This interdisciplinary, team-taught course (cross-listed in Computer Science, Graphic Design, and Journalism) focuses on the strategic design and development of mobile applications. A series of group projects will promote collaborative learning by integrating individuals with diverse but complementary skill sets, mirroring a professional workplace environment. You have the opportunity to become well versed in the design of media for mobile devices by developing sketches, wire-frames, user- flows, design briefs, and visual assets based on project goals. Projects will explore working within and contributing to existing identity guidelines as well as developing original approaches for the creation of usable project assets. You will also hone your communication skills, critical thinking skills, and problem-solving skills in the process.
App Design focuses on the developing an understanding of user interface and user experience (UI/UX) design principles. You will learn how to design functional interfaces that respond to (accessibility), and support human interaction (usability).
Conceptually, this course will enable you to:
- Use research to identify audience needs & determine scope of design context
- Analyze information in order to determine effective methods for development
- (Overall goal, structure, appearance & interface of mobile applications)
- Strategically create content for the user & client taking needs of both into consideration
- Evaluate the effectiveness of methods and approaches
- Analyze a designed object's context & develop appropriate and effective form
- Use systems, composition, type, image, motion, gesture & sound to create & support content
- Refine compositional skills through cycles of iteration, critique & editing
- Develop an understanding of the mobile technology
- Learn the fundamentals of user experience design
- (Information architecture, interaction, accessibility & usability)
- Implement apps utilizing multiple interrelated development strategies
- (Work-flow mapping, wire-framing, graphic mock-ups & prototyping)
- Explore techniques for presentations and develop a range of prototyping skills
- Learn common business practices and product launch promotional tactics
- Communicate effectively with an interdisciplinary team
- Contribute effectively within an interdisciplinary team
