Course Description
This course examines the principles, methods, and strategic value of human-centered design in the development of products, services, and experiences across technological, creative, and entrepreneurial contexts. It integrates theories from design research, cognitive psychology, anthropology, and service innovation to understand how human needs, behaviors, emotions, and social contexts shape effective solutions.
Students engage in systematic user research, co-design practices, prototyping, and usability evaluation to translate human insights into meaningful innovations. The course emphasizes iterative design processes, inclusive and accessible design principles, and evidence-based decision-making. Through applied projects and critical reflection, students develop the capacity to design solutions that generate user value while aligning with organizational and societal objectives.
Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion of the course, students will be able to:
Knowledge
- Demonstrate advanced understanding of human-centered design theory and user experience frameworks
- Explain cognitive, emotional, and social factors influencing user interaction with products and services
- Analyze the strategic role of UX in innovation performance and competitive advantage
Skills
- Conduct qualitative and quantitative user research, including ethnographic methods, interviews, and usability testing
- Develop personas, journey maps, and service blueprints based on empirical insights
- Design and iterate low- and high-fidelity prototypes
- Evaluate usability, accessibility, and experience quality using established metrics
Competencies
- Integrate user insights systematically into innovation and product development processes
- Design inclusive and accessible solutions across diverse user groups
- Apply iterative experimentation to refine user experiences
- Communicate design rationale effectively to multidisciplinary stakeholders
Key Topics Covered
- Foundations of human-centered and participatory design
- Cognitive psychology and user behavior
- User research methodologies and data synthesis
- Persona development and journey mapping
- Service design and experience ecosystems
- Prototyping techniques and iterative design cycles
- Usability testing and evaluation frameworks
- Accessibility standards and inclusive design
- UX strategy and organizational integration
- Ethics of user research and data collection