New technologies make possible the design of graphic user interfaces for diverse computerized display devices. This unit deals with design issues for interfacing with a wide range of devices, ranging from desktop computer display units, to small display devices such as handhelds, and interfaces such as home entertainment systems, vehicle interfaces, and many more. The focus is particularly on graphic interfaces, which is a sub-section of the more general discipline of Human Computer Interaction. Some themes that will be addressed are: how graphics are rendered, device constraints, navigating through hyper space, design guidelines, trends in and the future of GUI.

2005: Existing unit CSE3030 GUI Technology being updated to fit into the new BITS degree structure with new FIT unit code.

FIT3058 Interactive systems development in Visual Studio.net is an elective 3rd level unit in the Caulfied BITS major in Systems Development.

There is some similarity to other units related to Human-Computer Interaction, but this unit combines theory with a requirement to demonstrate understanding of the theory by implementing and testing a graphical user interface.

Students undertaking a Systems Development major need skills in designing, implementing and testing good graphical user interfaces, as most applications require this.

At the completion of this unit, students will:

• Understand current design issues in the design of graphic interfaces as a sub-discipline of the more general discipline of Human Computer Interaction.
• Understand the concepts of usability and interaction and how these influence the process of designing and testing interfaces.
• Understand how GUI design issues apply to a range of interfaces including desktop computer displays, handheld computers, cellphones, control systems and appliances.
• Understand the human physiological and cognitive processes involved in interacting with such devices.
• Understand the technical constraints in GUI design including how graphics are rendered and the display and navigation facilities of different devices.
• Be aware of current industry standards relating to interfaces and the discourse around the value of such standards.
• Be aware of some of the current research issues and future trends around graphical user interfaces.

At the completion of this unit, students will:

• Believe that technology serves the users of technology and not vice versa.
• Believe that it is the responsibility of the system developer to ensure that technology is adapted to the needs of the user.

At the completion of this unit, students will be able to:

• Design a GUI applying the design principles learned.
• Build a GUI using some known technology.
• Test a GUI by observing users interacting with the interface and use the outcomes of the test to improve the interface.

At the completion of this unit, students will have:

• Developed the listening and observation skills needed to evaluate the ways in which users interact with technology.
• Be able to work as part of a design team, having to present and argue for a design idea and successfully negotiate a solution that takes into account different design ideas.

ASCED Discipline Group classification: 029999 Human-computer interaction

The development of modern systems for the Windows world using Visual Studio.net. Windows concepts; Event driven programming concepts; Windows components and conventions; The Microsoft .NET environment; Introduction to either Visual Basic (VB)or C# in the Visual Studio development environment; Principles of GUI system development; Designing interaction versus designing interfaces; Scenario based design; Important psychological aspects of computer system use; Human perception and memory and their importance in system design; Objects in the GUI environment (including list and combo boxes, text boxes, picture boxes, command buttons etc..), their uses and programming requirements; Multiple Document Interface (MDI) and Single Document Interface (SDI) systems; Graphics, mouse and drag-and-drop handling; Menus, tool bars, status bars, tooltips, pop-up menus and other interactive techniques; File handling and the interfaces to databases; Multimedia data and its use in contemporary systems; Creating Windows help systems.

The development of modern systems for the Windows world using Visual Studio.net. Windows concepts; Event driven programming concepts; Windows components and conventions; The Microsoft .NET environment; Introduction to Visual Basic (VB) or C# in the Visual Studio.net environment; Principles of GUI system development; Designing interaction versus designing interfaces; Scenario based design; Important psychological aspects of computer system use; Human perception and memory and their importance in system design.

• Alan Cooper and Robert Reimann (2003) About Face 2.0: The Essentials of Interaction Design, 2nd ed. John Wiley.
• Donald Norman (1989) The Design of Everyday Things, MIT Press.

On campus

One 2 hour lecture and one 2 hour laboratory per week.

Knowledge and understanding objectives are achieved mainly through lectures and tutorial exercises.

Attitudes and beliefs objectives are achieved mainly through laboratory exercises and assignment work.

Practical skills objectives are achieved mainly through laboratory exercises and assignment work.

Relationships, communication and team work objectives are achieved mainly through laboratory exercises and assignment work.

Examination 2 hours 50%. Practical work 50%.

Knowledge and understanding objectives are assessed mainly through the examination.

Attitudes, values and belief objectives are assessed mainly through the examination and practical work.

Practical skills objectives are assessed mainly through practical work.

Relationships, communication and team work objectives are assessed mainly through practical work.

Students are expected to spend an average of 12 hours per week working on this unit. This includes 4 hours of attendance at the lecture and laboratory, the rest consisting of reading and working on the assignment.

One high-tech lecture theatre for 2 hours per week.

Higher-end Windows XP machines with the current versions of Visual Studio and HTML Help Workshop.

One lecturer per semester. One tutor per laboratory session per semester.

Current version of Microsoft Visual Studio with complete Help (MSDN) system. Current version of Microsoft HTML Help Workshop. Current version of Microsoft Access.

Adequate copies of at least the recommended texts listed above.

FIT

Nil

Nil

Nil

Nil

FIT1007 or CSE1203 or CSE1303 or BUS1042 or MMS1803 or CPE1004 or IMS1906 or equivalent, plus at least 18 points of any second or third year units in any discipline area.