Module Code - Title:
AH4146
-
DESIGN THINKING FOR SOCIAL AND ECONOMIC INNOVATION
Year Last Offered:
N/A
Hours Per Week:
Grading Type:
N
Prerequisite Modules:
Rationale and Purpose of the Module:
Design thinking is an approach to problem solving widely used in a variety of sectors to encourage multidisciplinary teams to collaborate in order to understand user needs and to generate solutions to respond to those needs. The purpose of this module is to introduce students to the key principles and elements of design thinking, examining its role not just in industry but also in the generation of social and economic innovation. Design thinking is used in the design of solutions to a variety of problems and in the design of related public and private services. In the context of this module, the specific design focus will be on designing solutions and services to respond to social and economic issues.
Syllabus:
The module will first introduce student to the meaning and evolution of design thinking and its application is a range of contexts. Students will be introduced to the five stages of design thinking i.e. empathising, defining, ideating, developing prototypes and testing solutions and to some of the methods and techniques associated with each. 'Real World' case studies will used to demonstrate how design thinking contributes to both social and economic innovation.
Learning Outcomes:
Cognitive (Knowledge, Understanding, Application, Analysis, Evaluation, Synthesis)
On successful completion of this module, students will be able to:
- Define and explain the main principles of design thinking and its different stages.
- Analyse complex social and economic challenges from a design thinking perspective
- Demonstrate an understanding of how design thinking could be used to identify and deliver solutions to social and economic challenges
- Produce innovative solutions to specific social and economic problems using design thinking principles
Affective (Attitudes and Values)
On successful completion of this module, students will be able to:
- Embrace a more creative and open-minded approach to problem-solving.
- Acknowledge the importance of designing solutions to problems with the end-users' needs and experiences in mind.
Psychomotor (Physical Skills)
N/A
How the Module will be Taught and what will be the Learning Experiences of the Students:
This module will be taught in a highly interactive fashion using a combination of lectures and tutorials. The module will draw heavily on 'real world' case studies of both social and economic innovation and will introduce practitioners of design thinking and their approaches. Students will be tasked with proposing solutions to known 'wicked' and persistent social problems using a design thinking approach. This module will stimulate curiosity and encourage agile thinking, in line with the UL Graduate Attributes.
Research Findings Incorporated in to the Syllabus (If Relevant):
Prime Texts:
Goi, H.C. and Tan, W.L (2021)
Design thinking as a means of citizen science for social innovation. Frontiers in Sociology, 6
, Frontiers in Sociology, 6
Lerwick, Michael, Link, Patrick and Leifer, Larry (2020)
The Design Thinking Toolbox
, Wiley
Lerwick, Michael, Link, Patrick and Leifer, Larry (2018)
The Design Thinking Playbook
, Wiley
Dorst, Kees (2015)
Frame Innovation: Create New Thinking by Design
, MIT Press
Kurokawa, Toshiaki and Frankl, Milan (2015)
Service Design and Delivery : How Design Thinking Can Innovate Business and Add Value to Society
, Business Expert Press
Shamiyeh, Michael (2014)
Driving Desired Futures : Turning Design Thinking into Real Innovation
, Walter de Gruyter GmbH
Other Relevant Texts:
Programme(s) in which this Module is Offered:
Semester(s) Module is Offered:
Spring
Module Leader:
chris.g.mcinerney@ul.ie