Schedule Format Essays Reports Evaluation Related
Instructor
Ron Rensink, Departments of Psychology and Computer Science
Meetings
Time: Wednesdays, 4:00-7:00pm
Location: Kenny (Psychology) 2563
Description
This course discusses (i) how knowledge of vision science can be applied to the design of visual displays, and (ii) how knowledge of visual design can form the basis of investigations in vision science.
Areas of visual science that are covered include both low- and mid-level processes--e.g., colour perception, motion perception, object recognition, and visually-guided action. Application areas include maps & diagrams, cartoons, information visualization, computer animation, visual interfaces, and graphic design. The approach will show how the disciplines of psychology and computer science can usefully interact via general design constraints and guidelines that are based upon the nature of human perceptual mechanisms.
Prerequisites
This course is intended for graduate or advanced undergrad students in Psychology, Computer Science, and related disciplines. Prior background is required in either perceptual psychology or visual design/graphics, but not both.
The focus of the course is on general design principles--programming is not required. Psychology students must be willing to become familiar with the basics of menu-driven interfaces and other visual displays. Computer science students must be willing to become familiar with the basics of the study of human vision.
Students from outside the Department of Psychology who wish to register for this course should contact Rose Tam (rose@psych.ubc.ca).
Class Format
Hybrid lecture/seminar, with two back-to-back presentations each Wednesday. Presentations and discussions are based on readings that students are expected to read beforehand.
Classes start with a 25-35 minute presentation of the assigned topic, usually by a member of the class; this will cover at least two readings. Next is a group analysis of essays written by students on that topic. This is followed by further discussion of the essays and the readings. After a brief break, this sequence will be repeated for the second presentation. Questions and discussions are encouraged at all times.
Readings
Textbooks:
Information
Visualization (2nd edition), Colin Ware
The Non-Designer's Design Book (3rd edition), Robin Williams
Secondary:
Vision Science, Stephen E. Palmer
The Psychology of Graphic Images, Manfredo Massironi
Visual Thinking: for Design, Colin Ware
Other sources will also be used on a limited basis.