Interaction Design: The Big Picture from Pluralsight

Interaction design can be the “secret ingredient” for making an engaging and delightful app or website. Using many examples, this course will give you an overview of interaction design and how it fits into the world of user experience..

Good software seems to have a “secret ingredient” for making users happy—something about it that keeps users engaged and delighted. In this course, Interaction Design: The Big Picture, you’ll learn to cut through all the theory and overlap between interaction design and other UX disciplines. First, you’ll explore the five dimensions of interaction design, working through several examples. Next, you’ll discover the role that psychology and the brain play in interaction design and UX in general. Finally, you’ll learn common tools and methods used by interaction designers in their day-to-day work.

When you’re finished with this course, you’ll have the skills and knowledge needed to get started with interaction design, using a variety of principles to design software that users will enjoy interacting with.

What's inside

Syllabus

Course Overview

What Exactly Is Interaction Design?

The Five Dimensions of Interaction Design

It’s All in Your Head: The Psychology of UX

Designing Interactions for How the Brain Works

Common Strategies and Techniques Used in Interaction Design

Course Summary and Next Steps

Good to know

Know what's good

, what to watch for

, and possible dealbreakers

Teaches the five dimensions of interaction design, which is standard in user experience design and beyond

Discusses the role of psychology and the brain in interaction design, crucial in understanding user behavior

Covers common strategies and techniques in interaction design, providing practical knowledge and tools

Develops foundational knowledge and skills necessary for understanding and designing interactive experiences

For learners with an interest in user experience or interaction design looking to expand their knowledge

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Interaction Design: The Big Picture with these activities:

Read 'Interaction Design: Beyond Human-Computer Interaction'

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Expand your knowledge by reading 'Interaction Design: Beyond Human-Computer Interaction' to gain insights from experts in the field.

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Read the book thoroughly
Take notes or highlight key concepts
Reflect on how the book's ideas relate to the course content

Analyze Existing Interactions

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Develop an analytical mindset by practicing the evaluation of existing interactions.

Browse courses on UX Evaluation

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Select a range of apps or websites
Critique the interactions and identify areas for improvement

Follow Online Tutorials on Interaction Design Tools

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Acquire proficiency in interaction design tools by following guided online tutorials.

Browse courses on UX Design Tools

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Identify reputable online tutorials
Practice using the tools through the guided steps

Two other activities

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Participate in a Study Group

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Join a study group to engage in discussions, share perspectives, and reinforce your understanding of interaction design concepts.

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Find a group with aligned goals and interests
Participate actively in group discussions
Contribute to the group's knowledge sharing

Design a Prototype for a Mobile App

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Demonstrate your understanding by designing and prototyping a mobile app that incorporates interaction design principles.

Browse courses on Mobile App Design

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Identify a problem or opportunity
Sketch out and iterate on your design
Build a functional prototype
User test your prototype and gather feedback
Refine your design based on feedback

Career center

Learners who complete Interaction Design: The Big Picture will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Interaction Designer

Interaction Designers create the way that users interact with a product. They work closely with UX Researchers, Software Developers, and other members of the product team to create a product that is functional, enjoyable to use, and accessible to all users.

See salaries and explore the career path for Interaction Designer

User Experience (UX) Designer

UX Designers create the overall experience of a product, including its usability, functionality, and aesthetics. Interaction Designers will often work closely with UX Designers to create prototypes and implement designs. This course may be useful as it provides an overview of Interaction Design principles and methods, and it covers the role of psychology and the brain in UX design.

See salaries and explore the career path for User Experience (UX) Designer

UI Designer

UI Designers create the user interface for websites and apps. Interaction Designers will often work closely with UI Designers to create prototypes and implement designs. This course may be useful as it provides an overview of Interaction Design principles and methods, and it covers the role of psychology and the brain in UX design.

See salaries and explore the career path for UI Designer

Design Manager

Design Managers oversee all aspects of a design team, from hiring and firing to setting goals and creating deliverables. They will often work closely with Interaction Designers to ensure that the team is creating high-quality designs that meet the needs of the business. This course may be useful as it provides an overview of Interaction Design principles and methods, and it covers the role of psychology and the brain in UX design.

See salaries and explore the career path for Design Manager

User Experience (UX) Researcher

UX Researchers carry out usability testing to ensure that a product can be used in a way that is efficient and pleasurable. Interaction Designers often rely on UX Research to inform their work, and some are actually responsible for doing UX Research themselves. While this course does not provide formal training in how to be a User Experience Researcher, the Five Dimensions of Interaction Design and Psychology of UX modules could help an aspiring UX Researcher build a foundation in the field.

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Business Analyst

Business Analysts will analyze an organization's business processes and needs, and then develop solutions to improve efficiency and effectiveness. Interaction Designers can work with Business Analysts to help create solutions that are easy to use and meet the needs of the organization.

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Data Scientist

Data Scientists collect and analyze data in order to extract insights. Interaction Designers can use data science to inform their work and create more effective designs. This course may be useful as it provides an overview of Interaction Design principles and methods, and it covers the role of psychology and the brain in UX design.

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Product Manager

Product Managers oversee all aspects of a product, from its inception to its development, launch, and maintenance. They work closely with Interaction Designers to ensure that a product is functional and enjoyable to use. While this course does not focus on product management, it can provide an overview of concepts that are important for a successful Product Manager, e.g. the Five Dimensions of Interaction Design and Common Strategies and Techniques Used in Interaction Design.

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Anthropologist

Anthropologists study human societies and cultures. This course may be useful as it provides an overview of the role of psychology and the brain in UX design.

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Cognitive Psychologist

Cognitive Psychologists study the mental processes that underlie human behavior. This course may be useful as it provides an overview of the role of psychology and the brain in UX design.

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Information Architect

An Information Architect will design and build taxonomies and ontologies for data systems. The section of the course on the Five Dimensions of Interaction Design may be useful to aspiring Information Architects, particularly as Information Architecture touches on the psychology and sociology of information.

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Technical Writer

Technical Writers create documentation for software and other products. Interaction Designers can work with Technical Writers to help create documentation that is easy to understand and use. This course may be useful as it provides an overview of Interaction Design principles and methods.

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Game Designer

Game Designers create the rules and mechanics for video games. They will often work closely with Interaction Designers to create prototypes and implement designs. This course may be useful as it provides an overview of Interaction Design principles and methods.

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Web Developer

Web Developers build and maintain websites. Interaction Designers will often work closely with Web Developers to create prototypes and implement designs. This course may be useful as it provides an overview of Interaction Design principles and methods.

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Software Developer

Software Developers build and maintain computer programs. Interaction Designers will often work closely with Software Developers to create prototypes and implement designs. This course may be useful as it provides an overview of Interaction Design principles and methods.

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