Don't Make Me Think!: Common Sense Web Usability, Steve Krug. Que 2000
A Smile in the Mind, Beryl McAlhone & David Stuart, Phaidon ISBN 07114838128
End of Celluloid: Film Futures in the Digital Age by Matt Hanson
Skip Intro: Flash Interface Design and Usability; Duncan McAlester, Michelangelo Capraro New Riders 2002
Grids for the internet and other digital media by Veruschka Gotz Crans-pres-Celigny AVA 2002 : 741.60285
The Art and Science of Web Design, By Jeff Veen: New Riders ISBN 0789723700
Stop Stealing Sheep & Find Out How Type Works, by Spiekermann & Ginger, Adobe 2002 ISBN: 0201703394

books available online - http://ard-172-174.staffs.ac.uk/staff/colin/uploaded/UsefulDocuments/ebooks.htm
http://ard-172-174.staffs.ac.uk/staff/colin/uploaded/UsefulDocuments/recommendedSites.htm

A range of books, subject-specific periodicals and journals, newspaper and other related articles, as well as texts relating to the design process and the promotion of design relevant to your course of study should be employed as negotiated with the module manager - together with any subject-specific visual, audio or audio-visual evidence to support your work.

Recommended
You will be expected to take advantage of the extensive library facilities available within the University; keeping abreast of current developments through appropriate periodicals and being aware of the work of major practitioners in your subject.

Access to bookable studio space and lecture/seminar room with blackout and digital presentation hardware.
Access to digital storage
Computer workshop facilities and appropriate software

Slide Library
Design Study Collection

Non-specialist computing facilities for email, internet access, word processing, database, spreadsheet and basic presentations will be available through the University's 'Information Services' on-campus facilities - the exception being the 'studio browsers' which are located in base rooms/studios and will provide mainly email and internet access which are provided by the Faculty.

Specialist skills 'modulettes' will be assigned to this module. A comprehensive list of the modulettes is available from the Faculty Office, together with the current operational parameters for the modulettes (instruction description, maximum group size, time allocation, level etc). Some modules will have will have more than one modulette assigned to it and this information will also be held by the Faculty Office.

The learning activity centres on development of a extensive interactive artefact which demonstrate a understanding of interactive code, visual communication, and controlled information design for its intended users.

1) Production of assigned elements of an xmedia artefact which delivers a wide user experience within a overall thematic design in an appropriate and interesting ways.

2) Attending and participating in lectures, seminars and events covering;
Development and current usages of xmedia
Experimental design and usability issues
Thematic design development

3) Participation in initial and interim seminars to monitor progress and understanding and background development as presented in your own and other log-files

This module integrates practical production skills developed in other modules with professional practice and reflection on Interactive Xmedia. An essential part of the module is working to colleagues strengths to integrating students specific skills to produce a complete prototype, demonstrating appropriate "look and feel" and features, integrating coding and media design to a pre-defined artefact.

You will be asked to work on
+ A main assignment, defining specific roles for team-members which extend their strength and the overall range of media used, but working on specific tasks as a team
+ A weekly log-book and digital folder of development work, annotating your progress, and noting and assessing its success in matching the initial proposal's requirements and developing and reflecting integrated overall styling and features.

Topics covered in lectures and seminars include
+ development and current usages of xmedia
+ experimental design and usability issues
+ thematic design development

100% coursework
coursework includes a number of negotiated and aggregated components encompassing learning outcomes 1-4.

1/ A digital log-file of your progress on your tasks in the main assignment and reviews of others' work.
+ rough designs annotated with suggested improvements
+ Some of you colleagues rough designs - with your annotations
+ finished client roughs and prototypes using a range of design media and interaction
+ Highlighted and annotated tutorial/lecture/demonstration notes, indicating passages relevant to work in progress

A single assessment grade will take an holistic view of the student?s achievements.