Design Thinking
Duration
- 1 semester
Contact hours
- 36 hours per semester
On-campus unit delivery combines face-to-face and digital learning.
Prerequisites
100 credit points
Aims and objectives
The unit aims to introduce students to concepts and methods associated with design thinking in a range of design and
non-design contacts. This unit will explore key concepts associated with the practices of design thinking, such as
ideation and prototyping, ill-structured problem solving, collaborative/participatory and human-centredness.
This introductory unit will complement the other issues addressed in the design management minor and concepts and
practices in Business and Management. Students will have the opportunity to develop their design thinking
competence through application to real world projects.
non-design contacts. This unit will explore key concepts associated with the practices of design thinking, such as
ideation and prototyping, ill-structured problem solving, collaborative/participatory and human-centredness.
This introductory unit will complement the other issues addressed in the design management minor and concepts and
practices in Business and Management. Students will have the opportunity to develop their design thinking
competence through application to real world projects.
After successfully completing this unit students should be able to:
1. Frame and solve a range of ill-defined, real-world design problems applying appropriate design thinking concepts
(e.g. ideation, prototyping and refining, critique, reflection, integrative thinking, human-centeredness, empathy)
2. Solve a range of ill-defined, real-world design problems by applying a range of appropriate design methods (e.g. illstructured
problem solving, collaboration, creating an organisational culture to bring ideas to reality profitably,
research, and user modelling)
3. Plan a real-world design project, applying a range of standard tools and methods, to achieve a set of outcomes.
1. Frame and solve a range of ill-defined, real-world design problems applying appropriate design thinking concepts
(e.g. ideation, prototyping and refining, critique, reflection, integrative thinking, human-centeredness, empathy)
2. Solve a range of ill-defined, real-world design problems by applying a range of appropriate design methods (e.g. illstructured
problem solving, collaboration, creating an organisational culture to bring ideas to reality profitably,
research, and user modelling)
3. Plan a real-world design project, applying a range of standard tools and methods, to achieve a set of outcomes.
Courses with unit
This unit will be offered for the final time Semester 1, 2022
Unit information in detail
- Teaching methods, assessment, general skills outcomes and content.
Teaching methods
The unit will be delivered as a one hour lecture and two hour tutorial per week. In a semester, students should
normally expect to spend, on average, twelve and a half hours of total time (formal contact time plus independent
study time) a week on a 12.5 credit point unit of study.
normally expect to spend, on average, twelve and a half hours of total time (formal contact time plus independent
study time) a week on a 12.5 credit point unit of study.
Assessment
Task 1: Blog and Tests Individual 20%
Project 1: Literature Review Individual 30%
Project 2: Submission Report Group 30%
Task 2: Oral Presentation Group 20%
General skills outcomes
Students will be provided with feedback on their progress in attaining the following generic skills:
• Ability to synthesise knowledge • Critical thinking skills
• Design and creative thinking skills
• Problem solving skills, including the ability to tackle unfamiliar problems
• Communications skills,
• Organisational skills
• Teamwork
• Ability to work independently.
• Ability to synthesise knowledge • Critical thinking skills
• Design and creative thinking skills
• Problem solving skills, including the ability to tackle unfamiliar problems
• Communications skills,
• Organisational skills
• Teamwork
• Ability to work independently.
Content
Topics for discussion may include:
Concepts of design thinking (e.g. ideation, prototyping and refining; critique, reflection, integrative thinking; humancenteredness; empathy)
Methods of design thinking (e.g. ill-structured problem solving; collaboration; creating an organisational culture to bring
ideas to reality profitably; research and user modelling)
- Use of software tools to model project and results
- Use of a range of mixed methods to explore and develop project
- Use of standard tools, Microsoft Word, PowerPoint, to develop project outcomes.
Concepts of design thinking (e.g. ideation, prototyping and refining; critique, reflection, integrative thinking; humancenteredness; empathy)
Methods of design thinking (e.g. ill-structured problem solving; collaboration; creating an organisational culture to bring
ideas to reality profitably; research and user modelling)
- Use of software tools to model project and results
- Use of a range of mixed methods to explore and develop project
- Use of standard tools, Microsoft Word, PowerPoint, to develop project outcomes.
Study resources
- Reading materials.
Reading materials
Current materials will be available on the Blackboard site.