DAC 309User Experience Design
- Units
- 0.50
- Faculty
- Arts
- Subject
- Digital Arts Communication
When it runs
- F24
- W25
- S25
- F25
- W26
- S26
- F26
- W27
- S27
Ran in 3 of the last 7 terms. Winter 2027: not on the schedule. Spring 2027: schedule not out yet.
This course introduces students to the theory and practice of user experience design as it applies to the design of interactive digital media. Topics will include user-centred design, personas, iterative testing, prototyping, information gathering interviews, and contextual inquiry.
Prerequisites
- Earned at least 0.50 units from DAC
Antirequisites
- Not completed nor concurrently enrolled in any of the following:
- GBDA210 - Introduction to User Experience Design (0.50)
Leads to
No course lists it as a requisite.
Fall 2026 sections
| Section | Class | Enrolled | Meets |
|---|---|---|---|
| LEC 001 | 4280 | 25 / 25 | M 13:00–14:20 |
Reviewed on UW Flow
100% liked it0% easy100% useful
From 1 rating on UW Flow. Read them all on UW Flow.
Discussed on r/uwaterloo
7 posts and comments in 5 threads mention DAC 309, February 2015 to December 2024. Quoted word for word, newest first; each reply sits under the post and the comment that started its branch. Search r/uwaterloo for newer posts.
Winter 2021
does a major in communication studies and a minor in digital arts communication give me valuable knowledge on being a UX designer? 5 points, 11 comments
“let me know if this belongs in a megathread. i originally wanted to get into marketing but i've recently found UX design. …”
u/Lil-Shiro: “… Some UX focused courses you might wanna bookmark are: DAC 305- Design and User Experience of Interactive Games DAC 309- User Experience Design DAC 400- Digital Design Research Project BET 350- Customer Experience Design I suggest also looking into and participating in …”
ARBUS AND UX 6 points, 5 comments
“can an Arbus student take UX courses or are they exclusive to GBDA? I’m having trouble finding info online pls help!”
u/Lil-Shiro: “… Some similar courses: DAC 305- Design and User Experience of Interactive Games DAC 309- User Experience Design DAC 400- Digital Design Research Project If you’re not in arts BET 350 (Customer Experience Design) is also worth looking at, I haven’t taken it but the course …”
u/AdKooky8354: “Is BET 350 available for Arbus students? And how does it differ from DAC 309? I’m technically already a dac minor atm but I haven’t taken any of the courses yet.”
u/Lil-Shiro: “… DAC 309 seems to follow a similar path of other DAC ones. So I think you would focus on more of the theory of design, personas, prototyping etc. in detail, before moving onto a final project. …”
Can non-GBDA students take GBDA courses? 1 point, 5 comments
“I'm going into my fourth year and I recently took an interest in digital design and I want to take GBDA courses so I can sort of transition into UX/UI design. …”
u/Lil-Shiro: “… Just in case you might be in arts: DAC 305- Design and User Experience of Interactive Games DAC 309- User Experience Design DAC 400- Digital Design Research Project If you’re not in arts BET 350 (Customer Experience Design) is also worth looking at, I haven’t taken it but the …”
Winter 2017
Any courses on graphic design, UI/UX, animation or illustration? 7 points, 9 comments
“Wanted to explore these areas more -- any courses I could take?”
u/y__tho: “You'll definitely want to look into doing a minor in Digital Arts Communication. Some sample courses you could take include DAC 309 (User Experience Design), ENGL 392A (Information Design), FINE 130 (Intro to Digital Imaging), and DAC 302 (Digital Storytelling).”
Winter 2015
CS/SE people, what are the most useful NON-CS courses that I should take? 3 points, 17 comments
“Courses can be of any year, any faculty! On a personal note, should I (CS Major) take MATH 235?”
u/dcardosods: “DAC 309 User Experience Design - I'm taking this and it is all about design research (personas, prototyping, etc..) and user interviewing.”
Check it elsewhere for Fall 2026
- Undergraduate Calendar, 2026–27The official entry
- Requirements for Fall 2026Waterloo’s requisite checker
- Schedule of Classes, Fall 2026Instructors, rooms, live seats
- Quest Class SearchWhere you enrol
- Course outlinesSyllabi from past terms (UW login)
- UW FlowStudent ratings and reviews
- WClassesPast sections back to 2004, and who taught them