Using Universal Design Game as an Educational Tool – Case Ruffproto

Abstract

Design games are tools for collaborative design that provide play qualities such as a playful mindset and structure, supported by game materials and rules. In a pedagogical context, the aim of these design games is usually to support collaborative explorations of future opportunities in an inspiring way.The general aim of the design games is to help facilitate a User-centered design process for design groups early in the design process. Framing collaborative design activities in a game format arguably improves idea generation and communication between students or other participants. Also, by shifting focus to the game, power relations and other factors that might harm learning and idea generation are downplayed.The RuffProto design game was created as a universal innovation tool for developing new digital products and services for creative teams. Universality in this context means that the design game in question can be applied to the design process of almost any type of digital service. Its potential in pedagogical use was studied in several Service Design, User-centered Design and Digital Prototyping courses in