User Experience for the Web

Learn to create great experiences for people visiting websites, with proven tools and techniques.

The discipline of user experience examines how we interact with the products and systems that surround us; everything from our kitchen appliances to smart phones. This subject provides an overview of the general principles of user experience for the online world. You will learn about tools and techniques you can use to begin to create great user experiences. It will address the design of websites and customer interactions for the online world.

User experience also involves balancing the needs of users with the business objectives, and resolving any conflicts between the two. Learn why it is so important to learn about your users, and be introduced to some useful tools to help do this, such as user profiling and personas. Students will also learn about the design process itself, and how user-centred design fits with traditional software development cycles.

What will I learn?

The characteristics of user experience design, usability, and user centred design
The factors that influence interface design, and how to balance these requirements
The design streams that impact interface design, and design techniques from each stream:
- Information Design
- Interaction Design
- Visual Design
How branding is an important part of user experience
The importance of accessibility online
The importance of knowing your users and:
- What you need to know
- How to learn about them
- How to communicate your findings
Key usability evaluation techniques, including:
- Walkthroughs
- Usability testing
- Expert review
- Competitor analysis

This subject requires approximately 2 – 4 hours of study per week, but can vary depending on the student. This includes watching videos, and taking quizzes and assessments.