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 .

Best Prototyping Courses & Certificates [2025]

Explore the Prototyping Course Catalog

Status: Free Trial
Arizona State University
Rapid Prototyping and Tooling
Skills you'll gain: Engineering Design Process, Engineering Drawings, Basic Electrical Systems, Prototyping, Drafting and Engineering Design, Mechanical Drawings, Computer-Aided Design, Electronics, Technical Drawing, Electronic Components, Manufacturing Processes, Electronic Hardware, Electrical Wiring, Electrical Engineering, Hardware Design, Materials science, PIC Microcontrollers, Manufacturing and Production, Mechanical Engineering, 3D Modeling
4.9
Rating, 4.9 out of 5 stars
47 reviews
Beginner · Specialization · 3 - 6 Months
Status: Free Trial
Arizona State University
Rapid Prototyping Using 3D Printing
Skills you'll gain: Engineering Design Process, Prototyping, Engineering Drawings, Product Design, Product Development, Hardware Design, Research and Design, 3D Modeling, Mockups, Industrial Design, Development Testing, Computer-Aided Design, Usability Testing, Design Specifications, Manufacturing Processes, Cost Estimation, Materials science, Ideation, Mechanical Engineering, User Feedback
4.6
Rating, 4.6 out of 5 stars
109 reviews
Beginner · Specialization · 1 - 3 Months
Status: New
Status: Free Trial
SkillUp
UI/UX Design Fundamentals & Prototyping with Generative AI
Skills you'll gain: UI/UX Research, User Interface and User Experience (UI/UX) Design, User Experience, User Centered Design, Usability, Responsive Web Design, User Flows, User Interface (UI), UI Components, Figma (Design Software), Wireframing, Design Research, Prototyping, Persona (User Experience), Usability Testing, Experience Design, Human Centered Design, Ideation, Brainstorming, Animations
4.9
Rating, 4.9 out of 5 stars
44 reviews
Beginner · Specialization · 3 - 6 Months
Status: Free Trial
Google
Create High-Fidelity Designs and Prototypes in Figma
Skills you'll gain: Figma (Design Software), User Experience Design, Mockups, Usability Testing, User Interface (UI) Design, Design Elements And Principles, Design Reviews, Prototyping, Technical Communication, Typography, Design Research, Animations, Color Theory
4.8
Rating, 4.8 out of 5 stars
4.7K reviews
Beginner · Course · 1 - 3 Months
Status: Free Trial
Coursera Instructor Network
Business Innovation: Prototyping, Markets, Strategy
Skills you'll gain: Innovation, Ideation, New Product Development, Business Strategies, Design Thinking, Strategic Thinking, New Business Development, Business Strategy, Brainstorming, Product Development, Entrepreneurship, Business Modeling, Resource Management, Market Opportunities, Business Process, Business Priorities, Business Research, Customer experience improvement, Prioritization, Critical Thinking
Beginner · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
Status: Free Trial
Google
Build Wireframes and Low-Fidelity Prototypes
Skills you'll gain: Storyboarding, Wireframing, Information Architecture, Figma (Design Software), User Story, User Experience Design, User Centered Design, Prototyping, User Interface and User Experience (UI/UX) Design, Usability, Mockups, Persona (User Experience), User Flows
4.9
Rating, 4.9 out of 5 stars
9.5K reviews
Beginner · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks

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Status: Free Trial
Arizona State University
Rapid Prototyping Materials and Tooling
Skills you'll gain: Prototyping, Manufacturing Processes, Materials science, Manufacturing and Production, Mechanical Engineering, 3D Modeling, Safety Training, Personal protective equipment
5
Rating, 5 out of 5 stars
21 reviews
Beginner · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
Status: Free Trial
University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
3D Printing and Additive Manufacturing
Skills you'll gain: 3D Modeling, Design Software, Design Thinking, Intellectual Property, 3D Assets, Hardware Troubleshooting, Conceptual Design, Visualization (Computer Graphics), Product Design, Computer Hardware, Innovation, Computer-Aided Design, Prototyping, Emerging Technologies, Industrial Design, Digital Design, Product Development, Manufacturing Processes, Mechanical Design, Computer Graphics
4.6
Rating, 4.6 out of 5 stars
2.4K reviews
Beginner · Specialization · 3 - 6 Months
Status: Free Trial
University of California San Diego
User Experience: Research & Prototyping
Skills you'll gain: Design Research, User Experience Design, User Research, Prototyping, Human Centered Design, User Centered Design, Persona (User Experience), Usability Testing, Qualitative Research, Innovation, Creativity, Storyboarding, Interviewing Skills
4.6
Rating, 4.6 out of 5 stars
905 reviews
Mixed · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
Status: New
Status: Preview
Coursera
Prototype to Success: Figma Prototyping Essentials
Skills you'll gain: Figma (Design Software), Prototyping, Mockups, Interaction Design, Design Reviews, User Interface and User Experience (UI/UX) Design, Wireframing, Collaborative Software, UI Components, Usability Testing, Animations
Intermediate · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
Status: Free Trial
University of Minnesota
Prototyping and Design
Skills you'll gain: Prototyping, User Interface (UI) Design, Usability, Graphic and Visual Design, Web Content Accessibility Guidelines, Design, Interaction Design, Human Computer Interaction, Human Centered Design, Mockups, Wireframing, UI Components, Responsive Web Design, Internet Of Things
4.6
Rating, 4.6 out of 5 stars
395 reviews
Mixed · Course · 1 - 3 Months
Status: Free Trial
University of Maryland, College Park
Product Ideation, Design, and Management
Skills you'll gain: Stakeholder Management, Product Management, Product Development, New Product Development, Wireframing, Financial Statements, Product Design, User Experience Design, Team Leadership, Prototyping, Competitive Analysis, Commercialization, Product Lifecycle Management, Financial Modeling, Value Propositions, Proposal Writing, Innovation, Target Market, Market Opportunities, Ideation
4.5
Rating, 4.5 out of 5 stars
705 reviews
Beginner · Specialization · 3 - 6 Months