Design: Creation of Artifacts in Society from Coursera

What's inside

Syllabus

Week #1: Introduction to Design

This module was designed to introduce you to the design process and to reinforce the critical role that user needs play in good design. You'll learn that design is conceiving and giving form to artifacts that solve problems, and also how to recognize and identify a gap in a problem. You'll explore what defines what users need, as well as ways to use those needs toward product design. By the end of this module, you will have begun your own design process by identifying 10 problem gaps and submitting them for feedback from your peers. You will also do a "5 Whys" exercise to help you determine the best design problem for you to solve in your final design project.

Week #2: Customer Needs and Drawing Solutions

In this module, you'll deliver your customer needs and learn the basic principles of drawing for product design: a necessary skill for any designer. The module begins with another peer review, this time on customer needs. This assignment requires you to conduct interviews with potential customers, and to come up with a list of at least 30 user needs. Given the time-intensive nature of this assignment, we suggest you begin it as soon as possible. As you conduct your interviews and begin your list of user needs, you can start watching the drawing videos, which will guide you through the processes of presenting your design in a clear, easily accessible format. By the end of this module, you'll be able to identify the main customer needs your design will address, and also be able to present your design as a drawing which employs the best practices of drawing for design.

Week #3: Design Concepts

The goal of this module is to move from defining the problem to designing a solution. You'll begin by learning about the exploration phase, and you will exit this phase with a number of design concepts for peer review. You'll also learn how to decompose a design to evaluate its overall function, and essential process in creating good design essential to the life of your design. Finally, you'll learn how to critically examine past design artifacts to inform your current concepts so that you can sensibly differentiate your product. By the end of this module, you'll have created 10 solid design concepts, and you will have received feedback on those concepts so that you can move to the next phase of the design process: prototyping.

Week #4: Concept Selection and Prototyping

This module was created to help you understand the selection process so that you can choose one design for prototyping. You'll learn key techniques for evaluating your design concepts, including the selection matrix, and the scoring matrix. And once you've selected some designs, you will also learn the uses and value of prototyping. You'll explore how prototypes are used to answer questions, to communicate and to distinguish milestones in the design process, and you will also work through the prototyping process so you can begin building your own, which you will submit for peer review. By the end of this module, you'll have selected one or more design concepts for prototyping, built prototypes, and received feedback on them from your peers. You'll also get to see some of your peers' designs as well.

Week #5: Aesthetics

Now that you’ve identified what concept you want to explore, this module will explore the aesthetics of design so that you can refine your prototypes to be as aesthetically pleasing as possible. You'll learn how aesthetics are used in design, and how they motivate reactions toward artifacts overall using a real-world example. You'll also learn how you can apply these aesthetic principles to your own prototype, so that you can make your prototype more appealing and pleasing to potential customers. By the end of this module, you'll be prepared to implement aesthetic changes to your existing prototype so that you can be ready to submit your final design project for review in the following module.

Week #6: Final Project Submission

In this module, you will submit your final project for review. You'll then evaluate the work of five (5) of your peers and receive feedback which you can use for the next iteration of your design. By the end of this module, you will have created a reasonable prototype, and received critical feedback on how to redesign your prototype so that you know which directions to purse should you continue working on this project after the conclusion of this course.

Good to know

Know what's good

, what to watch for

, and possible dealbreakers

Helps you become a better designer through theory and practice, providing a strong foundation

Taught by Karl T. Ulrich, who's highly respected in the design industry

Takes a practical approach by offering real-world design challenges

Spans all design domains, ensuring its relevance to most designers

Reviews summary

Inspiring design creation

Learners say that Design: Creation of Artifacts in Society offers engaging and challenging content, such as thought-provoking examples and a challenging design problem. They note that the lectures are excellent and that the instructor's methodology and approach are outstanding. Overall, students feel that this course is well-designed and presented, and they appreciate the creativity it has sparked in them.

Learners find the course to be inspiring and creativity-sparking.

"Total beginner, here, loved the course. ... inspiring and energizing."

"Well designed, well presented; encouraging, creativity sparking."

"Amazing course and instructor! Had me inventing things and designing prototypes after just a few lectures."

The course offers thought-provoking and challenging content.

"Excellent lectures. Thought provoking examples. Challenging design problem."

"You will have to work toward the creation and design of a tangible service or product so be prepared to apply yourself."

"I never would have don this on my own. Very motivating!"

Students highly value the quality of the lectures and the instructor.

"Excellent lectures. Thought provoking examples."

"Excellent. His methodology and approach to the subject is outstanding."

