purdue ux
Most UX design courses are taught in studio environments, where students are actively engaged in working on projects and learning concepts and skills that have tangible application. The UX major here at Purdue is structured around two types of studios: Learning Studios and Experience Studios. In Learning Studios, students learn—hands-on—how to conduct user research, frame problems, and create and evaluate prototypes. In Experience Studios, students apply the skills they learned in the Learning Studios to work on projects for industry clients. By the time they graduate, UX students will have 3.5 years of experience working on real client projects.
Project sponsors for Experience Studios have included Deloitte, HPE, Microsoft, UEGroup, Ford, Crema, and more.
Full list of industry sponsors for Experience Studio projects here
Learning Studio
Studio 1: Fundamentals
Course Description
Introduction to the fundamental components of human-centered design, focusing on interactive computer systems. Students learn the basic tenets and methods of user-centered design, including usability and visual design principles, user research, and low-fidelity prototyping. The course is platform independent and encourages students to experiment with new and emerging technologies.
Learning Objectives
This course is designed to provide students with an understanding of the fundamental components of human-centered design. By the end of this course, students will be able to:
1. Conduct basic analysis of situations, clients and problems, articulate problem statements, and create concepts that address the issues in the problem statement
2. Use basic data gathering and analysis techniques to inform design decisions
3. Demonstrate basic application of principles of visual and interaction design to create low-fidelity prototypes
4. Explain and apply the fundamental components of user-centered design
5. Articulate the core values of user-centered design
Studio 2: Screen
Course Description
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Intermediate exploration of various approaches to human-centered design. Students learn intermediate research and design methods and create high-fidelity prototypes. The course is platform-independent and encourages students to experiment with new and emerging technologies.
Learning Objectives
This course is designed to provide students with an intermediate understanding of human-centered design.
By the end of this course, students will be able to:
1. Conduct intermediate analysis of situations, clients, and problems using multiple approaches to problem framing, and create a variety of concepts that address the issues in the problem statement
2. Use intermediate data gathering and analysis techniques to inform design decisions
3. Demonstrate intermediate application of principles of visual and interaction design to create high-fidelity prototypes
4. Distinguish among major approaches to user-centered design
5. Compare and contrast the core values of various approaches to user-centered design
Studio 3: Cross Channel
Course Description
Advanced exploration of cross-channel approaches to human-centered design, such as service design, that span digital and physical experiences. Students utilize principles of usability and user experience to create and evaluate physical prototypes. The course is platform-independent and encourages students to experiment with new and emerging technologies.
Learning Objectives
This course is designed to provide students with an understanding of the cross-channel aspects of UX design.
By the end of this course, students will be able to:
1. Conduct advanced analysis of various situations using appropriate processes and methodologies for UX
• select and apply appropriate user research methods
• prioritize design requirements based on user research
• identify and frame perceived and real problems
• distinguish among popular processes and methodologies for UX
2. Create design concepts that address the issues of situations, clients, and problems that demonstrate an awareness of multiple user touchpoints
• distinguish among methods for representing design ideas and processes
• apply contextually appropriate methods for representing design ideas and processes
• justify appropriateness of chosen methods
3. Prototype multi-channel experiences that incorporate physical computing systems and other advanced technologies
• apply human factors principles in the creation of physical prototypes
• apply appropriate methods to evaluate multi-channel experiences
• demonstrate technical competence with physical computing systems and other advanced
technologies
• design holistic experiences that integrate multiple channels cohesively
4. Explain how design philosophy impacts design practice
• describe how underlying assumptions and perspectives influence practice
• identify key components of a design philosophy
• articulate personal design philosophy
5. Apply advanced UX theory in the design and evaluation of interactive experiences
• distinguish among relevant theoretical frameworks and constructs
• utilize theoretical frameworks in the design of interactive experiences
• analyze existing experiences using appropriate theoretical frameworks
Learning Objectives
TEAMWORK: Implement team building skills and manage collaboration between teammates. Solve conflicts in a fair and effective manner that is a “lead by example” process. Organize and lead team retrospectives. Measure your UX role and your teammates, then determine growth plans.
PROJECT MANAGEMENT: Execute a project strategy with tasks and deliverables based on project goals and team dynamics. Develop and execute project management plan with milestones, and team member tasks. Champion the development of a UX project proposal that will clearly explain the project vision, direction, goals, stakeholders, deliverables, timeline and tasks.
UX SPECIALIZATION: Demonstrate depth in one or more UX specializations and critique strengths and weaknesses. Teach UXD specialization tasks and process to team members. Educate team members about the roles and careers of UX designers. Document your educational path of UXD skill development in a written reflection.
PROFESSIONAL COMMUNICATION: Primary point of contact with industry sponsors. Communicate UX approaches to diverse stakeholders in a professional manner. Champion the final project written design documentation, including the executive summary. Enhance portfolio, conduct job search, and mentor junior students.
