YCWPD 082 - Interaction Design & Prototyping for XR
Description
Extended reality (XR) is the new frontier of technology, a new way to see our world. Unity is the world’s leading platform for creating and operating interactive, real-time 3D content.
Using industry-recognized tools, software, workflows and processes, this project-based foundational course aims to equip you with in-demand knowledge and skills required to design and prototype intuitive, usable, and human-centered experiences for AR, VR and MR (jointly referred to as XR) while applying usability considerations for immersive experiences. Through hands-on projects, you will have opportunities to apply your skills to create a portfolio showcasing XR experiences.
Gaining skills in XR design opens new career pathways and opportunities for roles such as immersive product designer; 3D experience designer; UX/UI designer (XR); technical artist; technical designer; 3D artist; game UI artist; XR designer; product designer (AR/VR); UX visual designer (XR), and game designer to name a few.
Course toolkit includes industry-recognized tools such as: Unity; ShapesXR; Figma; Adobe Aero; Spark AR.
Upon successful completion of this course, you will receive:
- An Attestation of Completion from McGill University’s School of Continuing Studies
- A McGill University School of Continuing Studies and Circuit Stream digital microcredential
Two Options Available:
Course Starter or, Course Plus which includes access to “UX Design Fundamentals for XR” online asynchronous self-paced course and access to live one-on-one support.
Topics Covered
Topics covered include:
- User Experience and Interaction Design for XR
- Prototyping with ShapesXR
- Introduction to Unity
- Prototyping Immersive Worlds with Unity
- Creating Interfaces in Unity
- Portfolio Project: MR Furniture Preview
- Prototyping for MR with MRTK and Figma
- Portfolio Project: AR Furniture App
- Prototyping for Mobile AR with Adobe Aero
- Portfolio Project: AR Effect for Social Media
- Promoting your app with Spark AR
Learning Outcomes
Upon completion of this course, you should be able to:
- Appreciate why UX practices are essential when creating AR and VR experiences.
- Differentiate between the process of designing new experiences for XR and designing for web or mobile software.
- Use design best practices and patterns applied to immersive environments and XR applications.
- Design while applying usability considerations for immersive experiences.
- Use tools, processes, and techniques to design interfaces and layouts.
- Create prototypes for XR using industry-recognized tools such as Unity, ShapesXR, Figma, Adobe Aero, and Spark AR.
Notes
Software & Hardware required:
- Unity Version 2020 LTS (free download instructions)
- A laptop or computer (Mac or PC). Windows 7 SP1+, 8, 10, 64-bit versions only; Mac OS X 10.13+; Ubuntu 20.04, 18.04, and CentOS 7
- It is strongly recommended to have a VR headset for project testing: Meta Quest 1 or 2, HTC Vive, or any other recent VR hardware
Prerequisite(s) and Corequisite(s)
No prior experience with Unity is required.
Basic computer literacy skills are necessary for a successful learning experience. These include file management, basic setup, common OS troubleshooting, and installing software (Windows, macOS, or Linux).
Who Should Attend?
This beginner-friendly course is designed for product designers, developers, product managers or generalists looking to develop their skills in XR design or for anyone wanting to work with immersive technologies.
This course is particularly beneficial for individuals:
- With a background or interest in UX design
- Who wish to create a portfolio showcasing XR experiences
Course duration: 10 weeks
Contact hours: 30
Tuition Fees
Course Starter: CAD $3,950 plus applicable taxes and McGill SCS administrative service fees.
Course Plus: CAD $4,950, which includes access to “UX Design Fundamentals for XR” pre-recorded online self-paced course, plus applicable taxes and McGill SCS administrative service fees.