Study-Unit Description

Study-Unit Description


CODE MGT3209

 
TITLE Interface Design for Business

 
UM LEVEL 03 - Years 2, 3, 4 in Modular Undergraduate Course

 
MQF LEVEL 6

 
ECTS CREDITS 4

 
DEPARTMENT Business and Enterprise Management

 
DESCRIPTION This study-unit is concerned with designing fit-for-purpose, usable and accessible Web interfaces for business firms. Having a responsive and efficient user interface allows businesses to connect to customers in the digital world.

The student will learn how to analyze usability and adhere to accessibility design principles so that a broader range of the customer population will interact with Web interfaces. They will learn about different methods for usability testing and how to apply them. The student will appreciate that investing in diversity and inclusion will help increase commercial benefits, and in turn open up new business markets.

The areas covered in this study-unit include value-benefit analysis of accessible Web interfaces, accessibility standards and guidelines, usability principles, design frameworks, prototyping techniques, evaluation techniques, codes of practice, and ethical issues.

Case studies will enable the student to critically assess interface methodologies in a wide range of contexts.

Study-unit Aims:

- To articulate the business benefits of accessible and usable Web interfaces.
- To provide students with the knowledge and application of good design principles and practices for Web interfaces.
- To present critical appraisal frameworks for interface designs with regards to usability, accessibility and fitness for business purpose.

Learning Outcomes:

1. Knowledge & Understanding:

By the end of the study-unit the student will be able to:
- Establish sound business reasons to incorporate usable design in Web interfaces.
- Recognize the obstacles people may face as they interact with Web interfaces.
- Understand how user abilities can impact Web interface design.

2. Skills:

By the end of the study-unit the student will be able to:
- Interpret the principles, guidelines and success criteria of usability and accessibility.
- Demonstrate how to balance usability, aesthetics and accessibility in business Web designs.
- Perform analytical evaluation of interface accessibility.

Main Text/s and any supplementary readings:

Main Text:

- Horton, S. (2013) Access by Design: A Guide to Universal Usability for Web Designers. Pearson, USA.

Supplementary Readings:

- Horton, S.; Quesenbery, W. (2013) A Web for Everyone: Designing Accessible User Experiences. Rosenfeld Media, Brooklyn, NY.
- Zeldman, J. (2009) Designing with Web Standards. Pearson, USA.
- Waters, J. (2004) The Real Business of Web Design. Allworth Press, NY.

 
STUDY-UNIT TYPE Lecture

 
METHOD OF ASSESSMENT
Assessment Component/s Assessment Due Sept. Asst Session Weighting
Classwork SEM1 No 40%
Project SEM1 Yes 60%

 
LECTURER/S Marie Jose Zammit

 

 
The University makes every effort to ensure that the published Courses Plans, Programmes of Study and Study-Unit information are complete and up-to-date at the time of publication. The University reserves the right to make changes in case errors are detected after publication.
The availability of optional units may be subject to timetabling constraints.
Units not attracting a sufficient number of registrations may be withdrawn without notice.
It should be noted that all the information in the description above applies to study-units available during the academic year 2023/4. It may be subject to change in subsequent years.

https://www.um.edu.mt/course/studyunit