Entry requirements

At least 45 credits in the main field of Interaction Design.

Progression level in relation to degree requirements

The course is part of the main field of studies in Interaction Design and can normally be included as part of a general degree.

Course contents

Designers shape material, and we take the material of interaction design to be interactivity. The ability to critique and shape the interaction aesthetic in a thoughtful, precise manner is of clear benefit for developing a designerly practice. Being sensitised to interactivity allows the interaction designer to consider not just for whom they are designing and the function of the product, but the very experience or ‘feel’ of interacting with it.

Through a designerly practice in the Bauhaus tradition, we will engage with the basic elements of interaction design - code, electronics and materials to bring to life interactive prototypes and sketches. Through exploration and mastery of materials and tools, we will explore notions of interaction qualities, opening discussions on interaction design research topics and relating design work to contemporary interactive artifacts. We purposefully bracket designing concepts or use situations.

The course consists of a series of short modules, each of which combine a theme and a technological material. Themes are explored through rapid design explorations with the paired material and critique sessions. In this process, we sharpen conceptions of interaction and the interactive experience, as well as the technical skills of design. The reflective journal includes on-going reflections of work conducted in the modules as well as a final essay.

The topic and technology for each module will vary. Students are expected to have prior experience with basic circuits, microcontrollers and Javascript.

Learning outcomes

On completing the course, students will be able to:

1. Demonstrate competency in sketching and prototyping interactivity
2. Articulate the development and maturation of their designerly practice
3. Explore meaningful interaction design-based questions through prototyping and sketching with code and related materials
4. Critically engage with course literature and design practice

Learning activities

Instruction consists of lectures, design work and critique sessions.

Assessment

Assessment has two components:

• Design work and reflective journaling of each module (10 HP; LO 1, 2, 3)
• Final essay (5 HP; LOs 4)

Course literature

Literature will be provided according to topics selected for the course.

Course evaluation

Malmö University provides students who participate in, or who have completed a course, with the opportunity to express their opinions and describe their experiences of the course by completing a course evaluation administered by the University. The University will compile and summarise the results of course evaluations. The University will also inform participants of the results and any decisions relating to measures taken in response to the course evaluations. The results will be made available to the students (HF 1:14).

Interim rules

If a course is no longer offered, or has undergone significant changes, the students must be offered two opportunities for re-examination based on the syllabus that applied at the time of registration, for a period of one year after the changes have been implemented.

Additional information

If a student has a Learning support decision, the examiner has the right to provide the student with an adapted test, or to allow the student to take the exam in a different format. The syllabus is a translation of a Swedish source text.