First round of Product Design Program with Yufei and Gabriela

Val, Yufei & Gabriela

Our Product Design program is designed to provide students with a comprehensive foundation in user-centred design. The curriculum includes hands-on learning through practical assignments, quizzes, and interactive sessions. Students learn essential skills such as user research, persona development, wireframing, prototyping, and usability testing. These exercises aim to bridge the gap between theoretical knowledge and practical application, preparing students for real-world challenges in the field of design.

As part of our Product Design program, students also work on a capstone project with a real client to apply their skills in a professional context. For this iteration, our students Yufei and Gabriela collaborated on designing a writers app aimed at improving productivity and consistency for writers. The client outlined specific goals for the app, including file management, a word processor, a writing timer, productivity tracking, and user activity visualisation. These features needed to be user-friendly and cater to the diverse needs of writers.

How we did it

We held weekly sessions to review Yufei and Gabriela’s progress on both their coursework and the project. During these meetings, we assessed their research findings, discussed design decisions, and refined their prototypes. Their collaboration ensured the app’s development remained aligned with user needs and client expectations, and together, they tackled challenges directly, incorporating feedback from the client, me, and writers they tested their designs with.

Balancing client work with their coursework wasn’t easy, but Yufei and Gabriela approached it with determination. Their ability to adapt and integrate feedback into their work led to significant growth in their skills and confidence. By the end of the project, their final presentation to the client showcased a polished design that addressed the client’s goals. The client’s positive feedback affirmed the quality of their efforts.

This project not only gave Yufei and Gabriela valuable real-world experience but also provided them with a strong portfolio piece. The combination of rigorous coursework and practical application proved to be a powerful framework for learning and professional growth.

Feedback

Here is what they said:
“I have learned a lot from this course. From the content perspective. I think it is very comprehensive and detailed, and it is good for filling knowledge gaps in Product Design. in addition, the course organizes skills that will be use in the workplace, it is very practical. The real world program is very valuable, it allows you to apply what you have learned to real projects while gaining insights into how a team collaborates to design a product in a professional setting. Overall, I highly recommend it!”Yufei Su

“I learned to work in a team, and my UX design skills have improved. I now feel more confident applying for jobs. I think the program is very comprehensive. Working on a project with a real client really helped me understand what it’s like to work in the field.” – Gabriela Drummond