Application
This unit describes the skills and knowledge required to design user interfaces for interactive media products such as web environments, games or e-learning resources.
It applies to individuals who apply visual communication skills and work collaboratively in a team environment to develop final specifications for user interface designs.
No licensing, legislative or certification requirements apply to this unit at the time of publication.
Elements and Performance Criteria
ELEMENT | PERFORMANCE CRITERIA |
Elements describe the essential outcomes. | Performance criteria describe the performance needed to demonstrate achievement of the element. |
1. Identify project requirements | 1.1 Discuss concept with relevant personnel to clarify design briefs 1.2 Confirm technical parameters of interactive media products, including delivery platform 1.3 Identify target audience and user characteristics 1.4 Assess information architecture specifications |
2. Produce design specifications | 2.1 Visualise concepts and develop preliminary sketches based on content architecture and audience characteristics 2.2 Use visual design principles to sketch screen layouts showing main spatial zones 2.3 Specify functional areas within screen layouts 2.4 Specify metaphors if required, and look and feel of user interfaces 2.5 Develop final detailed sketches taking into consideration all ideas generated 2.6 Review interfaces with relevant personnel and modify design if required to meet requirements of brief 2.7 Write user interface design specifications and instructions for development teams to use 2.8 Adopt safe ergonomic practices when using screen and keyboards for extended periods of time |
3. Test and finalise user interface designs | 3.1 Develop prototype of user interface 3.2 Plan and implement testing of interface design with sample users 3.3 Evaluate results of testing and adjust information architecture in design specifications if required 3.4 Obtain final agreement on finished designs from relevant personnel |
Evidence of Performance
Evidence of the ability to:
develop sketches for user interfaces that consider:
visual design principles
target audience characteristics
content architecture specifications
produce user interface design specifications for an interactive media product that:
respond to the design brief
meet technical and creative parameters
are in appropriate format
include instructions for development teams
develop a prototype user interface design
plan and conduct testing of prototype and analyse findings for incorporation into designs
review ideas and design specifications with relevant personnel.
Note: If a specific volume or frequency is not stated, then evidence must be provided at least once.
Evidence of Knowledge
To complete the unit requirements safely and effectively, the individual must:
describe user characteristics considered in design and development of interfaces
explain spatial and functional areas of screen layout
explain steps in testing a prototype design
describe what is included in information architecture and design specifications
list typical formats and techniques for documenting user interface designs
identify basic health and safety requirements when working on computers and keyboards.
Assessment Conditions
Assessment must be conducted in a safe environment where evidence gathered demonstrates consistent performance of typical activities experienced in creative arts industry environments. The assessment environment must include access to:
briefs on which to base user interface designs
sample users.
Assessors of this unit must satisfy the requirements for assessors in applicable vocational educational and training legislation, frameworks and/or standards.
Foundation Skills
This section describes language, literacy, numeracy and employment skills incorporated in the performance criteria that are required for competent performance.
Skill | Performance Criteria | Description |
Reading | 1.1, 1.2, 1.3, 1.4 | Interprets and analyses technical and descriptive information in project documents |
Writing | 2.1-2.5, 2.7, 3.2 | Uses specific technical, diagrammatic and visual textual language appropriate to audience and environment to prepare detailed project related documentation Writes test documents to collect appropriate information |
Oral Communication | 1.1, 2.6, 3.2, 3.4 | Uses careful listening and questioning techniques to confirm and clarify design, technical and user information and clear, direct language to obtain agreement from others |
Navigate the world of work | 2.8 | Follows work health and safety requirements |
Interact with others | 1.1, 2.6, 2.7, 3.2, 3.4 | Uses appropriate communication practices and protocols to discuss and present design concepts to a range of people |
Get the work done | 1.1-1.4, 2.1, 2.5, 3.2-3.4 | Plans, organises and implements tasks required to finalise design ideas Interprets and translates project criteria into a range of creative possibilities Analyses and evaluates information to make decisions about design architecture and navigation specifications |
Sectors
Visual Communication – Digital Content and Imaging