UX605 BR1: UX Prototyping (Winter 2027)

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: UX605 BR1 – UX Prototyping (Winter 2027)

Company: Wilfrid Laurier University

Location: Brantford, ON, Canada

Job Type: Part-Time, Contract

Category: Higher Education Instruction / User Experience Design

Date Posted: May 20, 2026

Experience Level: Mid-Level (based on teaching and professional experience requirements)

Remote Status: On-site

🚀 Role Summary

• Deliver engaging and informative lectures for the UX Prototyping course, UX605 BR1, to an anticipated class size of 40 students.

• Instruct students on the principles and practical application of analogue prototyping techniques and relevant prototyping software.

• Foster a learning environment that encourages creativity, critical thinking, and practical skill development in user experience design.

• Contribute to the academic mission of the User Experience Design department by providing high-quality instruction and mentorship.

• Uphold the university's commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion within the classroom setting.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role is a contract teaching position within a university setting, specifically focused on User Experience (UX) design. The "BR1" designation likely refers to a specific section or campus location, and "UX605" is the course code. The role requires a blend of academic instruction and practical, hands-on experience in prototyping.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Prepare and deliver lectures for UX605 BR1, covering theoretical concepts and practical applications of UX prototyping.

• Guide students through hands-on exercises and projects related to analogue prototyping and digital prototyping tools.

• Assess student learning through assignments, projects, and potentially examinations, providing constructive feedback.

• Maintain accurate records of student progress and submit grades according to university timelines.

• Stay current with advancements in UX design, prototyping methodologies, and relevant software to inform course content.

• Facilitate a collaborative and inclusive learning environment that respects diverse perspectives.

• Manage course logistics, including classroom setup, material distribution, and adherence to university policies.

• Link to portfolio that demonstrates proficiency with relevant prototyping software and tools is required.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities are centered around academic instruction, emphasizing the delivery of course content, student assessment, and classroom management. The requirement for a portfolio demonstrating proficiency in prototyping software and tools is a critical component for evaluating practical skills.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: Master's Degree (Required)

Preferred Education: PhD with an emphasis in User Experience, Human-Computer Interaction, Human Factors, Cognitive Psychology, Interaction Design, Systems Engineering, or equivalent.

Experience:

• Required: Professional experience in building analogue prototypes.

Required Skills:

• Expertise in User Experience (UX) Design principles and methodologies.

• Proficiency in analogue prototyping techniques and materials.

• Experience with relevant prototyping software and digital design tools.

• Demonstrated ability to teach and train at the college or university level.

• Strong communication and presentation skills for lecture delivery.

• Ability to manage a classroom environment effectively for approximately 40 students.

Preferred Skills:

• Advanced knowledge in Human-Computer Interaction (HCI), Human Factors, Cognitive Psychology, or Interaction Design.

• Experience in Systems Engineering.

• Familiarity with maker lab or shop class training environments.

• Experience developing course outlines and curriculum materials.

• Understanding of academic assessment strategies and student evaluation.

📝 Enhancement Note: The qualifications emphasize both academic credentials and practical experience. A Master's degree is the baseline, but a PhD in a related field is preferred. Crucially, both professional prototyping experience and teaching/training experience are explicitly required. The portfolio requirement is a key differentiator for assessing practical skills.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• A comprehensive portfolio demonstrating proficiency in UX prototyping, including both analogue and digital methods.

• Clear examples of projects that showcase the process from ideation to final prototype.

• Evidence of proficiency with specific prototyping software and digital design tools used in the industry.

• Documentation of how prototypes were tested and iterated upon based on user feedback.

Process Documentation:

• Examples of how analogue prototyping processes were managed, including material selection and construction techniques.

• Walkthroughs of digital prototyping workflows, from wireframing to interactive mockups.

• Case studies detailing the problem-solving process involved in overcoming prototyping challenges.

• Insights into how user feedback was incorporated into prototype iterations to improve user experience.

📝 Enhancement Note: The portfolio is a critical requirement, serving as tangible proof of the candidate's practical skills in UX prototyping. It needs to go beyond just showcasing final products to demonstrating the entire process, including the use of specific tools and the integration of user feedback.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary: $9,913.75 CAD (for the term)

Benefits:

• As a contract teaching position within the WLUFA collective agreement, specific benefits may be outlined in the collective agreement. Typically, these roles may not include the comprehensive benefits packages of full-time faculty.

• Access to university resources and facilities relevant to teaching and research.

• Opportunity to contribute to student academic development and the UX Design program.

Working Hours: 3 hours per week (lecture time) for the Winter 2027 term, totaling 36 hours for the term. This is in addition to preparation and grading time.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary is a fixed amount for the term, reflecting the part-time, contract nature of the position. It's important for candidates to consult the WLUFA collective agreement for detailed information on any applicable benefits or allowances for contract faculty. The stated hours are lecture time only; actual workload will include significant preparation and assessment time.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Higher Education (University)

Company Size: Large (Wilfrid Laurier University is a multi-campus institution with several thousand employees and tens of thousands of students).

