Design and Develop a Digital Resource for Addressing Food Poverty in Gateshead

Programme-level learning outcomes

This assignment contributes to the following Programme-level learning outcomes:

• Demonstrate a comprehensive knowledge and critical understanding of essential facts, concepts, principles, theories, methods, techniques and tools in the application and management of a range of current and emerging aspects of computer science
• Apply a comprehensive understanding of the professional, ethical, legal and social issues involved in the development and operation of a range of aspects of computer science.
• Systematically identify and analyse complex problems of a familiar and unfamiliar nature working both individually or as a member of a team and offer appropriate strategic solutions using a range of effective methods and tools
•  Use appropriate techniques, tools and knowledge to support effective project management
• Demonstrate creativity in problem solving and decision making in complex and unpredictable situations

Module Learning Outcomes Assessed

On completion of the assignment, students should have achieved the following learning outcomes (module learning outcomes can be found in full in the module handbook):

• MLO1: Understanding human-centred design principles, approaches, and techniques
• MLO2: Understanding design skills for social change

Task Overview

This is an individual assignment. You must respond to the brief below by designing an appropriate interactive technology and prototyping one interactive use case associated with this. The deliverables for this assignment are (1) a 5-minute presentation demonstrating interaction with your interactive prototype, (2) a pictorial documenting your overall design concept to satisfy the brief (max. 250 words for this first section), your design process, and detailed design concepts for one use case of the overall design concept, following the guidelines below, and (3) your interactive prototype of one use case from the overall design concept in your pictorial. Your prototype can be low-fidelity but it must be interactive (e.g. interface mock-ups, wireframes, and user journeys). You should demonstrate an Understanding of human-centred design principles, approaches, and techniques and an Understanding of design skills for social change through your documentation of the design process and your rationale and critical reflection on the prototype you produce. You should use your pictorial as the basis for your presentation.

Design brief:

You have been approached by the local authority in Gateshead to design and develop a digital resource for addressing food poverty. What this might do or look like is left intentionally vague so that it can emerge from your research and design process. It could be something that people in food poverty might use to find services that are available to support them in Gateshead, and something that community organisations providing services for people in food poverty (e.g., food parcels) can use to communicate with people in poverty, and coordinate with other organisations, for example. Whatever form it takes, your design decisions should be justified with respect to your research and design work.

Some starting points for secondary research into the challenge will be made available in class/on Blackboard (ELP). Assessment for this module consists of two parts: an individual report component worth 60% and an individual presentation component worth 40%. You are encouraged to use the secondary research and design materials that you should have carried out in the individual component, as well as any design concepts related to the topic developed during the module workshops, as a starting point for your design process

Your pictorial must document your design process (including formative prototypes and design decision based on secondary research), present your interactive prototype, and explain your rationale for both of these, making reference to any data, literature, or design concepts that these relate e.g., design fictions that you may have produced. It should demonstrate the following:

1. understanding and application of design concepts, qualities, and skills
2. use of appropriate methods and prototyping materials to design and develop interactive prototype(s)
3. an appropriate design and development process and rationale for design decisions,
4. evidence of the relationship of the designed artefact to research (using citations to academic literature)
5. critical reflection on the value of the designed artefact for addressing a social change challenge

High quality work demonstrating (1) understanding and application of design concepts, qualities, and skills, (2) use of appropriate methods and prototyping materials to design and develop interactive prototype(s), (3) an appropriate design and development process and rationale for design decisions, (4) evidence of the relationship of the designed artefact to research, (5) critical reflection on the value of the designed artefact for addressing a social change challenge, and (6) high production value and visual quality, all to a high standard appropriate to Level 7 and the topic provided. All learning outcomes met, with many or most at a very good level. Very good in all (or most of) the following criteria:

• Understanding human-centred design principles, approaches, and techniques
• Understanding design skills for social change
• Individual development of an interactive artefact or environment to support social change