Title: Start Here
Course: Prototyping I (TEMPLATE) > Section: Competency Modules

Competency One:
Describe the goal-directed design process for digital products.

OVERVIEW:

Before we touch our computers or even put pen to sketch paper, the first tool we need to access is our brains when entering the world of interactive design. Whether we have been tasked with developing the next great phone app or an interactive exhibit display at the Natural History Museum, we need to begin with questions, and lots of them. For example: WHO is this digital product being designed for and WHAT are their goals? WHAT are the business needs driving the creation of this new product? HOW will users access this new product and WHERE does it fit within the realm of interactive design?

This is how we need to begin to approach the design process.

There are different approaches and methodologies in the world of digital product design, we are going to begin looking at the Goal-Directed Design Process as described in the About Face textbook throughout this competency module. Goal-Directed Design is a process that takes the focus off of task-oriented and task-driven design and hones in on understanding users goals, needs and motivations in order to create products people actually desire.

"...design, when properly deployed, both identifies user requirements and defines a detailed plan for the behavior and appearance of products. In other words, design provides true product definition, based on user goals, business needs, and technology constraints."

Cooper, Alan; Reimann, Robert; Cronin, David; Noessel, Christopher (2014-08-13). About Face: The Essentials of Interaction Design (Kindle Locations 943-946). Wiley. Kindle Edition.

THE GOAL:

The goal of this module is for you to be able to be able to describe the goal-directed design process for digital products. Upon completion of this competency module you will be able to achieve the following learning objectives:

- Explain the goal-directed design process and outline the key components of this method.
- Compare and contrast the goal-directed design method with a task/activity oriented design method and give reasons for why the goal-directed method can yield better results.
- Recommend existing digital products that could benefit from a redesign using the goal-directed design approach and explain why.

NEXT STEPS:

After reviewing the competency and learning objectives for this module, continue through this module by:

1. Reading the assigned reading material in the "Read it" section.
2. Complete your "Competency One Project".
3. Participate in the "Peer Review & Discussions" board during your project.
4. Complete your "Capstone Journal: Entry #1".