User Experience: Research & Prototyping

UC San Diego develops a process for understanding people and turning observations into design opportunities. Research and synthesis lead into ideas and tangible prototypes. Examples span several industries, making this an option for learners who want methods they can apply beyond one particular app.

What you will learn

• Observe people and the context of their actions.
• Synthesize research into actionable opportunities.
• Develop prototypes to investigate design ideas.

Who this suits

Learners interested in a practical experience-design process across products and services; review the assignments to plan research and project time.

Before you enroll

Allow time to conduct research and revise the design, beyond watching the lessons. Obtain consent for interviews and usability sessions, protect participant information and distinguish observed evidence from your assumptions. A course certificate does not establish professional experience.

Coursera offers paid enrollment or subscription access. Check the enrollment screen for assessment and certificate terms, trials and any financial-aid options. Provider access terms can change; review them before paying.

Put it into practice

Use anonymized example observations to frame a fictional design opportunity, then build a simple prototype that tests one specific question.

Source and review

This overview is based on the provider's published information, checked on 12 October 2026. It is an editorial assessment, not a claim that we completed the resource. Time filters are approximate study ranges; projects and exercises can take longer.

View the curriculum and current access options at Coursera.

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