User-Centered Design
This course introduces the theoretical and practical foundations of human-computer interaction and user-centered design, including user research, prototyping, and evaluation.
Instructor: Dipto Das
Term: Spring
Location: Lucile Berkeley Buchanan Building 341
Time: Wednesdays, 3:35–6:05 PM
Course Overview
This course explores the foundations of user-centered design and human-computer interaction. Students will:
- Understand how human, social, and technical factors shape design
- Learn user research methods and data analysis techniques
- Design, prototype, and evaluate interactive systems
- Engage with critical perspectives on design, power, and ethics
- Develop a semester-long project applying UCD principles
Prerequisites
- No formal prerequisites
- Interest in design, technology, or human-centered computing
Textbooks
- Readings provided weekly (research papers, book chapters, essays)
Grading
- Participation: 20%
- Reading Reflections: 40%
- Course Project: 40%
Schedule
| Week | Date | Topic | Materials |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Introduction to User-Centered Design Overview of course structure, expectations, and key concepts in HCI and UCD. | ||
| 2 | Human-Centered Design Foundations Core principles of human-centered design and design thinking. | ||
| 3 | Cognition and Context Understanding human cognition and contextual factors in design. | ||
| 4 | Design Paradigms Overview of design approaches including participatory and reflective design. | ||
| 5 | User Research Methods I Introduction to interviews, observation, and survey methods. | ||
| 6 | User Research Planning Developing research plans and preparing study materials. | ||
| 7 | User Research Methods II Ethnography and qualitative approaches to studying users. | ||
| 8 | Analysis and Prototyping Analyzing user data and developing early prototypes. | ||
| 9 | Evaluation I Usability testing and evaluation methods. | ||
| 10 | Evaluation II Advanced evaluation techniques and interpreting results. | ||
| 11 | Spring Break No class. | ||
| 12 | Power and Politics in Design Examining how design is shaped by power, values, and social context. | ||
| 13 | Critical Design Perspectives When not to design and critical reflections on design practice. | ||
| 14 | Frontiers in HCI Emerging topics in HCI including ubiquitous computing and new interfaces. | ||
| 15 | Project Work In-class work on final project and feedback sessions. | ||
| 16 | Project Showcase Final presentations and discussion. |