaces. In studios, you will also acquire the practical skills required to design and implement embodied interfaces, for example motion tracking techniques, physical computing and tangible media techniques, wearable computing, audio input and gestural interaction techniques.

Approaches to Teaching and Learning

This unit combines theory and practice and consists of both lectures and tutorials. You will not only be taught how to use hardware and software specific to the field, but also how to approach problems and issues from a design point of view.

Lectures will cover theories and principles of embodied interaction and design methodologies. You will be encouraged to apply the information received in the lectures to your work and lines of inquiry. The tutorials will consist of both supervised and unsupervised practical workshops; discussion and critical analysis of selected readings and works; and time for developing and refining skills in an open, constructive and creatively supportive environment. This unit encourages critical and constructive evaluation, problem solving, research, exploration and questioning of traditional modes of interactive multimedia, media production and delivery.

Assessment

LATE ASSIGNMENTS
An assignment submitted after the due date without an approved extension will not be marked. If you are unable to complete your assignment on time, you should submit on time whatever work you have done.

Faculty Assessment Information
To access complete Creative Industries Faculty Assessment Information please refer to the Blackboard site for this unit.FORMATIVE ASSESSMENT
You will engage in critique sessions where you, your colleagues, and academic staff will discuss issues arising in the development and resolution of designs. You will also be required to attend progress reviews with teaching staff. These reviews will require you to present your progress towards the summative assessment items and will provide you with an avenue for dialogue with teaching staff and for feedback on your work. Weight 0%

You will be awarded a final grade on a 1 to 7 scale.

Assessment name: Technical Demonstration
Description: (Formative and Summative) You are required to produce three working demonstrations of the application of different interface technologies covered in the unit. This work must be supported by a written document that describes each demonstration and situates each demonstration in the field of embodied interaction. Max. length: 1000 words or equivalent.
Relates to objectives: 2 & 5
Weight: 30%
Internal or external: Internal
Group or individual: Individual
Due date: Mid Semester

Assessment name: Project Proposal
Description: You will develop a proposal for an embodied interface addressing a specific brief. The submission must clearly describe the work, situate the work within the field, and provide an outline of the design process / production plan. Max. length: 2000 words or equivalent.
Relates to objectives: 1, 2, 3, 4
Weight: 20%
Internal or external: Internal
Group or individual: Individual
Due date: Mid Semester

Assessment name: Prototype
Description: (Formative and Summative) Prototype. For this assessment you should create a demonstrable prototype for an embodied interface addressing a specific design brief. This includes the presentation and demonstration of the prototype to staff and students at the end of semester. The prototype must be supported by a written document, which outlines the design processes, how the prototype addresses the specific brief, and provides a critical reflection upon your work. Max. length: 1500 words or equivalent.
Relates to objectives: All
Weight: 50%
Internal or external: Internal
Group or individual: Individual
Due date: End of Semester

Academic Honesty

QUT is committed to maintaining high academic standards to protect the value of its qualifications. To assist you in assuring the academic integrity of your assessment you are encouraged to make use of the support materials and services available to help you consider and check your assessment items. Important information about the university's approach to academic integrity of assessment is on your unit Blackboard site.

A breach of academic integrity is regarded as Student Misconduct and can lead to the imposition of penalties.

Resource materials

Required Texts

There is no set text for this unit.

Recommended References

Dawes, B. (2007) Analog in, digital out : Brendan Dawes on interaction design. Berkeley, CA: New Riders

Dourish, P. (c.2001) Where the action is: the foundations of embodied interaction. Cambridge, MA: MIT Press

Greenfield, A. (2006) Everyware: the dawning age of ubiquitous computing. Berkeley, CA: New Riders

Igoe, T. (2007) Making things talk: [practical methods for connecting physical objects]. North Sebastopol, CA: O'Reilly Media

McCullough, M. (2004) Digital ground : architecture, pervasive computing, and environmental knowing. Cambridge, MA; London: MIT Press

Moggridge, B. (2007) Designing interactions. Cambridge, MA: MIT Press

O'Sullivan, D. and T. Igoe (2004) Physical computing: sensing and controlling the physical world with computers. Boston, MA: Thomson

Wilson, S. (2002) Information arts: intersections of art, science, and technology. Cambridge, MA: MIT Press

Risk assessment statement

There are no out of the ordinary risks for this unit.

Disclaimer - Offer of some units is subject to viability, and information in these Unit Outlines is subject to change prior to commencement of semester.

Last modified: 05-Oct-2012