Course information
Learning outcomes
Knowledge
After completing the course, the students are able to state the key characteristics of design thinking and to explain the role of interactive prototypes in the process. They can also explain the key phases of design thinking process with appropriate working methods and tools.
Experience
After completing the course, the students will have an experience of completing a complete concept design project in a team. They have experience of conducting context studies, interpreting context study materials, generating concept alternatives, specifying a design concept, conducting user tests with a prototype, and presenting a design concept. They have also experience of writing reflective learning diary as well as participating in design critique.
Skills
After completing the course, the students are able to conduct a basic concept design project for a simple electronic product in a team. They are able to present a design concept with contextually grounded arguments.
Content
The course covers design thinking in the context of basic electronic prototyping. The course activities include project work, lectures, lab exercises, and learning diary keeping.
Teacher
Salu Ylirisku
Study material
Course book: Norman, D. A. (2013). The design of everyday things (Revised and expanded edition). Basic Books.
Workload
- Contact teaching, attendance compulsory
- Teamwork
- Independent work
Prerequisites
No prerequisites
Evaluation
Presentations, documentation, diaries, prototype, and teamwork are reviewed according to criteria explicated in detail during the course. Each of these areas will be assessed on scale 0-5.
Teaching time and location
The teaching time and the location of the course can be found in the Sisu information system.
- The link leads to Completion methods tab of the course page
- From the top of the page (Version drop-down menu), check that the academic year 2026-2027 is selected
- From the blue bar, choose the right teaching and open the Groups and study events tab to see the teaching time and location of the course. To see exam times, click Exam.
Exam instructions at the Open University
The teacher has four (4) weeks to grade the exam submissions starting from the exam date.
Further information
Equivalences to other courses: ELEC-C9800 Design in engineering
Online learning environment for the course
The MyCourses online learning environment is a tool for both students and teachers for communication and managing everyday course work. You need an Aalto User ID to log in to the course's MyCourses workspace and participate in teaching.
Digital workspace of the course:
MyCourses
More details on completing the course will be available at MyCourses closer to the start of the course.
Registration and course fee
Registration for Open University courses is done via the link below:
Course registration
Registration for this course starts on 10.8.2026 at 9.00
Registration for this course ends on 24.8.2026 at 23.59
It is not possible to register before the registration period has started or after it has ended.
The number of participants is limited to 3.
This course is organized by the Aalto University School of Electrical Engineering.
The course fee is paid upon registration for each course at a time and it is binding. Familiarize yourself with registration and payment rules as well as other guidelines for students:
Registration, payments and rules
