Prototyping with physical and digital materials is essential to interaction design practice. In this course, we purposefully mix a variety of making skills such as programming, electronics, and computer-aided design and manufacturing. It’s important for designers to clearly understand how prototypes ‘work’ and how to prototype effectively. To this end we draw upon design literature and critically reflect on prototyping practice.

The course introduces students to theoretical notions of prototyping, drawing on design theory and relating it to interaction design. Techniques for prototyping are introduced which will be of use throughout the programme. Students integrate the separate skills and perspectives individually and in cooperative teams.

On completion of the course the student will be able to:

The course combines lectures, workshops and design activities.

Three opportunities for examination are offered during the academic year. Students who have not finished the course, have the opportunity to take part in examinations the next time the course is offered. Under such circumstances, assignments are carried out according to the literature and assignments that are valid during the time the examination is carried out.

For re-examination of certain assignments, such as production assignments and group projects, certain circumstances apply since the examination of these assignments are dependent on student participation during certain periods of time and in specific projects. Re-examinations will be offered according to the student’s rights, but with adjustments to the specific assignment since it cannot be conducted in the same context as the ordinary examination.

The course requires payment of a materials fee for the workshop as well as additional materials. Details will be posted to Canvas when the course begins.

Malmö University provides students who participate in, or who have completed a course, with the opportunity to express their opinions and describe their experiences of the course by completing a course evaluation administered by the University. The University will compile and summarise the results of course evaluations. The University will also inform participants of the results and any decisions relating to measures taken in response to the course evaluations. The results will be made available to the students (HF 1:14).

If a course is no longer offered, or has undergone significant changes, the students must be offered two opportunities for re-examination based on the syllabus that applied at the time of registration, for a period of one year after the changes have been implemented.

If a student has a Learning support decision, the examiner has the right to provide the student with an adapted test, or to allow the student to take the exam in a different format. The syllabus is a translation of a Swedish source text.