81917 - Interaction Multimedia Services

Learning outcomes

The module aims to provide a common background on the requirements of the new participatory services, starting from an analysis of the main features of enabling technologies. It intends to experiment in a new and creative way enabling technologies and services through an open and living lab approach, encouraging participation and increasing the design capacity and working with new technologies. Students acquire skills on the topics of

• architecture of Web systems: servant customer models, execution models, protocols and Web environments, Web technologies, execution of components for fixed and mobile systems;
• design of components for the supplying of services in fixed and mobile heterogeneous environments;
  
• usage patterns of services and technological support, integration of services in ecosystems oriented to the end user.

Course contents

Module 1

A - Computer Science Fundamentals

1. An introduction to computer science
   
2. Virtualization and cloud computing
3. Algorithms and programming languages
4. intellectual property
5. Privacy law

B - Programming

1. Variables
2. Instruction set
3. Functions
4. Event Driven
   

C - Web & more

1. Web basics
2. HTML programming
3. Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning

D -Cyber security

1. Introduction
2. Who is the enemy?
3. Social engineering
4. Password management
5. Data backup
6. Application security (web and mobile)
7. Privacy and online rights
   

Theoretical lessons will be completed by a strong lab part with numerous exercises and examples of hands-on programming in order to provide students with the ability to design and analyze simple algorithms using many examples and material from code.org .

Module 2

Module Title: Design Process and User Research Methodologies
Duration: 5 lessons (2 sessions per lesson, 3 hours each)
Module Objective: Design a service concept based on user-centered research methodologies and design processes, culminating in strategic and operational deliverables useful for prototype development.

Lesson 1: Introduction to User-Centered Design and Design Thinking Workshop

Objectives:
• Understand key design methodologies and their role in the product development process.
• Apply the complete Design Thinking process in a practical workshop.

Contents:
1. PART ONE
• Introduction to User-Centered Design (UCD).
• From HCI (Human-Computer Interaction) to UX (User Experience).
• Overview of design frameworks (e.g., Double Diamond).
• User Research methods.
2. PART TWO
• Full Design Thinking workshop: Empathize, Define, Ideate, Prototype, Test.

Deliverable: None.
Activities: Participation in the Design Thinking workshop.

Lesson 2: Problem Exploration and Current Context Creation

Objectives:
• Apply the Double Diamond framework to identify key problems and formulate a Design Challenge.
• Create deliverables representing the current context and problem.

Contents:
1. PART ONE
• Introduction to the first diamond of the Double Diamond (Discover and Define).
• Qualitative research techniques:
• Semi-structured interviews.
• Contextual Inquiry.
• User Observation.
• Creation of a User Research Plan.
2. PART TWO
• Synthesis of collected information:
• Proto Personas / Personas.
• Experience Map (representation of the current context).

Deliverables:
• Proto Personas / Personas.
• Experience Map.

Activities:
• Conducting field research activities.
• Collaborative creation of Personas and Experience Maps.

Lesson 3: Synthesizing Results and Concept Ideation

Objectives:
• Analyze and synthesize research findings.
• Define key insights and transform them into design opportunities.

Contents:
1. PART ONE
• Research findings synthesis (Empathy Mapping, POV, HMW).
• Problem definition techniques:
• Why-How Laddering.
2. PART TWO
• Creative ideation methods:
• Guided brainstorming.
• SCAMPER.
• Introduction to Concept Design (linking insights to project ideas).

Deliverables:
• Defined Design Challenge.
• Preliminary Concept Idea.

Activities:
• Collaborative activities to generate design ideas.

Lesson 4: Service Visualization and Modeling (Second Diamond)

Objectives:
• Apply visualization tools to design the service.
• Use the second diamond of the Double Diamond (Develop and Deliver).

Contents:
1. PART ONE
• Creation of visual deliverables:
• User Journey Map (contextualized with Personas and Experience Maps).
• Ecosystem Map.
• Introduction to the Service Blueprint (structure and usage).
2. PART TWO
• Preparation of prototype specifications.

Deliverables:
• User Journey Map.
• Ecosystem Map.
• Service Blueprint.

Activities:
• Collaborative creation of maps and the blueprint.

Lesson 5: Concept Testing and Iteration

Objectives:
• Introduce quantitative research methodologies.
• Design a usability test to gather feedback on the service concept.

Contents:
1. PART ONE
• Quantitative research methodologies:
• Survey design.
• Statistical data analysis.
• Usability Testing: principles and frameworks.
2. PART TWO
• Workshop: Designing and conducting a usability test on the concept.
• Iterating the concept based on test results.

Deliverable: Improved concept based on test findings.
Activities: Conduct usability tests and refine the concept.

 

Readings/Bibliography

Module 1

Theory

• Course slides in electronic format.
  

Lab

• code.org
• App Lab [https://code.org/educate/applab] @ code.org

Module 2

UX Methods: A Quick Guide to User Experience Research Methods
James Pannafino & Patrick McNeil, 2017.

Teaching methods

Frontal lectures of the teacher.

Didactic labs and development of small projects with a technology hands-on approach.

Assessment methods

Module 1

Group project presentation to all teachers.
For the IT part, a prototype of the project will be presented either in the form of an app or a website.
During the course there will be an individual assessment that will influence the final grade.

Module 2

Assessment will be based on the practical service development activities (deliverables produced during the course) and the theoretical knowledge of the reference text’s content.

 

Teaching tools

Classroom teaching: slides shown during the lectures.
Lab with guided exercises.

Office hours

See the website of Massimo Carnevali

See the website of Federica Protti