Exploring the Future of Water through Design Thinking and Digital Prototyping

On April 2, 2025, as part of the HACS (Humanities, Arts, and Social Sciences) course – "Conversations about Water," organized by the Department of Mineral and Energy Resources Engineering (DER), students had the opportunity to apply the Design Thinking methodology and Digital Prototyping to address Human Behavior Change. This topic was discussed during an inspiring lecture by designer Inês Rodolfo (NOVA LINCS).

Challenged to develop an innovative solution, the 15 Working Groups, each consisting of 5 to 6 students from different degree programs at Técnico Lisboa, conceived and prototyped digital applications (for desktop, tablet, mobile, or smartwatch) using the Figma application. All the apps were developed with a common goal: to promote reflection and action on the theme of Water.

Each team presented their Final Project through an oral presentation of up to 10 minutes, where they detailed the methodology adopted, the applied concept, and demonstrated the functionality of their application with screenshots and a link for experimentation. The interactivity and innovative nature of the Projects made the presentations dynamic and engaging, capturing the attention of both students and faculty.

This interdisciplinary work highlights the importance of collaboration among students from different fields of study, providing a holistic approach to contemporary challenges related to the theme of "Water." The diversity of perspectives and knowledge enriches creativity and innovation, preparing students for real-world challenges that require integrated technological and human solutions.