Schedule
Week 1
- Presentation
- Overview of GUI history
- Homework
Ubuntu live CD (GNOME desktop): http://www.ubuntu.com
Kbuntu live CD (KDE desktop): http://www.kubuntu.org
Knoppix live CD (KDE desktop): http://www.knoppix.org/
Week 2
- Activity
- Presentation of os desktop comparison, and discussion
- Lecture
- GUI structures and components
- Homework
Edubuntu: http://www.edubuntu.org
StarDock has a serials of tools to customize your windows desktop: http://www.stardock.com/
Week 3
- Lecture
- Web GUI design
- Homework
Week 4
- Activity
- Presentation of your extreme examples of web design
- Lecture
- GUI design process
- Homework
- Finish your design/prototype, prepare for the final presentation
Week 5
- Activity
- Final presenations
Assignment Introduction
gooey adj : soft and sticky Source: WordNet ® 2.0, © 2003 Princeton University
When a lot of us hear the word "gooey," we think about sticky buns or creamy sugary fillings. Others, especially the software designers and even industrial designers, think "GUI", as in "Graphical User Interface." A GUI is what computer types call the system of icons, taskbars, and other objects that our computers use to display and access information. But nowadays, even smallest portable devices, for example, your mobile phone or my mp3 player, carry a GUI.
Many our designers have a MAC or some unlucky ones are still dreaming of having a MAC, because, as they say, besides many other reasons, a MAC has a “better” GUI than PC’s. Why the “Start” button, even with a “click here to start” slogan, failed to start the designers to open their eyes and wallets? There must be a reason, and we are going to find out why.
Target Competency Area(s), Competencies and Level(s)
- Integrating technology
- User focus
- Form and senses (visual design)
Entrance Level :Level of Prior Competency Development (Optional)
- Anybody who has access to a computer.
- Better if the attendees have some programming experience.
Learning Objectives
Understanding the concepts and structures of GUI. Learning the user centred process of GUI design, from analysis, prototyping to evaluation. And having some fun with Windows.
Learning Activities
- Lectures
- 5 hours, on GUI history, GUI structures and components, GUI design and evaluation.
- Reading
- 5 hours, back ground material.
- Group activity
- Design an new GUI for an existing product (evaluation, analysis, design, prototyping and testing): 20 hours
Individual activity: Windows face lifting. Compare the modern desktop interfaces (MAC OS X, KDE, GNOME, and of course Windows Explorer). Skin, customise and remaster the Windows desktop for a special target user group. 10 hours.
Deliverables
- Report and presentation on the results of the group activity.
- Presentations on the findings of desktop comparison.
- Presentation and competition on the skinned Windows desktop.
List of Available Reference and or Background Materials
- From TU library
From the Web
http://www.guidebookgallery.org/ GUI screenshots of all kinds of OS.