SI 582 Intro to Interaction Design

Overview

This course offers a hands-on, graduate-level introduction to interaction design. Students learn how to define design problems, create thoughtful interaction patterns, critique and revise digital interfaces, and communicate design ideas clearly across levels of fidelity.

The course balances tool mastery with critical thinking and professional presentation. Weekly assignments support skill-building, while a semester-long team project culminates in a high-fidelity prototype suitable for inclusion in a UX portfolio.

📎 Full syllabus available on Canvas

“Beyond Interaction Design, I would say the course helped me grow as a user–centered designer and I feel grateful for it.”
- Fall '24 student

What to Expect in This Class

🛠 Tool Experience That Transfers
The course begins with tutorials in Figma and Axure, two widely used professional tools. You’ll compare their strengths, build confidence using both, and learn how to choose the best tool for a given task—an essential mindset for adapting to evolving industry environments.

“Everyone was super helpful and really helped us push our skills on Figma and Axure to think like designers.” - F24 student

📊 Modern Usability Testing
This section emphasizes interactive usability testing over paper prototyping. You’ll design digital prototypes, run unmoderated usability studies, and iterate based on feedback—applying real-world validation techniques from early in the semester.

“I loved the class's structure – the weekly readings taught me about the subject matter, while the design exercises and assignments allowed me to practice the learning.” - F24 student

🎯 Research-Backed Critique & Communication
You’ll learn to justify your design decisions using heuristics, usability principles, and user needs—moving beyond surface-level feedback. Peer critique is structured, respectful, and focused on preparing you for real-world design reviews.

“This approach, which I hadn't encountered in other classes, gave me real–world experience in receiving and giving constructive criticism.” - F24 student

📁 Organized Course Flow with Clear Pacing
Course materials are clearly laid out in Canvas, with weekly updates, time estimates for readings, and transparent expectations. Early weeks focus on tools and individual skill-building; later weeks support your major group design project.

“I liked that assignments were laid out on Canvas (often with time expected for completion) as well as explained during class––expectations were always very clear.” - F24 student

Student Learning Goals

After completing this course, students will be able to:

• Follow a systematic design process from problem framing to final prototype

• Create effective, user-centered interaction designs based on core UX principles

• Conduct peer critique and revise work in response to feedback

• Communicate designs at different levels of refinement (e.g., sketches, wireframes, flows, specs)

• Address equity, and ethical factors in designs

“I loved how Stephanie brought in industry stories and experience to explain how interactive design group work are practiced. That is really helpful to learn about and put in context to.” - F24 Student

Grading Breakdown

• Team Design Project – 70%
  Includes proposal, weekly deliverables, final prototype, and presentation

• Tool Tutorials + Reading Reflections – 15%
  Structured activities to help you learn software and analyze design texts

• Participation & In-Class Critiques – 15%
  Based on contributions to discussions, workshops, and team collaboration
  
  “I liked the project aspect. It flowed very well. It was super organized and gave me a great portfolio piece.”  - F24 Student
  
  

Additional Student Feedback

“This was the only class where I felt comfortable attending office hours regularly, which speaks volumes about the sense of trust and openness she cultivated.”

“I didn’t just learn how to make things look good—I learned how to test ideas, explain my thinking, and choose the right tools.”

“Stephanie applied the same design principles she taught in class—structuring materials clearly, pacing assignments thoughtfully, and making expectations easy to understand.”

Before Class Begins

Required Tool Setup:
Please register for these free student licenses before the first week:

• Figma for Education

• Axure RP (TEAMS version)
  Approval may take 4–5 days

💻 Laptop Requirements:
If your device cannot support these tools, consider using browser-based versions (see Canvas instructions) or requesting a loaner laptop through the university.

“I enjoyed the lecture sessions and in–class working sessions. Honestly, I think I was the most productive with projects in–class rather than out of class.”