2022/23 Taught Postgraduate Module Catalogue

DESN5181M Designing for Immersion & Engagement

40 creditsClass Size: 50

Module manager: Hosam Al-Samarraie
Email: H.Al-Samarraie@leeds.ac.uk

Taught: Semesters 1 & 2 (Sep to Jun) View Timetable

Year running 2022/23

This module is not approved as an Elective

Module summary

This module addresses questions around what the increased deployment of technologies such as VR AR & AI will mean for the area of design. We will interrogate the nature of the discipline of design, in order that students will be able to critically and creatively address the impact of these new technologies. How could VR AR & AI enhance our creative processes and what new opportunities for applications could they bring? Fundamentally, what will VR, AR & AI mean for the people whose needs our designs set out to address and how can they be used to better help us meet those needs? Students will be introduced to the variety of ways VR, AR & AI are being used creatively in design through the examination of case studies and talks from practitioners in the various areas. In addition, in order that the students are able to fully meet the needs of users, training in the Human Centred Design (HCD) approach will be given. By understanding the core principles of HCD and by gaining hands-on experience, students will be able to engage confidently with target audiences and, through empathic understanding, deliver project goals. Lastly the fundamentals of entrepreneurial and service thinking will be taught, enabling students to discover opportunities for innovation and giving them the skills and strategies to bring these ideas to fruition.

Objectives

This module gives students the opportunity to learn theoretical and practical perspectives regarding Human Centred Design (HCD), and immersive design, as well as understanding differences between modalities of immersive technologies (AR, VR, MR, etc.). Students will also gain an understanding of entrepreneurial & service thinking in the context of digital, interactive, and immersive design. Students will explore the applications of these in a variety of settings from healthcare, education, business & science, to civic engagement & governance etc. Finally, students will address the specific needs and motivations of users by developing creative, engaging and effective design solutions.

Learning outcomes
On completion of this module, students will have provided evidence of being able to:
1. Analyse and interpret current challenges, theories and principles of Immersive Design, Human Centred Design (HCD), entrepreneurial and service thinking in order to define a problem or need.
2. Access and critically analyse literature, and plan appropriate research methods for the successful development of a design project.
3. Design and develop effective, engaging and stimulating design solutions in response to a specific brief, problem and need.
4. Contribute to the implementation and execution of a project to a professional standard.
5. Present research findings and design ideas in a coherent and visually stimulating manner.

Syllabus

This module will deliver a combination of lectures and practical sessions. Lectures will engage students with the theory, research and professional approaches to Immersive Design, Human-Centred Design (HCD), Extended Reality (including AR, and VR) and Entreprenurial & Service thinking. The lecture content will be built around (and inform) each stage of the research and design process. Practicals will give students the opportunity to put their knowledge and theory into practice by planning, designing, developing and evaluating their creative project, as well as their research.

Teaching methods

Delivery type	Number	Length hours	Student hours
Workshop	20	3.00	60.00
Lectures	11	1.00	11.00
Independent online learning hours			80.00
Private study hours			249.00
Total Contact hours			71.00
Total hours (100hr per 10 credits)			400.00

Private study

Independent online learning

Each lecture and practical class is supported by material that is available on the Minerva. This material provides links to appropriate journal papers, books, videos and websites. Digital copies of the lectures will be also available on the Minerva so that students can follow up in a systematic and structured manner.
· Reviewing supplied material online (papers, books, videos & websites): 80 hours

Private Study

To gain confidence to develop and articulate their own ideas, students will engage in private study.
· Literature search and reading: 70 hours
· Independent research and preparation: 70 hours
· Preparation and evaluation of assessed outcomes: 109 hours

Opportunities for Formative Feedback

Student progress will be monitored through:
· Regular attendance at lectures and practical classes (absences dealt with through the normal School channels).
· Participation in lectures and workshops classes.
· Feedback will be given in all workshops · Feedback from Project Proposal

Methods of assessment

Coursework

Assessment type	Notes	% of formal assessment
Research Proposal	Project proposal (4,000-4,500 words) including literature review, contextual background, ethical review and Gantt Chart)	40.00
Portfolio	Portfolio comprising design outputs developed to a professional level.	60.00
Total percentage (Assessment Coursework)		100.00

Normally resits will be assessed by the same methodology as the first attempt, unless otherwise stated

Reading list

The reading list is available from the Library website

Last updated: 28/06/2022

Disclaimer

Browse Other Catalogues

• Undergraduate module catalogue
• Taught Postgraduate module catalogue
• Undergraduate programme catalogue
• Taught Postgraduate programme catalogue

Errors, omissions, failed links etc should be notified to the Catalogue Team.PROD