"Amazing course and instructor!"

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Design: Creation of Artifacts in Society with these activities:

Read 'The Design of Everyday Things'

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This book provides a comprehensive overview of the principles of design and how they apply to everyday objects. Reading it will give you a strong foundation for the course and help you understand the concepts of design.

View Things That Make Us Smart: Defending Human... on Amazon

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Read one chapter per week
Take notes on the key concepts
Apply the concepts to your own design projects

Practice sketching to improve drawing

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Sketching is an essential skill for product designers. Doing this before starting the course will help improve your hand-eye coordination and give you a strong basis for the drawing modules.

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Find a still life or object to draw from
Set a timer for 5 minutes
Sketch the object, focusing on capturing the basic shapes and proportions
Compare your sketch to the object and identify areas for improvement
Repeat steps 1-4 for at least 10 different objects

Watch tutorials on design software

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Watching tutorials on design software will help you learn how to use the tools you need to create your designs.

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Find tutorials on YouTube or other online platforms
Watch the tutorials and follow along
Practice using the software on your own

Five other activities

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Practice design thinking exercises

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Practicing design thinking exercises will help you develop your creative problem-solving skills.

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Find design thinking exercises online or in books
Complete the exercises on your own or with a group
Reflect on your experience and identify areas for improvement

Attend a design workshop

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Attending a design workshop will give you an opportunity to learn from experienced designers and get hands-on experience with different design techniques.

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Find a design workshop that interests you
Register for the workshop
Attend the workshop and participate in the activities
Follow up with the workshop organizers or attendees

Participate in weekly peer review sessions

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Peer review is an essential part of the design process. Participating in weekly peer review sessions will give you feedback on your work and help you improve your design skills.

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Attend the weekly peer review sessions
Bring your work in progress to the sessions
Give feedback to other students
Incorporate feedback into your own work

Volunteer at a design organization

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Volunteering at a design organization will give you hands-on experience and help you network with other designers.

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Find a design organization that you are interested in
Contact the organization and inquire about volunteer opportunities
Attend volunteer orientation
Participate in volunteer activities

Create a design portfolio

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A design portfolio is a great way to showcase your skills and get feedback from potential employers. Creating a portfolio will help you organize your work and prepare for job interviews.

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Gather your best work
Create a website or digital portfolio to showcase your work
Get feedback from friends, family, or mentors
Update your portfolio regularly

Career center

Learners who complete Design: Creation of Artifacts in Society will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Web Designer

A Web Designer creates the design and layout of websites. They work with engineers and other stakeholders to ensure that the website is user-friendly and meets the needs of users. Web Designers typically have a strong understanding of design principles and the latest trends in web design. This course may be useful for those seeking to become web designers as it teaches the fundamentals of design and how to apply them to real-world problems. The course also covers the importance of user research and how to use it to inform design decisions.

See salaries and explore the career path for Web Designer

Industrial Designer

An Industrial Designer combines art, science, and engineering to develop the concepts and designs for manufactured products. They work to create products that are both functional and aesthetically pleasing. This course may be useful for those seeking to become industrial designers as it teaches the fundamentals of design and how to apply them to real-world problems. The course also covers the importance of user research and how to use it to inform design decisions, which is essential for designing successful products.

See salaries and explore the career path for Industrial Designer

Product Designer

A Product Designer creates products that are both useful and aesthetically pleasing. They work with engineers and other stakeholders to develop products that meet the needs of users. Product Designers typically have a strong understanding of design principles and the latest trends in product design. This course may be useful for those seeking to become product designers as it teaches the fundamentals of design and how to apply them to real-world problems. The course also covers the importance of user research and how to use it to inform design decisions.

See salaries and explore the career path for Product Designer

Graphic designer

A Graphic Designer creates visual concepts, using computer software or by hand, to communicate ideas that inspire, inform, and captivate consumers. They develop the overall layout and production design for advertisements, brochures, magazines, and other publications. They may also create logos, letterheads, websites, and other visual materials. This course may be useful for those seeking to become graphic designers as it teaches the fundamentals of design and how to use design software. The course also covers the design process from start to finish, which is essential for creating successful graphic design projects.

See salaries and explore the career path for Graphic designer

UI/UX Designer

A UI/UX Designer creates the user interface and user experience for websites and apps. They work with engineers and other stakeholders to ensure that the user interface is easy to use and the user experience is enjoyable. UI/UX Designers typically have a strong understanding of design principles and the latest trends in UI/UX design. This course may be useful for those seeking to become UI/UX designers as it teaches the fundamentals of design and how to apply them to real-world problems. The course also covers the importance of user research and how to use it to inform design decisions.

