Interaction Design Course

Lesson 1 • Mental Models and User Cognition

Explains how users form expectations about systems and how designers can align interfaces with those expectations. Directly informs information architecture and navigation decisions.

Lesson 2 • Defining Interaction Design

Establishes what interaction design is, how it differs from UX and UI design, and why it matters. Grounds all subsequent chapters in shared terminology.

Lesson 3 • Design Goals and Success Metrics

Teaches how to translate business and user needs into measurable design objectives. Provides a foundation for evaluating design decisions throughout the course.

Lesson 1 • Qualitative Research Methods

Teaches interviews, contextual inquiry, and observation techniques for uncovering user motivations and behaviours. Builds the empathy foundation needed for persona creation.

Lesson 2 • Synthesising Research Into Insights

Transforms raw research data into structured insights using affinity mapping, personas, and journey maps. Directly feeds the problem-definition stage of design.

Lesson 3 • Quantitative Research and Analytics

Introduces surveys, usage analytics, and behavioural data as complements to qualitative findings. Enables data-informed prioritisation of design problems.

Lesson 4 • Research Planning and Strategy

Covers how to scope a research effort, select appropriate methods, and align research questions with design goals. Sets up all subsequent research activities.

Lesson 1 • Ideation Techniques and Divergent Thinking

Introduces brainstorming, sketching, and structured ideation methods to maximise solution variety. Builds creative confidence before convergence begins.

Lesson 2 • Problem Framing and How-Might-We Questions

Teaches reframing techniques that turn research insights into generative design prompts. Prevents premature solution-jumping and broadens creative scope.

Lesson 3 • Storyboarding User Scenarios

Uses visual storytelling to communicate how a design concept fits into a user's real-world context. Bridges ideation and prototyping by grounding concepts in use cases.

Lesson 1 • Site Maps and Content Inventories

Introduces deliverables that document and communicate IA decisions to teams and stakeholders. Provides the structural blueprint used in wireframing.

Lesson 2 • Card Sorting and Tree Testing

Teaches user-driven methods for validating and refining content organisation. Connects research skills from Chapter 2 to structural design decisions.

Lesson 3 • Principles of Information Architecture

Covers organisation, labelling, navigation, and search as the four pillars of IA. Establishes the structural thinking needed before any visual design begins.

Lesson 1 • User Flow Mapping

Teaches how to diagram the paths users take through a product to complete key tasks. Identifies gaps and dead ends before high-fidelity design begins.

Lesson 2 • Wireframing Fundamentals

Defines wireframes, their purpose, and their place in the design process. Establishes conventions that keep wireframes focused on structure over aesthetics.

Lesson 3 • Building Low-Fidelity Prototypes

Connects wireframes into interactive flows to simulate user journeys without visual polish. Enables early usability testing before high-fidelity investment.

Lesson 4 • Layout and Visual Hierarchy in Wireframes

Applies grid systems, spacing, and hierarchy principles to wireframe layouts. Ensures structural decisions support user scanning and task completion.

Lesson 1 • Designing Micro-Interactions

Breaks down micro-interactions into triggers, rules, feedback, and loops. Shows how small details build trust, delight, and usability in digital products.

Lesson 2 • Error States and Edge Case Design

Teaches how to design for failure, empty states, and unexpected user behaviour. Ensures products remain usable and trustworthy under non-ideal conditions.

Lesson 3 • Motion and Animation in Interaction

Covers purposeful use of animation to communicate state changes, hierarchy, and causality. Distinguishes functional motion from decorative motion.

Lesson 4 • UI Design Patterns Overview

Introduces the concept of design patterns as proven solutions to recurring interface problems. Builds a shared vocabulary for discussing and selecting interaction solutions.

Lesson 1 • Analysing and Prioritising Findings

Transforms raw test observations into prioritised usability issues using severity ratings. Connects findings directly to design iteration decisions.

Lesson 2 • Facilitating and Observing Tests

Teaches facilitation techniques that keep sessions neutral and productive. Builds observation skills for capturing meaningful behavioural data.

Lesson 3 • Iterating Designs Based on Test Results

Guides the process of translating usability findings into targeted design improvements. Closes the design loop and prepares students for high-fidelity work.

Lesson 4 • Planning and Scripting a Usability Test

Covers test plan creation, task scenario writing, and participant recruitment. Ensures tests yield actionable, unbiased data.

Lesson 1 • Design Handoff and Developer Collaboration

Prepares students to deliver designs to engineering teams with complete specifications. Reduces implementation errors and strengthens cross-functional relationships.

Lesson 2 • Visual Design Principles for IxD

Applies colour, typography, and spacing principles specifically in service of interaction clarity. Bridges visual design fundamentals with interaction design outcomes.

Lesson 3 • High-Fidelity Prototyping

Builds interactive, visually complete prototypes that simulate the final product experience. Enables realistic usability testing and stakeholder sign-off.

Lesson 4 • Building and Using Component Libraries

Teaches how to create reusable UI components that enforce consistency and speed up design. Introduces the concept of a single source of truth for design teams.