UXD 101 | DESIGN PRINCIPLES FOR USER EXPERIENCE DESIGN | 4 quarter hours
(Undergraduate)
This course introduces user experience design principles using code. User experience design principles include: affordance, conceptual model, consistency, constraint, discoverability, feedback, mapping, and signifiers. Students will observe and analyze user experience design principles through activities and group discussion. Students will apply user experience design principles through design exercises and projects. This is an introductory-level course, prior experience is not expected. Beginners are welcome.
UXD 205 | POWER, VULNERABILITY, AND INCLUSION IN DESIGN RESEARCH AND PRACTICE | 4 quarter hours
(Undergraduate)
This course focuses on vulnerability and inclusion themes. Through critical readings, discussions, and exercises students will consider needs and explore the complex relationships intersecting race/ethnicity, gender, sexuality, class, disability, and power in design research and design practices.
UXD 210 | INTRODUCTION TO USER EXPERIENCE DESIGN | 4 quarter hours
(Undergraduate)
This course familiarizes students with the user-centered design process, including user and task analysis, interaction design, prototyping, and evaluation. Students study human perception, cognition and motor abilities as they relate to the design of interactive systems. In a series of projects, students design and revise both low-fidelity and high-fidelity interactive prototypes as they apply a user-centered design process. Emphasized topics include user profiles, information architecture, and usability testing. Students provide written analysis of their research and process.
UXD 220 | PROTOTYPING METHODS I | 4 quarter hours
(Undergraduate)
This course focuses on designing information and interaction through prototyping, with an emphasis on information architecture and interaction design. Students create working low to mid-fidelity prototypes that demonstrate a range of design patterns for interactive systems.
UXD 222 | INTRODUCTION TO DATA VISUALIZATION DESIGN | 4 quarter hours
(Undergraduate)
This course introduces data concepts and themes, along with approaches to visualizing quantitative and qualitative data. Topics include: perception, types of information, representation of univariate and multivariate data and relational information, analysis of representations, presentation, and dynamic and interactive visualizations. Students will create visualizations using a range of techniques.
UXD 225 | CODING DESIGN FRAMEWORKS | 4 quarter hours
(Undergraduate)
User Experience Designers facilitate communication between people, communities, and computer-based systems. We think in terms of code, without necessarily writing the code ourselves. This class introduces user experience design students to code-facilitated systems thinking: breaking down people's activities and community activity into a set of steps that allows the use of computer-based systems as tools. Students work with code to build prototype systems based on the needs of people, with a focus on ethical and inclusive design. Topics include: algorithms, system thinking, instruction sets, UxD software design and engineering, and use-case scenarios.
UXD 227 | ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE TOOLS IN USER-CENTERED DESIGN | 4 quarter hours
(Undergraduate)
This course introduces the use of AI tools in enhancing research, interface design, UX design, wireframing, prototyping, and usability testing. Students will engage with AI technologies as part of their design process, improving user insights, and creating more effective and adaptable user interfaces. Hands-on projects will emphasize practical skills in applying AI to real-world design challenges, promoting efficiency and innovation in UXD workflows.
UXD 251 | FIGMA WORKSHOP | 2-2.25 quarter hours
(Undergraduate)
This course introduces students to creating interactive software prototypes through hands-on, in-depth experience with Figma. Students will explore fundamental strategies in executing the design and creation of prototypes for websites and applications in Figma. Topics and techniques introduced during presentations and demos will be reinforced through exercises and projects. Course may be repeated.
UXD 260 | USER EXPERIENCE RESEARCH AND EVALUATION | 4 quarter hours
(Undergraduate)
In this course, students will gain practical skills in core user research and evaluation methods, including expert inspections, interviews, and usability testing. Students will develop a detailed understanding of usability and user experience, and how they can be assessed. Through projects, students will practice applying the methods and communicating findings effectively and professionally.
UXD 210 is the prerequisite for this class.
UXD 270 | USER-CENTERED WEB DESIGN | 4 quarter hours
(Undergraduate)
Principles of interactive design for web pages and sites. Design patterns for information navigation. Use of HTML and CSS to produce standards and accessibility-compliant web pages. Overview of technologies supporting dynamic and interactive content.
