Experience Design Systems unit (KDA106)

Hobart

Introduction

This introductory unit explores the principles and practices of Experience Design within structured environments. Working across digital and physical dimensions, this unit focuses on task-oriented experience design. Students will develop an understanding of how users navigate and interact with designed experiences, examining both functional aspects (way-finding systems, interface design, service touch-points) and emotional dimensions (user satisfaction, confidence, engagement). The unit introduces key concepts in perception theory to help students understand how users process information and make decisions within designed environments. Students will learn to apply service design methodologies to map user journeys and identify pain points. They will explore how heuristic principles guide intuitive interactions and develop skills with digital tools essential for prototyping and testing experience design solutions.

Summary

Unit name	Experience Design Systems
Unit code	KDA106
Credit points	12.5
College/School	Sciences and Engineering School of Architecture and Design
Discipline	Architecture & Design
Coordinator	Doctor Jose Vicente Garcia Cesar
Available as an elective?	Yes
Delivered By	University of Tasmania
Level	Introductory

Availability

Location	Study period	Attendance options		Available to
Hobart	Semester 2

Note

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Key Dates

Study Period	Start date	Census date	WW date	End date
Semester 2	5/7/2026	27/7/2026	30/8/2026	24/10/2026

* The Final WW Date is the final date from which you can withdraw from the unit without academic penalty, however you will still incur a financial liability (refer to How do I withdraw from a unit? for more information).

Unit census dates currently displaying for 2026 are indicative and subject to change. Finalised census dates for 2026 will be available from the 1st October 2025. Note census date cutoff is 11.59pm AEST (AEDT during October to March).

About Census Dates

Learning Outcomes

• Identify the fundamental principles of experience design.
• Apply appropriate service design tools and methods.
• Analyse how functional and emotional elements influence user interactions.
• Create cohesive experience design solutions across touchpoints.

Fee Information

Field of Education	Commencing Student Contribution 1,3	Grandfathered Student Contribution 1,3	Approved Pathway Course Student Contribution 2,3	Domestic Full Fee 4
100500	$1,192.00	$1,020.00	not applicable	$2,972.00

• Available as a Commonwealth Supported Place
• HECS-HELP is available on this unit, depending on your eligibility³
• FEE-HELP is available on this unit, depending on your eligibility⁴

¹ Please refer to more information on student contribution amounts.
² Please refer to more information on eligibility and Approved Pathway courses.
³ Please refer to more information on eligibility for HECS-HELP.
⁴ Please refer to more information on eligibility for FEE-HELP.

If you have any questions in relation to the fees, please contact UniConnect or more information is available on StudyAssist.

Please note: international students should refer to What is an indicative Fee? to get an indicative course cost.

Teaching

Assessment	User Journey & Emotional Mapping Project (25%)|Interactive Prototype with Heuristic Evaluation (35%)|Experience Design Resolution (40%)
Timetable	View the lecture timetable | View the full unit timetable

Textbooks

Required	Burickson, A., Lupton, E., & Holeman, E. (2023). Experience Design: A Participatory Manifesto (1st ed.). Yale University Press. https://doi.org/10.2307/jj.6535477 https://www.vlaanderen.be/publicaties/public-service-design-a-guide-for-the-application-of-service-design-in-public-organisations
Recommended	Suonheimo, M., Jones, P. H., & Lee, S.-H. (Eds.). (2025). Systemic service design. Routledge. Uffelen, C. van. (2021). Designing orientation¿: signage, concepts & wayfinding systems (1st edition.). Braun. Gibson, D. (2009). The wayfinding handbook¿: information design for public places (1st ed.). Princeton Architectural Press.

The University reserves the right to amend or remove courses and unit availabilities, as appropriate.