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

Competency Two:
Identify design problems, user goals and the design framework for an existing digital product.

OVERVIEW:

At the start of this module, you should have a firm grasp on what the Goal-Directed Design methodology is and how this can help us build products that our users will desire. You've also read about the importance of user research and the creation of personas in order to begin understanding the problems you are attempting to solve.

Now it's time to begin to introduce various methods of prototyping and how these methods can aide in product development throughout the entire Goal-Directed Design process.

In Competency Two, you are going to begin to learn how to utilize sketching (low-fidelity prototyping) in conjunction with:

- interface analysis, in order to identify and describe design problems with existing digital products
- personas, in order to model user scenarios through storyboards
- design framework identification, in order to develop ideas for a more appropriate design framework for an existing digital product

"The Design Framework defines the overall structure of the users’ experience. This includes the underlying organizing principles and the arrangement of functional elements on the screen, work flows, interactive behaviors and the visual and form languages used to express information, functionality, and brand identity."

Cooper, Alan; Reimann, Robert; Cronin, David; Noessel, Christopher (2014-08-13). About Face: The Essentials of Interaction Design (Kindle Locations 2970-2972). Wiley. Kindle Edition.

THE GOAL:

The goal of this module is for you to be able to identify design problems, user goals and the design framework for an existing digital product. Upon completion of this competency module you will be able to achieve the following learning objectives:

- Identify and describe design problems with existing digital products through user interface sketching and analysis.
- Model user scenarios based on personas through storyboarding and user interface sketching in order to discover true user goals.
- Deconstruct the design framework for an existing digital product and develop a more effective and appropriate design framework for that product.

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 Two Project".
3. Participate in the "Peer Review & Discussions" board during your project.
4. Complete your "Capstone Journal: Entry #2".