Interactive Cultural Applications and Creative Computing
for Byzantine Heritage
Postgraduate Programme — Level 7
LEARNING OUTCOMES
Upon completion, students will be able to:
1)
Understand the main principles of user experience (UX) and interaction design in cultural applications.
2)
Apply digital storytelling techniques to Byzantine cultural content.
3)
Use visual programming environments to create interactive applications for cultural heritage communication.
4)
Develop user-centered digital experiences for education and cultural tourism.
5)
Evaluate usability using basic heuristic evaluation methods.
6)
Critically assess digital representations of cultural heritage.
COURSE SYLLABUS
13 Modules
Week 01 | Introduction to Digital Cultural Applications
Overview of digital applications in cultural heritage, with emphasis on Byzantine Studies; exploration of how interactive systems (applications, games, digital narratives) are used in museums, education, and cultural tourism; discussion of the role of user engagement and experience in digital heritage communication.
Week 02 | Digital storytelling in cultural heritage
Introduction to narrative structures and storytelling techniques in digital environments; transformation of historical content into interactive narratives; exploration of linear and non-linear storytelling; development of storyboards for applications based on Byzantine history, art, and daily life.
Week 03 | User Experience (UX) and User Interface (UI) principles
Fundamental concepts of UX and UI design; usability, accessibility, and user-centered design; introduction to heuristic evaluation methods; analysis of existing cultural applications; application of UX principles to the design of Byzantine cultural interfaces.
Week 04 | From historical content to interactive design
Methodology for translating historical and archaeological data into interactive content; selection, simplification, and structuring of information; creation of user scenarios and interaction flows; development of conceptual models for digital applications.
Week 05 | Introduction to Scratch and visual programming
Overview of visual programming environments; basic concepts of logic, events, sequences, and interactivity without coding complexity; hands-on introduction to Scratch; sprites, backgrounds, scripts, and events; development of simple interactive scenes; creation of interactive narratives based on Byzantine themes (e.g., monuments, historical figures, artifacts).
Week 06 | Interactive Storytelling and Game-Based Learning
Design and development of interactive storytelling applications and simple educational games; principles of game-based learning in cultural heritage; integration of narrative, interaction, and feedback; development of educational scenarios related to Byzantine culture.
Week 07 | Designing Applications for Cultural Tourism and Education
Exploration of digital applications for cultural tourism (e.g., digital guides, storytelling apps, interactive maps); design of user experiences for visitors and learners; development of conceptual prototypes for tourism-oriented cultural applications.
Week 08 | Mobile Applications and User Interaction Scenarios
Introduction to mobile application logic and interaction patterns; adaptation of Scratch projects to simulate mobile-like experiences; design of navigation flows, menus, and user interaction paths; prototyping of simple cultural applications.
Week 09 | Usability Evaluation and Heuristic Methods
Introduction to usability testing and evaluation; heuristic evaluation principles; identification of usability issues in digital applications; application of evaluation methods to student projects; iterative design improvements.
Week 10 | Accessibility and Inclusive Design in Cultural Applications
Principles of accessibility in digital environments; inclusive design for diverse audiences; considerations for cultural, linguistic, and cognitive diversity; adaptation of applications for broader accessibility.
Week 11 | Ethics and Representation in Digital Cultural Heritage
Critical examination of ethical issues in digital representations of cultural heritage; authenticity, interpretation, and bias; responsible storytelling; challenges in representing Byzantine culture through digital media.
Week 12 | Design and Development of Final Project
Integration of course concepts into a complete interactive application; development of a Scratch-based prototype; documentation of design process; preparation of presentation and demonstration.
Week 13 | Student Presentations and Project Evaluation
Presentation of final projects; demonstration of interactive applications; discussion and peer feedback; evaluation based on design quality, usability, creativity, and historical relevance.
ASSESSMENT
Student Evaluation
40%
Writtent Assignments
UX analysis, storytelling, design exercises
40%
Final Project
Interactive application + report
20%
Oral Presentation
Workload — ECTS Distribution
250 Hours Total
Lectures
39
30
40
55
40
26
20
Course Total
250
Recommended Bibliography
Suggested bibliography:
- Liarokapis F., Shehade M., Aristidou A., Chrysanthou Y. (Eds.) (2025) Interactive Media for Cultural Heritage. Springer, Cham
Related academic journals:
- International Journal of Digital Humanities (Springer)
- Journal on Computing and Cultural Heritage (ACM)