Program Overview

Program Overview

The User-Centered Design AAS-T degree introduces design and research methods by incorporating technology, human activity, and data in order to prioritize user needs and wants for product or service development. The over-arching goal is to prepare students in technology and information-gathering that is in line with industry standards and for entry-level employment.

Program Objectives

Students are expected to:

• identify design problems
• analyze and select appropriate research methods
• evaluate data
• apply research-driven data and knowledge to design solutions The overall learning will focus on product and service end users.

Program Outcomes

User-Centered Design AAS-T degree graduates will:

• be prepared to obtain an entry-level position in interaction design
• collect user experiences by utilizing a variety of research methods
• create visual narratives and designs based on quantitative and qualitative data
• integrate analog traditional arts with digital tools
• collaborate with a variety of user-centered design teams and present ideas, research, and iterative design solutions
• produce a professional interaction portfolio of user-centered projects
• demonstrate communication, critical thinking, cultural humility, information literacy, and teamwork skills
• meet Humanities, Natural Science, Quantitative Reasoning, Social Science, and Written Communication general education distribution area outcomes

Program Requirements

Required Course Sequence

• Quarter One
  • DSGN 102 Design Principles 5 credits
  • DSGN 117 Typography I 5 credits
  • DSGN 111 Design Essentials: Tools, Techniques, and Workflow 5 credits
• Quarter Two
  • DSGN 155 Introduction to User-Centered Design 5 credits
  • DSGN 217 Typography II 5 credits
  • DSGN 156 Usability Studies and Research 5 credits
• Quarter Three
  • DSGN 260 Information Design 5 credits
  • DSGN 262 User Experience Prototyping 5 credits
  • MATH& 107 Math in Society 5 credits (or any college-level, transferable Quantitative Reasoning course)
• Quarter Four
  • DSGN 210 Design Systems 5 credits
  • DSGN 158 Usability Studies & Research II 5 credits
  • ENGL& 101 English Composition I 5 credits
• Quarter Five
  • DSGN 157 User Interface Design 5 credits
  • CMST& 220 Introduction to Public Speaking 5 credits (or any Humanities course)
  • PSYC& 100 General Psychology 5 credits (or any Social Science course)
• Quarter Six
  • DSGN 290 Professional Practice 5 credits
  • DSGN 259 International User Experience 5 credits
  • ENVS& 101 Introduction to Environmental Science 5 credits (or any Natural Science course with lab)

General Education Requirements

• 25 credits
• CMST& 220 Introduction to Public Speaking 5 credits (or any Humanities course)
• PSYC& 100 General Psychology 5 credits (or any Social Science course)
• ENGL& 101 English Composition I 5 credits
• MATH& 107 Math in Society 5 credits (or any college-level, transferable Quantitative Reasoning course)
• ENVS& 101 Introduction to Environmental Science 5 credits (or any Natural Science course with lab)

Diversity and Social Justice Requirement

Within the degree requirements, students must complete a 3-5 credit course that meets the college’s Diversity and Social Justice (DSJ) requirement. DSJ courses are designated in the college schedule and are designed to meet other general education or technical requirements simultaneous to meeting the DSJ requirement.

Total Program Credits

• 90 credits