UXD 320 | PROTOTYPING METHODS II | 4 quarter hours
(Undergraduate)
This course will deepen skills in design and prototyping by challenging students to solve real-world problems. Students will apply organizational and analytical strategies learned in UXD while developing more advanced prototyping skills with a range of tools and methods.
UXD 220 or GD 215 or GD 216 are the prerequisites for this class.
UXD 329 | ETHICS, DATA, ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE AND HUMAN CENTERED DESIGN | 4 quarter hours
(Undergraduate)
Focusing on the ethical dimensions of using AI in user experience design, this course addresses the responsibilities of designers in ensuring inclusivity, accessibility, privacy, and human-centered approaches in AI-assisted projects. Topics will cover the ethical implications of data collection and usage, the impact of AI on societal norms, and strategies for creating technology that respects user rights and dignity. Through discussion, case studies, and project work, students will explore the balance between innovative AI applications and ethical design principles, preparing them for conscientious participation in the future of UXD.
UXD 381 | QUANTITATIVE DESIGN RESEARCH METHODS | 4 quarter hours
(Undergraduate)
In this course, students are introduced to quantitative design methods used to understand users. Specifically, students will learn the role of quantitative design research in the design process and how to select the most appropriate methods to collect and analyze quantitative data about users. Methods taught include (but are not limited to) surveys, web analytics, A/B testing, card sorting, and eye tracking. Students will also learn how to effectively communicate and summarize their findings using description and basic statistics reported in formats such as design documents, presentations, reports, and visualizations.
UXD 382 | QUALITATIVE DESIGN RESEARCH METHODS | 4 quarter hours
(Undergraduate)
In this course, students are introduced to qualitative design methods used to understand users and the context of technology use. Students will understand the role of qualitative design research in the design process and learn how to select the most appropriate methods to collect and analyze qualitative data about users including (but are not limited to) contextual inquiry, interviews, secondary research, and focus groups. Students will learn methods for synthesizing qualitative data such as affinity diagramming experience mapping. User personas, scenarios, and sketches, will also be practiced to effectively communicate and summarize findings.
UXD 390 | SPECIAL TOPICS IN USER EXPERIENCE DESIGN | 4 quarter hours
(Undergraduate)
Specific topics will be selected by the instructor and may vary with each quarter.
UXD 394 | USER EXPERIENCE DESIGN CAPSTONE I | 4 quarter hours
(Undergraduate)
The User Experience Design Capstone is a 2-course sequence that engages students in design scenarios in connection with an organization, initiative, or creative project. Students work in groups to assess project needs, apply research methods, generate ideas, develop and test prototypes, and implement solutions, all from a human-centered design approach. Students must successfully complete both User Experience Design Capstone I and II in sequence to receive any credit. At the end of the User Experience Design Capstone sequence students will 1) present results to an audience, 2) create a comprehensive case study, and 3) create content relevant for a professional portfolio and/or resume based on the course project. These courses provide students with an opportunity to integrate their major area of design study with concepts introduced in their general education program while satisfying both the Experiential Learning requirement and the Capstone requirement.
UXD 395 | USER EXPERIENCE DESIGN CAPSTONE II | 4 quarter hours
(Undergraduate)
The User Experience Design Capstone is a 2-course sequence that engages students in design scenarios in connection with an organization, initiative, or creative project. Students work in groups to assess project needs, apply research methods, generate ideas, develop and test prototypes, and implement solutions, all from a human-centered design approach. Students must successfully complete both User Experience Design Capstone I and II in sequence to receive any credit. At the end of the User Experience Design Capstone sequence students will 1) present results to an audience, 2) create a comprehensive case study, and 3) create content relevant for a professional portfolio and/or resume based on the course project. These courses provide students with an opportunity to integrate their major area of design study with concepts introduced in their general education program while satisfying both the Experiential Learning requirement and the Capstone requirement.
UXD 394 is a prerequisite for this course.
UXD 399 | INDEPENDENT STUDY | 1-8 quarter hours
(Undergraduate)
Independent study supervised by an instructor. Independent study form required. Can be repeated for credit. Variable Credit. PREREQUISITE(S): None. (variable credit)