In this course you have the opportunity to go through and experience a design process in a number of steps. From understanding the context of use to idea generation to prototyping and testing your concept. To tie these steps together, we have defined a theme within which you will be designing something. Our intention is that the theme will give you focus during the design process. In addition, because all participants in the course are working within the same theme, it will be easier to compare and discuss your results.

What is a design theme? A design theme is an application domain for which you design a new product. Design themes can be related to a certain sector (e.g. healthcare, or mobility) or to a product category (e.g. mobile phones, or automotive). In this course, the design theme is focused on a human activity, namely: people’s ‘Morning Rituals’. Morning rituals encompass people’s activities and experiences from the moment they get up in the morning to the moment they arrive at work or school. You will be designing something that will improve the morning rituals of people.

What are morning rituals about? How should you use the theme during the exercises? Why did we choose the theme of morning rituals? Please watch the video on the next page to find out more about the design theme of the course.