Description:

Students learn basic principles of usability as it applies to Web design, the practical knowledge and skills to design for usability, and to conduct usability testing. Emphasis is placed on strategies to work with the user to define usability needs and constraints, and to develop appropriate testing scenarios. Enforced prerequisite: DMA 165 at BC with a C- or better and DMA 213 (or concurrent enrollment) at BC with a C- or better. DMA 217 replaces MEDIA 117. Either DMA 217 or MEDIA 117 may be taken for credit, but not both.

Outcomes:

After completing this class, students should be able to:

• Discuss and explain the concepts of user-centered design for the Web.
• Describe the process that supports good user-centered design practices.
• Explain the Web development life cycle, and what role the defining of user needs plays into the development process.
• Define Web site purpose and mission, and target user population based on site analysis and user input.
• Explain the critical steps and processes in gathering and analyzing user input.
• Identify meaningful and practical aspects of user experience to be incorporated in the design.
• Apply survey and interview tools and techniques to gather requirements from the user population.
• Explain the elements of Web site architecture, organization and navigation that promote ease of use.
• Explain the principles underlying page layout, and apply these principles to make user-centered technical, design and concept decisions.
• Explain the principles and challenges of localization of Web contenet and usability.
• Explain the constraints and characteristics of different browsers impacting usability features, and adapt design to specific browsers.
• Explain the importance and the critical steps in testing for usability at different stages of the development cycle.
• Explain the importance and the critical steps of prototyping to evaluate and validate usability.
• Develop a testing procedure, analyze test results and develop recommendations for design changes based on test results.