D652 is a design course in WGU's Bachelor of Science in User Experience Design, placed in term three of the standard path.
WGU says it guides students in applying what they learned in Foundations of Design. They use storyboards to represent design concepts visually, then design a wireframe and low-fidelity prototype using industry-standard visual design tools.
Prototypes focus on visual composition, interactivity and usability, applying user-centered principles such as balance, thematic consistency, visual aesthetics and ethical considerations, and produce artifacts for a professional portfolio.
It is challenging because you must produce a working design and explain the reasoning behind every choice.
Course at a Glance
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| University | Western Governors University (WGU) |
| Code and title | D652, Design Applications |
| Program | B.S. User Experience Design |
| Level | Undergraduate |
| Subject area | Storyboarding, wireframing and prototyping |
| Typical work | Storyboard, digital wireframe and low-fidelity prototype |
What D652 Covers
The guide lists two competencies:
| Competency (summarized) | What it asks of you |
|---|---|
| Create a digital wireframe using simple shapes | Lay out structure and content without visual polish |
| Create a low-fidelity digital prototype using digital tools | Link screens so a user can follow a flow |
Key Concepts Explained
Storyboards
A storyboard shows a person using a product or service in a sequence of simple scenes. It keeps focus on the user's situation and helps test whether a concept makes sense.
Example: Four panels show a commuter missing a bus, opening a transit app, finding the next departure and boarding another route. The storyboard shows the problem, trigger, action and outcome.
Wireframes and Low-Fidelity Prototypes
A wireframe uses simple shapes to arrange content, navigation and actions. A low-fidelity prototype links those screens so you can test the flow before investing in detail.
Example: A booking app wireframe shows a search bar, a list of results and a button. The prototype links the button to a confirmation screen, so a tester can try the entire task.
Typical Assignments and How to Approach Them
| Task type | What it tests | How to approach it |
|---|---|---|
| Storyboard | User-centered thinking | Show context, need and outcome in a few clear frames |
| Wireframe | Structure and layout | Use simple shapes, clear labels and consistent spacing |
| Low-fidelity prototype | Interaction and flow | Link screens and check the main task works |
| Design rationale | Reasoning | Link choices to balance, consistency, usability and ethics |
Principles to Apply and Explain
The course names balance, thematic consistency and visual aesthetics, along with ethical considerations. In your rationale, point to specific places in your design where each is applied.
- Balance: how elements are distributed so no area feels overloaded.
- Consistency: repeated styles, spacing and patterns across screens.
- Usability: clear labels, obvious actions and short paths to goals.
- Ethics: inclusive language, accessibility and respect for user data.
A Dependable Order of Work
- Write the user goal and the main task in one sentence.
- Sketch a storyboard of the situation and outcome.
- Build the wireframe with simple shapes and clear labels.
- Link screens in a low-fidelity prototype and click through it.
- Write the rationale tying choices to design principles.
This order keeps the design anchored to the user's goal, so the rationale writes itself.
What a Strong Submission Looks Like
- The storyboard shows a clear user, need and outcome.
- The wireframe is simple, labeled and consistent.
- The prototype's main flow works from start to finish.
- The rationale refers to balance, consistency, usability and ethics.
Where D652 Fits in the Program
D652 follows Foundations of Design in term three of the B.S. User Experience Design standard path. It is the first course where you make design artifacts, and the wireframe and prototype skills carry forward into the two Prototyping and Iterating courses.
Keep your files organized from the start. You may want to revisit or reference them as your portfolio grows.
Where Students Get Stuck
- Too much detail too soon. Keep wireframes simple.
- Screens that do not connect. Test the flow from start to finish.
- Rationale missing. Explain choices with the stated principles.
- Tool struggles. Practice basic features before starting the main task.
Study Tips for D652
- Sketch on paper before opening the design tool.
- List the main user task and design only what supports it.
- Use a few consistent components throughout.
- Click through your prototype as a new user would.
- Match your rationale to the rubric.
How We Help with D652
Send your brief, rubric and any sketches. We can tutor you on storyboards, wireframes and rationales, prepare a model write-up for reference, or edit your written explanation.
Work is original, plagiarism-checked and covered by free revisions within the scope of your original request. It supports your learning within WGU's academic integrity rules; the design itself must be your own work. GradeEssays is independent of Western Governors University and cannot promise results.
Get Your Prototype Story Straight
Share the brief and rubric. We provide tutoring, a model write-up and editing support.
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Frequently Asked Questions
In term three of the B.S. User Experience Design standard path.
A storyboard, a digital wireframe and a low-fidelity digital prototype, according to the course description.
Two.
Yes. The description says it produces industry artifacts for professional portfolios.
No. We offer tutoring, model examples and editing of your own writing; you submit your own work.
Use the tools your course materials specify.