Human-Centered Design: Building and Testing Prototypes

This course introduces you to helpful skills for making an idea tangible and testing it with potential users. We take a task-based approach to build these skills. You will identify the critical function of an idea, build a simple prototype, plan a testing scenario and collect feedback. This MOOC builds on the 2018 “From Synthesis to Creative Ideas” course, but you can also take it as a stand-alone MOOC. The assignments are designed for individual work.

Syllabus

WELCOME AND INTRODUCTION / Week 1 (28.8. – 4.9.2019) During the welcome week, you have the chance to introduce yourself and to discover the learning environment with a warm-up game. Time commitment: 1h – 1:30h

PROTOTYPING / Week 2 (5.9. – 11.9.2019) In this week, we focus on prototypes: why and how do we build them? You will learn about the concept of the critical function of a prototype, different types of prototypes, and prototyping techniques. Time commitment:3h – 4h

TESTING/ Week 3 (12.9. – 19.9.2019) In this week, we focus on the skill of conducting user tests with prototypes. You will learn to prepare a testing scenario, to structure tester feedback, and to filter aspects for iteration. Time commitment: 3,5 - 5h

WRAP UP / Week 4 (and beyond) (19.9. – 26.9.2019) During the wrap-up week, we provide a summary of the course content. We will discuss assignment results, showcase assignment examples, and describe the next steps in a design thinking project. Time commitment: 0:30h – 1h