Project 1
10-week project, Fall semester, Year 1
The aim of this project is for the students to gain experience
of the process of designing a complex product or system where
both cognitive and physiological aspects are involved. Emphasis is
this project is give to user observation, interviews, activity
studies and task analysis as methods for understanding and
representing user behavior on a human-computer interaction
level.
The first major project in the Master Programme in Interaction
Design at Umeå Institute of Design focuses on professional
users who are defined as those having expert knowledge and
experience in using a product or system.
Understanding and designing for professional users is often
characterized by demanding
circumstances. Firstly, the designer often lacks first-hand user
knowledge and experience. Secondly, professional products are
typically used in situations where issues of safety, efficiency and
productivity are dominant and can strongly influence the user
behavior. Finally, the user and the owner my be different
persons with dissimilar demands and sometimes conflicting product
requirements.
Specific methods need to be employed if the designer is to
obtain information rapidly and ensure a good understanding of
user needs. Actively involving end-users in design work is regarded
as an important feature of all projects and emphasis is placed
on user involvement in early prototype evaluation.
This project is carried out in collaboration with industrial
partners, and emphasizes integration of hardware and software
solutions in the final design of the product. Tutoring by
professional designers and experts are given at frequent
intervals throughout the project.
