Section 3

Unit Title Design for Interactive Media

Unit Code ACT104
Programme BA (Hons) Design for Interaction
Credits 15 Level 1 Unit Status Mandatory

Contact Time 40 Access to Resources 40 Independent Study 70

This unit introduces students to the media platforms which they are
likely to encounter as interaction designers (i.e. currently interactive
television, DVD, CD-ROM, the web and mobile telephones).

Increasingly, information and content is re-purposed across a range

of media. The unit looks at the design issues associated with the
translation of content from one platform to another.

It will introduce students to specific interface design issues and

technical constrains of the various platforms covered in this module.
Introduction
It will also require students to appropriately design and translate a
user interaction experience across these platforms.

The unit emphasises the skills associated with working in teams.

Team work is particularly important in the design industry and
students will invariably find themselves working with other people
who possess knowledge and/or expertise in areas that they do not.

Students on this unit may work closely with students from related
Broadcasting courses.

Topics covered in this unit may include:

Indicative • Media platforms and the technologies which underpin them;

Curriculum • The design and navigation issues relating to translation to
Outline various media (e.g. DVD, CD-ROM, web and interactive TV);
• Strengths and limitations of platforms;
• Production processes relating to different platforms.

Faculty of Design Definitive Document: 21 July 2006

 Section 3

In order to pass this Level 1 unit, students must show that the
following learning outcomes have been achieved:

Knowledge and Understanding

1. Appreciate media technologies utilised in the delivery of linear

and non-linear content and their strengths and limitations;
(LO1)
2. A knowledge of the differing techniques required for the
creation of content within these delivery modes; (LO2)
Unit Learning 3. An understanding of the roles other specialisms play in the
Outcomes overall production process for cross platform media content
and delivery. (LO3)

Skills

4. The ability to plan and manage an interactive design project;

(LO4)
5. Collaborate in groups and produce content suitable for use on
a number of platforms; (LO5)
6. The ability to communicate the requirements of their
specialism to collaborators in the production of content. (LO6)

This unit will make use of the following:

• Lectures, which will include consideration of digital delivery

Teaching and
systems and associated needs;
Learning
• Workshops, which will include practical introductions to the
Strategies
technologies;
• Seminar, critique and feedback;
• Self directed learning.

Faculty of Design Definitive Document: 21 July 2006

 Section 3

Formative Assessment
This will include:

• Critiques and feedback on concepts and research.

Summative Assessment
This will include:

Assessable • A Group Project involving the creation and repurposing of

Elements content across a number of specified platforms;
• Individual Project Journal.

Each assessed element will contribute to the final grade, in the

proportions shown in the following table:

Assessable Elements Percentage of Final Grade

Group Project 80%
Individual Project Journal 20%

Students will be assessed on the group project and groups will be

assessed on the degree to which:

Group Project
• They have creatively utilised the potential of the interactive
content delivery technologies in the final deliverables; (LO1)
• They understand the methods and processes involved in the
creation and delivery of content across a number of media, as
Assessment evidenced by required deliverables; (LO2)
Criteria • The effectiveness of the content delivery and access
interfaces across a number of specified platforms. (LO3)

Individual Project Journal

• Evidence of project planning and management in relation to
the individual contribution’s and reflection upon the overall
project management; (LO4)
• Evidence of effective collaboration across the duration of the
project. (LO5, LO6)

Faculty of Design Definitive Document: 21 July 2006

 Section 3

Unit Relevant Books

Pagani, Margherita. (2003) Multimedia and interactive digital TV:

Managing the opportunities created by digital convergence, IRM
Press.

Srivastava, Hari Om. Artech. (2002) House Interactive TV

technology and markets, Artech House.

Bulterman, Dick and Rytledge, Lloyd. (2004) SMIL 2.0: Interactive

Multimedia for web and mobile devices, Springer-Verlag.

Negroponte, N. (1995) Being Digital, MIT.

Indicative
Reading List
Oliver, R. (2000) Understanding Hypermedia, Phaidon.

Unit Relevant Trade Journals

Broadcast

New Media Age Computer Arts

Screen writer

Viewfinder

American Cinematographer

Faculty of Design Definitive Document: 21 July 2006