Augmenting Design Thinking with HCI | IIT Roorkee Course | Prof. Sonal Atreya
Course Details
| Exam Registration | 643 |
|---|---|
| Course Status | Ongoing |
| Course Type | Elective |
| Language | English |
| Duration | 8 weeks |
| Categories | Design Engineering, Architecture and Planning |
| Credit Points | 2 |
| Level | Undergraduate/Postgraduate |
| Start Date | 16 Feb 2026 |
| End Date | 10 Apr 2026 |
| Enrollment Ends | 16 Feb 2026 |
| Exam Registration Ends | 27 Feb 2026 |
| Exam Date | 18 Apr 2026 IST |
| NCrF Level | 4.5 — 8.0 |
Augmenting Design Thinking with Human-Computer Interaction: A Path to User-Centric Innovation
In today's digital landscape, creating products that are not only functional but also intuitive and delightful is paramount. The key lies in merging a deep understanding of human needs with thoughtful technological design. This is precisely the powerful synergy explored in the course Augmenting Design Thinking with Human-Computer Interaction, led by Prof. Sonal Atreya of IIT Roorkee.
Course Overview: Bridging Two Critical Disciplines
This 8-week course is designed for undergraduate and postgraduate students, as well as professionals, who aim to master the art of creating meaningful digital interfaces. It strategically combines the problem-solving, human-centric framework of Design Thinking with the practical, interface-focused principles of Human-Computer Interaction (HCI).
Design Thinking provides the strategic compass—a process to empathize with users, define core problems, and ideate innovative solutions. HCI provides the tactical toolkit—the principles and methods to build those solutions into efficient, usable, and accessible interfaces. Together, they form a complete methodology for driving user-centered innovation.
Meet Your Instructor: Prof. Sonal Atreya
The course is guided by the expertise of Dr. Sonal Atreya, an Assistant Professor at the Department of Design, IIT Roorkee. With a robust academic background including a PhD in Human Factor Design from IIT Delhi, a Master's in Industrial Design (IIT Delhi), and a graduation from the School of Planning and Architecture, New Delhi, Prof. Atreya brings a rich blend of theoretical knowledge and practical insight to the curriculum.
Who Should Enroll?
This course is ideally suited for:
- B.Des. / M.Des. / B.Arch. / M.Arch. Students
- Design researchers and practitioners
- Aspiring UX/UI Designers
- Product Managers and Developers seeking a design-centric approach
Industry Relevance & Career Support
The skills taught in this course are in high demand across multiple industries, including:
- Interaction Design & User Interface (UI) Design Companies
- Industrial Design Firms
- Tech Startups and Product Companies
- Any organization focused on digital product development and customer experience
Detailed 8-Week Course Layout
Here’s a week-by-week breakdown of what you will learn:
| Week | Core Topics |
|---|---|
| Week 1 | Introduction to Design Thinking & HCI: Concepts, process models, applications, and getting started. |
| Week 2 | Divergent & Convergent Thinking: Strategies for innovation and the implementation process. |
| Week 3 | Idea Generation & Selection: Methods, techniques, and tools for effective ideation and communication. |
| Week 4 | Understanding Users: Empathy mapping, journey mapping, stakeholder analysis, and principles of universal & accessible design. |
| Week 5 | Design Research Methods: Primary/secondary research, ethnography, interviews, questionnaires, and data analysis. |
| Week 6 | Design Process & Prototyping: Information architecture, wireframing (low & high fidelity), paper prototyping, and user testing. |
| Week 7 | Tools & Techniques: Hands-on walkthrough of Figma for design and prototyping, plus evaluation techniques. |
| Week 8 | Case Studies & Best Practices: Analysis of real-world products, industry guidelines, and dialogue notation. |
Essential Reading List
To deepen your understanding, the course references seminal texts in the field, including:
- The Design of Business by Roger L. Martin
- The Art of Innovation by Tom Kelly et al.
- Emotional Design and The Design of Everyday Things by Don Norman
- Universal Principles of Design by Lidwell, Holden, and Butler
Why This Course is a Must for Aspiring Designers
This course offers a unique, integrated curriculum that moves from theory to practice. You won't just learn about empathy mapping and customer journeys; you'll apply them. You won't just hear about Figma; you'll use it to build interactive prototypes. By the end of 8 weeks, you will have a holistic understanding of how to start with a human need and systematically design a thoughtful digital solution.
Whether you're a student building your portfolio or a professional aiming to pivot into UX/UI design, Augmenting Design Thinking with Human-Computer Interaction provides the foundational knowledge and practical skills to excel in creating the intuitive, human-centered interfaces of tomorrow.
Enroll Now →