Founded: 1911 (Wilfrid Laurier University has a long-standing history of academic excellence).

Team Structure:

• The position is within the Faculty of Liberal Arts, specifically the User Experience Design department.

• Instruction is delivered on the Brantford campus.

• The role is part of the Contract Teaching Faculty (CTF) bargaining unit, represented by the Wilfrid Laurier Faculty Association (WLUFA).

Methodology:

• The department focuses on providing students with a strong foundation in User Experience Design, blending theoretical knowledge with practical application.

• Instruction methods will likely include lectures, discussions, hands-on workshops, and project-based learning.

• The university emphasizes a commitment to academic integrity, student success, and fostering an inclusive learning environment.

Company Website: https://www.wlu.ca/

📝 Enhancement Note: Wilfrid Laurier University is a well-established institution with a clear academic structure. As a part-time contract faculty member, the role operates within this framework, adhering to university policies and the WLUFA collective agreement. The focus on UX Design suggests a modern, forward-thinking academic program.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This is an instructional role, not a traditional operations role. It's a faculty position focused on teaching.

Reporting Structure: The instructor will report to the Chair of the User Experience Design department or a designated committee chair for part-time appointments.

Operations Impact: While not a direct "operations" role in the business sense, successful teaching directly impacts student development, program reputation, and the university's educational output.

Growth Opportunities:

• Potential for future contract teaching opportunities within the UX Design department or related fields at Wilfrid Laurier University, based on performance and course needs.

• Opportunities to refine teaching methodologies and curriculum development skills.

• Networking with faculty and professionals in the UX and higher education fields.

• Building a teaching portfolio and gaining experience in a university academic setting.

📝 Enhancement Note: This is not a revenue or sales operations role. It's an academic teaching position. Growth opportunities are primarily within the academic lecturing and curriculum development sphere within higher education.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: University Campus (Brantford Campus)

Office Location(s): Brantford, ON, Canada.

Workspace Context:

• The primary workspace will be a university classroom equipped for lectures and potentially hands-on activities.

• Access to faculty and staff resources, library services, and potentially departmental labs or maker spaces, subject to university policy.

• A collaborative environment with students and fellow faculty members.

• The role requires in-person delivery, meaning regular presence on campus during scheduled class times.

Work Schedule: Tuesdays, 4:00 PM – 6:50 PM, for the Winter 2027 term. This is the scheduled lecture time. Additional hours will be required for preparation, grading, and student consultations.

📝 Enhancement Note: The work environment is academic, requiring on-site presence at the Brantford campus for scheduled lecture times. Access to university facilities and resources will be available.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Application Review: Initial screening of CV, Candidate Application Form (CAF), and portfolio based on academic and professional requirements.

• Shortlisting: Candidates meeting the minimum qualifications will be considered. Assessment will be based on the CAF, CV, and referenced portfolio, using program-specific rubrics.

• Potential Interview/Presentation: While not explicitly stated, short-listed candidates may be invited for an interview or asked to present their portfolio and teaching philosophy. This would likely involve discussing their approach to teaching UX Prototyping and demonstrating their skills.

• Selection: Final decision made by the Part-time Appointment Committee.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Clarity and Conciseness: Ensure your portfolio clearly highlights your UX prototyping skills, both analogue and digital.

• Process Demonstration: Focus on showing your process – ideation, wireframing, prototyping, testing, and iteration – not just the final output.

• Tool Proficiency: Explicitly mention and demonstrate proficiency with the specific software and tools relevant to UX Prototyping.

• Analogue Examples: Provide strong examples of analogue prototypes, detailing materials and techniques used.

• Teaching Relevance: If possible, include examples that demonstrate how you might explain or teach these concepts. Ensure your portfolio is easily accessible via the provided link.

Challenge Preparation:

• Be prepared to discuss your teaching philosophy and approach to instructing UX Prototyping.

• Anticipate questions about how you would manage a class of 40 students and address diverse learning needs.

• Review the WLUFA collective agreement, specifically Appendix H (Assessment of CTF Candidates) and relevant program rubrics, to understand the evaluation criteria.

• Be ready to articulate your experience with analogue prototyping and the specific digital tools you utilize.

📝 Enhancement Note: The application process heavily relies on the Candidate Application Form (CAF) and the provided portfolio. Understanding the assessment criteria outlined in the WLUFA collective agreement is crucial for applicants. The portfolio is paramount for demonstrating practical skills.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Prototyping Software: Proficiency likely required in industry-standard tools such as Figma, Sketch, Adobe XD, InVision, or similar platforms for digital prototyping.