See salaries and explore the career path for UI/UX Designer

Marketing Manager

A Marketing Manager develops and executes marketing campaigns to promote products and services. They work with other departments to develop marketing strategies and ensure that marketing campaigns are consistent with the company's overall business goals. Marketing Managers typically have a strong understanding of marketing principles and the latest trends in marketing. This course may be useful for those seeking to become marketing managers as it teaches the fundamentals of design and how to use design to create effective marketing campaigns. The course also covers the importance of user research and how to use it to inform marketing decisions.

See salaries and explore the career path for Marketing Manager

Product Manager

A Product Manager is responsible for the lifecycle of a product, from its initial concept to its launch and beyond. They work with engineers, designers, and other stakeholders to ensure that the product meets the needs of users and is successful in the marketplace. Product Managers typically have a strong understanding of product development and the latest trends in technology. This course may be useful for those seeking to become product managers as it teaches the fundamentals of design and how to use design to create successful products. The course also covers the importance of user research and how to use it to inform product decisions.

See salaries and explore the career path for Product Manager

Interior designer

An Interior Designer plans, researches, coordinates, and manages projects to determine space requirements and select decorative items, furnishings, and architectural features. They may also provide advice on the selection of materials, colors, lighting, and space planning. Interior Designers typically have a strong understanding of design principles and the latest trends in interior design. This course may be useful for those seeking to become interior designers as it teaches the fundamentals of design and how to apply them to interior spaces. The course also covers the design process from start to finish, which is essential for creating successful interior design projects.

See salaries and explore the career path for Interior designer

Fashion Designer

A Fashion Designer creates clothing and accessories. They may work for a specific brand or as a freelancer. They are responsible for designing and creating new collections, as well as overseeing the production process. Fashion Designers typically have a strong understanding of fashion trends and the design process. This course may be useful for those seeking to become fashion designers as it teaches the fundamentals of design and how to apply them to fashion. The course also covers the design process from start to finish, which is essential for creating successful clothing lines.

See salaries and explore the career path for Fashion Designer

User Researcher

A User Researcher conducts research to understand the needs of users. They work with other stakeholders to develop user personas and ensure that products and services are designed to meet the needs of users. User Researchers typically have a strong understanding of research methods and the latest trends in user research. This course may be useful for those seeking to become user researchers as it teaches the fundamentals of design and how to use design to create effective research projects. The course also covers the importance of user research and how to use it to inform design decisions.

See salaries and explore the career path for User Researcher

Service Designer

A Service Designer creates and delivers services that meet the needs of users. They work with other stakeholders to develop service concepts and ensure that services are delivered in a way that is efficient and effective. Service Designers typically have a strong understanding of design principles and the latest trends in service design. This course may be useful for those seeking to become service designers as it teaches the fundamentals of design and how to apply them to real-world problems. The course also covers the importance of user research and how to use it to inform design decisions.

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Researcher

A Researcher conducts research to answer questions and solve problems. They may work in a variety of fields, including academia, government, and the private sector. Researchers typically have a strong understanding of research methods and the latest trends in research. This course may be useful for those seeking to become researchers as it teaches the fundamentals of design and how to use design to create effective research projects. The course also covers the importance of user research and how to use it to inform research decisions.

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Teacher

A Teacher develops and delivers lesson plans to teach students a variety of subjects. They work with students to create a positive learning environment and ensure that students are making progress. Teachers typically have a strong understanding of the subject matter they teach and the latest trends in education. This course may be useful for those seeking to become teachers as it teaches the fundamentals of design and how to use design to create effective lesson plans. The course also covers the importance of user research and how to use it to inform teaching decisions.

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Art Director

An Art Director manages visual projects such as marketing campaigns and oversees the production and execution of artwork. They are responsible for developing and communicating ideas, and making decisions that ensure a distinct visual identity for their brand. This course may be useful for those seeking to become art directors as it teaches the fundamentals of design and how to effectively use aesthetics to create visually appealing products. The course also covers the design process from start to finish, which is essential for managing visual projects.

See salaries and explore the career path for Art Director

Experience Designer

An Experience Designer creates seamless and engaging experiences for users across a variety of platforms, including websites, apps, and physical products. They use design thinking and user research to understand user needs and create solutions that are both functional and enjoyable. This course may be useful for those seeking to become experience designers because it teaches the fundamentals of design and how to apply them to real-world problems. The course also covers the importance of user research and how to use it to inform design decisions.

See salaries and explore the career path for Experience Designer