Overview
This course explores the intersection of user-centered system design, interactive methodologies, and cutting-edge artificial intelligence technologies. Moving beyond traditional development pipelines, students will learn how to design engaging, goal-oriented digital experiences by deeply understanding both human behavior and technological materials.
A central focus of this course is the integration of Large Language Models (LLMs) and generative AI within Human-Centered Design (HCD). Students will discover how modern AI can accelerate need finding, simulate user interactions, and automate evaluation phases to build highly scalable, inclusive, and optimized digital environments.
Core Learning Objectives
By the end of this course, you will be able to:
- Master User-Centered Design (UCD): Navigate the core stages of the design lifecycle, including need-finding, storyboarding, prototyping, and validation.
- Balance System Dynamics: Analyze and manage design goals, systemic constraints, and critical trade-offs to build highly usable interactive systems.
- Implement Agile & Collaborative Frameworks: Apply AgileUCD principles, managing parallel tracks for user experience research and development.
- Leverage Traditional Research Methods: Conduct field and laboratory observations, user interviews, questionnaires, and subjective protocol analyses.
- Perform Rigorous System Evaluations: Execute user-based experiments (between-subjects and within-subjects) alongside expert-based evaluations, including Heuristic Evaluations and Cognitive Walkthroughs.
- Integrate AI & LLMs in Design: Use generative AI to auto-generate diverse user personas, simulate user feedback dialogues, and run automated heuristic reviews using specialized AI tools.
- Navigate Ethics in Automation: Evaluate the ethical and practical implications of using AI, with a strict focus on transparency and bias mitigation.
General Course Information
- Course Level: Advanced / PhD & Graduate Level (In partnership with the PhD in Service Design for the Public Sector)
- Host Department: Dipartimento di Informatica, Sapienza Università di Roma
- Instructor: Prof. Emanuele Panizzi
- Approach: Interdisciplinary, blending technical system architecture, cognitive psychology, and rapid, iterative UX design tracks.