• Analogue Prototyping Materials: Familiarity with a wide range of materials for physical prototyping (e.g., cardstock, foam board, clay, 3D printing, laser cutting, etc.).

• Presentation Software: Tools like PowerPoint, Google Slides, or Keynote for lecture delivery.

Analytics & Reporting:

CRM & Automation:

• Not directly applicable to this instructional role, beyond standard university administrative systems.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis is on tools used for UX design and prototyping. Candidates need to demonstrate proficiency with both digital prototyping software and the materials/techniques for analogue prototyping. Experience with university LMS platforms is also beneficial.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Academic Excellence: Commitment to providing high-quality education and fostering student learning.

• Innovation: Encouraging creative problem-solving and exploration in UX design.

• Inclusivity: Promoting a diverse, equitable, and inclusive classroom environment.

• Collaboration: Working effectively with students and colleagues within the university structure.

• Professionalism: Upholding academic standards and demonstrating expertise in the field.

Collaboration Style:

• The role requires collaboration with departmental administration for course management and student support.

• Interaction with students will be central, involving guidance, feedback, and mentorship.

• Collaboration with other faculty members may occur for pedagogical discussions or interdisciplinary initiatives.

📝 Enhancement Note: The culture is rooted in academic principles and the university's commitment to student success and diversity. The instructor is expected to be a knowledgeable and supportive educator.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Diverse Student Skill Levels: Managing a classroom with students possessing varying degrees of prior experience in UX and prototyping.

• Bridging Analogue and Digital: Effectively teaching both hands-on analogue methods and current digital prototyping tools.

• Course Delivery Logistics: Adapting to the specific requirements and resources of the Brantford campus and university policies.

• Assessment Accuracy: Ensuring fair and consistent assessment of student work, especially given the creative nature of prototyping.

• Maintaining Engagement: Keeping a large class size (40 students) engaged during lectures and practical exercises.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Pedagogical Development: Opportunities to enhance teaching skills through university-provided resources or workshops for contract faculty.

• Curriculum Refinement: Potential to contribute to the ongoing development and improvement of the UX Prototyping course content.

• Industry Insight Sharing: Sharing professional experience and real-world UX insights with students.

• Networking: Building connections within the academic UX community and the broader design industry.

📝 Enhancement Note: The primary challenges are pedagogical and logistical, common to university teaching roles. Growth is centered on enhancing teaching capabilities and contributing to the academic program.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe your experience in teaching UX Prototyping. What are the key learning objectives you would focus on for this course?"

• "How would you approach teaching analogue prototyping techniques to students who may be more familiar with digital tools?"

• "How do you ensure an inclusive learning environment for students from diverse backgrounds?"

• "Can you walk us through a specific project from your portfolio, explaining your design process and the tools you used?"

Company & Culture Questions:

• "What interests you about teaching at Wilfrid Laurier University and specifically within the User Experience Design department?"

• "How do you stay current with trends and advancements in UX design and prototyping?"

• "Based on your understanding, what are the core values of Wilfrid Laurier University, and how do you align with them?"

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Structure: Organize your portfolio logically, perhaps by project type (analogue vs. digital) or by skill demonstrated.

• Narrative: For each project, tell a story: the problem, your approach, the tools used, the challenges faced, the solution, and the outcome/learning.

• Visuals: Use high-quality images, videos, or interactive demos to showcase your work effectively.

• Tool Emphasis: Clearly highlight your proficiency with specific prototyping software and analogue techniques.

• Conciseness: Be prepared to present key aspects of your portfolio efficiently, as time may be limited.

📝 Enhancement Note: Preparation should focus on demonstrating both pedagogical skills and practical expertise in UX prototyping. Familiarity with the university's collective agreement and its assessment criteria is essential. The portfolio is the central piece of evidence for practical skills.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this instructional position:

• Click the gold "Apply Now" button on the job posting page.

• Sign in to your existing account or create a new one to submit your application.

• Upload your CV with current contact information. Ensure it clearly details your teaching experience and professional prototyping background.

• Download and complete the Candidate Application Form (CAF). This form is critical for the assessment process and should be thoroughly filled out, addressing all relevant sections.

• Submit a link to your online portfolio that clearly demonstrates your UX prototyping skills, including both analogue and digital work. Ensure the link is active and accessible.

• For external applicants: Include names and contact information for referees, evidence of good teaching (e.g., official course evaluations if available), and verification of your highest degree.

• Optional: You may include a Cover Letter (though not expected, it can be used to highlight specific points not covered in the CAF) and a Teaching Dossier or Sample Course Outline (2 pages max) if you feel they significantly strengthen your application.

• Ensure all application materials are submitted by the deadline: Wednesday, June 3, 2026, by 23:59 local time.

⚠️ Important Notice: This enhanced job description includes AI-generated insights and operations industry-standard assumptions. All details should be verified directly with the hiring organization before making application decisions. The role is an academic teaching position, not a business operations role.