With interactivity ultimately having some sort of computational foundation, digital prototyping techniques are useful - and at times necessary – in the design process.

This course adds to the practical repertoire of prototyping skills from the previous course, Physical Prototyping. In introducing a new set of techniques, we draw critical distinctions between physical and digital prototyping, as well as how and why they are used apart and together. We build on the theoretical perspectives of prototyping from the prior course, relating these to the new techniques as well as developing the understanding of prototyping by introducing design fiction and speculative design.

After completing the course, students will be able to

1. Articulate different motivations for prototyping and relate this to particular digital prototyping techniques

2. Evidence individual digital prototyping activities with the materials of the course

3. Work collaboratively to plan, execute and communicate a small-scale physical prototyping project

4. Plan and engage with users in relation to a digital prototype, and analyse and reflect on the outcomes.

The course is based on lectures and hands-on engagement in prototyping individually and as a group.

In the first phase of the course, students learn practical techniques for prototyping using several materials. A task is set for exploring each material. Students document their work and reflections in a journal, and conclude with an essay drawing upon theoretical notions and practical experience. The journal is assessed as a single unit covering all practical tasks of the first phase.

Working as a group and in relation to a provided brief, students plan, and execute a small-scale digital prototyping project, including engagement with users. The process and outcomes of the project are communicated in a report and short presentation.

This course uses the same equipment as Programming II. If you don’t have this, you will need to purchase an Arduino Micro (or equivalent) and some basic components (up to 900sek)

The following is a required text, used for this course and the following Digital Prototyping:

• Valentine, L. (2013) Prototype: Design and craft in the 21st century. Bloomsbury Academic, London

Additional literature will be made available during the course, including:

• Heyer, C., & Brereton, M. (2010). Design from the Everyday: Continuously evolving, embedded exploratory prototypes. In Proc. of the 8th ACM Conference on Designing Interactive Systems DIS’10, 282–291.

The University provides students who participate in or who have completed a course with the opportunity to make known their experiences and viewpoints with regards to the course by completing a course evaluation administered by the University. The University will compile and summarize the results of course evaluations as well as informing participants of the results and any decisions relating to measures initiated in response to the course evaluations. The results will be made available to the students (HF 1:14).