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Proficient in Design Software

Familiarity with design tools like Sketch, Figma, or Adobe XD is crucial for creating high-fidelity prototypes. You'll utilize these tools extensively throughout the course.

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Experience with Design Thinking Methodologies

A solid understanding of design thinking principles will enable you to facilitate design sprints effectively. This includes empathizing, defining, ideating, prototyping, and testing.

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Understanding of User-Centered Design Principles

Knowing how to prioritize user needs is essential for developing impactful solutions. This knowledge will guide your design decisions during the sprint.

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User Research Techniques

Why This Matters:

Refreshing your knowledge on user research will help you gather valuable insights that inform your designs. You'll apply these techniques during the user research module.

Recommended Resource:

"Don't Make Me Think" by Steve Krug - This book offers practical insights into user testing and design, making it a great refresher.

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Prototyping Best Practices

Why This Matters:

Reviewing prototyping practices is vital as you'll be developing high-fidelity prototypes. Understanding iteration and user testing will enhance your design outcomes.

Recommended Resource:

"The Design of Everyday Things" by Don Norman - This classic book provides foundational knowledge on design usability and prototyping.

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Presentation Skills for Designers

Why This Matters:

Brushing up on presentation skills will ensure you can effectively communicate your design rationale to stakeholders, a key focus of the course.

Recommended Resource:

"Talk Like TED" by Carmine Gallo - This book offers strategies for delivering impactful presentations, perfect for your upcoming stakeholder presentations.

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Preparation Tips

  • ⭐Set up your design software: Ensure you have the latest versions of your design tools installed and familiarize yourself with their features to hit the ground running.
  • ⭐Create a study schedule: Allocate time each week for course modules, assignments, and self-study to maintain a steady pace throughout the course.
  • ⭐Gather a portfolio of past work: Having your previous projects ready will help you reflect on your growth and apply lessons learned to new challenges.

What to Expect

This course is structured over 10-12 weeks, with 15-20 hours of study per week. You will engage in hands-on projects, collaborative assignments, and reflective practices. Expect a blend of theoretical knowledge and practical application, culminating in a final presentation to stakeholders.

Words of Encouragement

Get ready to elevate your design leadership skills! By mastering design sprints, you'll be equipped to drive innovation and create solutions that truly resonate with clients and users alike.