Program Overview

User Interface Design Program

The User Interface Design program is targeted at students of the international Master's program MMT. The lecture and tutorials introduce interface design for digital systems, focusing on Human-Computer Interaction.

Program Description

The program explores how novice users react to novel interfaces of computerized systems, how system design can prevent problematic situations, and how systems can be tailored to specific user groups. It also examines how system design can support a progressive learning curve for users.

Course Structure

• The program consists of lectures and tutorials, with 2 hours of lecture and 2 hours of exercise per week.
• The course is taught in English and is designed for Master's level students, with no deep previous knowledge in Computer Science required.
• Theories and design approaches from Human-Computer Interaction, a sub-discipline of Computer Science neighboring Cognitive Psychology, are introduced in the lecture.
• Concrete techniques for a user-centered design process for computerized products are presented, emphasizing "low-fidelity prototyping" techniques.

Topics Covered

• Introduction to Human-Computer Interaction
• User-centered design process
• Low-fidelity prototyping techniques
• Design steps for computerized products
• Interaction issues and technical issues
• Group projects and prototype development

Preliminary Schedule

The preliminary schedule includes the following topics and dates: | Date | Time | Topic | | --- | --- | --- | | 14.10.2025 | 10:00-12:00 | Intro + Orga, basic model | | 14.10.2025 | 12:00-14:00 | Perception | | 21.10.2025 | 10:00-12:00 | No lecture | | 21.10.2025 | 12:00-14:00 | No tutorial | | 28.10.2025 | 10:00-12:00 | Requirements | | 28.10.2025 | 12:00-14:00 | Kick-Off and Ideation (Lotus Method) | | 04.11.2025 | 10:00-12:00 | Project Idea Pitch, Group Formation | | 04.11.2025 | 12:00-14:00 | Personas & Storyboards | | 11.11.2025 | 10:00-12:00 | Prototypes | | 11.11.2025 | 12:00-14:00 | Group Project Pitch & Paper Prototyping | | 18.11.2025 | 10:00-12:00 | Cognition | | 18.11.2025 | 12:00-14:00 | Digital Prototyping | | 25.11.2025 | 10:00-12:00 | Motor Functions | | 25.11.2025 | 12:00-14:00 | Interactive Prototypes | | 02.12.2025 | 10:00-12:00 | Evaluation | | 02.12.2025 | 12:00-14:00 | Introduction to User Studies & Pilot Testing | | 09.12.2025 | 10:00-12:00 | Basic Rules for UID | | 09.12.2025 | 12:00-14:00 | Introduction to LLMs & Group Work | | 16.12.2025 | 10:00-12:00 | Final Presentations (LCS) | | 16.12.2025 | 12:00-14:00 | No tutorial | | 23.12.2025 | 10:00-12:00 | Christmas lecture | | 23.12.2025 | 12:00-14:00 | No tutorial | | 30.12.2025 | 10:00-12:00 | Winter break | | 30.12.2025 | 12:00-14:00 | Winter break | | 06.01.2026 | 10:00-12:00 | Winter break | | 06.01.2026 | 12:00-14:00 | Winter break | | 13.01.2026 | 10:00-11:30 | Models, Tech constraints | | 13.01.2026 | 11:30-14:15 | Design Process Presentation (Oral Grade) | | 20.01.2026 | 10:00-12:00 | No lecture | | 20.01.2026 | 12:00-14:00 | No tutorial | | 27.01.2026 | 10:00-12:00 | Interaction Styles, Patterns & UCD | | 27.01.2026 | 12:00-14:00 | Group Work and Individual Feedback | | 03.02.2026 | 10:00-13:00 | Final Project Presentations (MMT) |

Credits and Language

• The program is worth 6 ECTS credits.
• The language of instruction is English.

Lecturer and Tutorials

• The lecturer is Prof. Dr. Andreas Butz.
• The tutorials are led by Kathrin Schnizer, Clara Sayffaerth, and Julian Rasch.