Description
An introductory course to digital product creation with the main focus on linguistic and visual design. The visual design introduces graphic design and main principles in composition; linguistic design introduces the types of microcopy and its functions, how to write microcopy, and what should be known before starting writing. The first lectures of the course introduce the main principles of linguistic and visual design, information architecture, branding basics and user research principles. In the second part of the course, this knowledge will be put into practice by creating and testing a prototype.
Schedule
| 01.09.2026 | Introduction. Getting to know each other |
| 15.09.2026 | User-centered design. User research. Information architecture |
| 29.09.2026 | Basics of branding. The principles of UI design |
| 13.10.2026 | Linguistic design |
| 27.10.2026 | Low-fidelity prototyping |
| 10.11.2026 | High-fidelity prototyping |
| 24.11.2026 | Testing prototypes |
| 08.12.2026 | Presentations and final discussion |
Learning outcomes
On the successful completion of the course, the student:
- knows the basic principles of linguistic and visual communication
- knows how to implement the basics of user research
- knows the basics of branding and connects them to product design
- knows the basics of information architecture
- uses the principle of graphic design in prototype creation
- writes best suited microcopy for the prototype, using the golden rules of UX writing
- knows testing methods for prototype and ready product
- pinpoints and solves the paint points in the creation process of digital product
Credits: 3 ECTS
Teaching Team: Maria Reile (maria.reile ät ut dot ee), Yana Halas (yana.halas ät ut dot ee)
Assessment criteria
This is non-differentiated (pass, fail, not present) course. At the end of the semester the students are required to present their digital product as a joint project (in groups of two). The presentation must also include an overview of the work process, the pain points that occurred during the process, and the solutions to these pain points. To pass the course, the following elements must be fulfilled in the project:
- user research plan
- 5 characteristic features of your brand
- verbal design documentation
- graphic design documentation
- building the product wireframe and prototype
- prototype testing plan
Requirements to be met for final assessment
The student has taken part in 80% of the seminars and practicums and all written assignments have been submitted on time. The student has given an oral presentation about their joint project.