pencils polymer & pixels

Pencils, Polymer and Pixels - Working with Prototypes

From complex systems to beautiful objects, prototypes form an evolutionary path between idea and product realization. Prototyping is both a skill and way of thinking. It allows us to take great risks at low cost, expose critical challenges and express complex interactions in simple forms. In this course, we explore many prototyping forms, methods and techniques to better understand where, when and how prototypes inform both designer and design. Through a series of design challenges and group exercises, students will create prototypes to explore, validate and test ideas.

Students should come to this class with a big idea. This is the perfect environment to take on something that has not been done, something risky or difficult to approach. As a class, we work collaboratively to identify, implement and document the process used to realize the idea and design.

Throughout this course, students develop a body of work in the form of sketches, models and semi-functional objects. The value comes not from the volume or quality of what you produce, but rather from what is learned and how new knowledge is applied back into the design. Documentation and presentation of process are essential. The course is conducted as a design studio with weekly discussions, presentations of work and assigned readings. A series of speakers share experiences and discuss the role of the prototype in current products and services in the marketplace.