What skills or experience do I need to already have, before starting to learn prototyping?

It can typically help to have some business management skills, such as brainstorming and business plan writing before starting to learn prototyping. This is because the ideas generally need to exist and be in at least the early stages before prototyping begins. It also typically helps to have computer skills, strong reading skills, communications skills, and good people skills. Additionally, graphic design skills can be useful for creating visual images of products so potential customers can see a realistic representation of the item that is being prototyped.

What kind of people are best suited for roles in prototyping?

People who are creative and analytical are typically best suited for roles in prototyping. This is because it generally takes creativity to develop new products, and then analytical skills can be applied to figure out ways to polish it and make it more user-friendly. People who enjoy a challenge can be well suited to this area because it can sometimes take multiple attempts to finally arrive at an end result that delivers a positive user experience. Additionally, people who are enthusiastic about using technology on a daily basis tend to be well suited for prototyping roles.

What are common career paths for someone in prototyping?

People who work in prototyping typically make either digital products or physical products. Some common job titles include prototype engineer, prototype scientist, and prototype technician. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics , the median annual salary in the US for prototype specialists who worked in software development as of 2017 was $107,600. Prototype specialists also can typically find work in fields like graphic design, mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, and industrial design.

What topics can I study that are related to prototyping?

Some topics you can study that are related to prototyping include UX design, research techniques, and low-fidelity prototyping techniques. Software prototyping techniques could also be explored. You could study technical writing to learn about ways to prepare a written design rationale. You could also study cultural attributes that affect ways to design for specific populations. Creativity and entrepreneurship are related topics you could study if you enjoy the idea of entering into your own business venture with the prototypes you develop. Additionally, you could study specific industries and how they relate to prototyping, such as aeronautics, game design, and metallurgy.

What are the benefits of taking an online Prototyping course?

Online Prototyping courses offer a convenient and flexible way to enhance your knowledge or learn new Prototyping skills. Choose from a wide range of Prototyping courses offered by top universities and industry leaders tailored to various skill levels.

What Prototyping courses are best for training and upskilling employees or the workforce?

When looking to enhance your workforce's skills in Prototyping, it's crucial to select a course that aligns with their current abilities and learning objectives. Our Skills Dashboard is an invaluable tool for identifying skill gaps and choosing the most appropriate course for effective upskilling. For a comprehensive understanding of how our courses can benefit your employees, explore the enterprise solutions we offer. Discover more about our tailored programs at Coursera for Business here .

Top Prototyping Courses - Learn Prototyping Online

Explore the Prototyping Course Catalog

University of Virginia
Coding for Designers, Managers, and Entrepreneurs
Skills you'll gain: User Story, HTML and CSS, Debugging, Model View Controller, Hypertext Markup Language (HTML), Prototyping, Application Programming Interface (API), Javascript, Cascading Style Sheets (CSS), Web Applications, User Interface (UI), Web Design, Interactive Design, Javascript and jQuery, Web Development, Maintainability, User Centered Design, Team Oriented, Wireframing, Business Logic
4.2
Rating, 4.2 out of 5 stars
71 reviews
Beginner · Specialization · 1 - 3 Months
Status: Free
Coursera Instructor Network
GenAI for UX Designers
Skills you'll gain: User Experience Design, User Research, Wireframing, Experience Design, UI/UX Strategy, User Centered Design, Usability, Adobe XD, Conceptual Design, Usability Testing, Generative AI, Figma (Design Software), Interaction Design, Design Thinking, Prototyping, User Interface (UI) Design, Data Ethics, Persona Development
4.2
Rating, 4.2 out of 5 stars
41 reviews
Beginner · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
University of Toronto
Human-Centered Design for Inclusive Innovation
Skills you'll gain: Human Centered Design, User Experience Design, User Research, Design Thinking, Design Research, Qualitative Research, Innovation, Diversity and Inclusion, Complex Problem Solving, Empathy, Ideation, Creativity, Storytelling
4.8
Rating, 4.8 out of 5 stars
165 reviews
Beginner · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
Coursera Project Network
Design and Develop a Website using Figma and CSS
Skills you'll gain: Figma (Design Software), Front-End Web Development, Web Design, Prototyping, Web Development, Hypertext Markup Language (HTML), Cascading Style Sheets (CSS)
4.6
Rating, 4.6 out of 5 stars
106 reviews
Intermediate · Guided Project · Less Than 2 Hours
University of Colorado Boulder
Software Architecture for Big Data
Skills you'll gain: Service Level, Software Engineering, Database Management, Web Applications, Software Architecture, Performance Testing, Scalability, Microservices, Data Architecture, System Monitoring, Distributed Computing, User Acceptance Testing (UAT), Application Development, Prototyping, Apache Kafka, Predictive Modeling, Requirements Elicitation, Test Automation, Transaction Processing, Database Architecture and Administration
Build toward a degree
3.5
Rating, 3.5 out of 5 stars
92 reviews
Advanced · Specialization · 1 - 3 Months
University of London
3D Interaction Design in Virtual Reality
Skills you'll gain: Virtual Reality, Interaction Design, Augmented and Virtual Reality (AR/VR), Virtual Environment, User Interface (UI), Human Computer Interaction, Human Machine Interfaces, Usability, User Interface (UI) Design, User Experience Design, Prototyping, Simulations
4.6
Rating, 4.6 out of 5 stars
135 reviews
Intermediate · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona
Diseño de videojuegos
Skills you'll gain: System Design and Implementation, Software Design, Software Design Documents, Conceptual Design, Design, Visualization (Computer Graphics), Technical Design, Multimedia, Usability, Computer Graphics, User Experience Design, Interaction Design, User Experience, Prototyping, Creative Design, Storytelling, Scripting
4.6
Rating, 4.6 out of 5 stars
329 reviews
Mixed · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
Siemens
Introduction to Solid Edge
Skills you'll gain: Design Software, Data Import/Export, Technical Design, Design, Prototyping
4.8
Rating, 4.8 out of 5 stars
69 reviews
Beginner · Course · 1 - 3 Months
Coursera Project Network
Create professional mockups on Moqups
Skills you'll gain: Mockups, Web Design, Wireframing, Infographics, Prototyping, Data Sharing
Beginner · Guided Project · Less Than 2 Hours
L&T EduTech
Microcontroller and Industrial Applications
Skills you'll gain: Embedded Software, Peripheral Devices, Integrated Development Environments, Embedded Systems, Computer Programming Tools, Development Environment, Electronic Systems, Electronic Hardware, Internet Of Things, Microarchitecture, Automation, Real Time Data, Computer Architecture, Computer Hardware, Prototyping, Electronic Components
4.6
Rating, 4.6 out of 5 stars
288 reviews
Beginner · Course · 1 - 3 Months
Status: Free
Universidade Estadual de Campinas
A complexidade sensível: Um paralelo entre videogames e arte
Skills you'll gain: Aesthetics, Culture, Liberal Arts, Multimedia, Pedagogy, Conceptual Design, Creativity, Prototyping, Design, Design Reviews, Media and Communications, Systems Thinking
4.7
Rating, 4.7 out of 5 stars
228 reviews
Mixed · Course · 1 - 3 Months
Vanderbilt University
ChatGPT + Excel: Master AI-driven Formulas & Visualizations
Skills you'll gain: Excel Macros, Excel Formulas, Microsoft Excel, Data Visualization, ChatGPT, Productivity Software, Business Process Automation, Scripting, Data Validation, Prototyping, Data Import/Export, Debugging
4.9
Rating, 4.9 out of 5 stars
27 reviews
Beginner · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks