Design Thinking is a term used to describe processes involving the application of user research, ideation, participation and collaboration for problem-solving and innovation in a wide range of cultural contexts. In practice, Design Thinking embraces rapid iteration, prototyping, co-design and participatory design, empathic design, design probes and other ethnographic and user-centred methods. This course makes a critical examination of this domain, considering its processes, products and relationship to other human-centred design methodologies. The course asks students to apply design thinking methods in their own disciplinary practice through conducting research, concept development, context analysis and creative production. Students will also investigate and critically interpret the defining concepts and theories of this domain. This course has relevance to a broad set of disciplines and especially to design practitioners seeking new approaches for ideation, engagement and innovation.
Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion, students will have the knowledge and skills to:
- interpret and apply Design Thinking theories, concepts, and processes;
- creatively adapt to the technical and cultural constraints of a specific context;
- conduct and interpret user research and apply the findings to a design process; and
- critically reflect on practice and substantiate design outcomes with research and rationale.
Indicative Assessment
- Participation (10) [LO 1,2,3,4]
- User Research report, 1200 words (20) [LO 1,3,4]
- Design project (50) [LO 1,2,3,4]
- Project rationale, 1200 words (20) [LO 1,3,4]
- Assessment includes periodic critique and review sessions that provide formative feedback on work in progress. (null) [LO null]
The ANU uses Turnitin to enhance student citation and referencing techniques, and to assess assignment submissions as a component of the University's approach to managing Academic Integrity. While the use of Turnitin is not mandatory, the ANU highly recommends Turnitin is used by both teaching staff and students. For additional information regarding Turnitin please visit the ANU Online website.
Workload
130 hours of total student learning time made up from:a) 42 hours of contact comprising lectures, tutorials / workshops.
b) 88 hours of independent student research, reading and writing.
Inherent Requirements
Not applicable
Requisite and Incompatibility
Prescribed Texts
Not applicable
Preliminary Reading
Brown, T., & Katz, B. (2009). Change by design: How design thinking transforms organizations and inspires innovation. New York: Harper Business.Cross, N. (2011). Design thinking: Understanding how designers think and work. Oxford: Berg.
Kelley, T., & Littman, J. (2001). The art of innovation: Lessons in creativity from IDEO, America's leading design firm. New York: Currency/Doubleday.
Norman, D. A. (2002). The design of everyday things. New York: Basic Books.
Patnaik, D., & Mortensen, P. (2009). Wired to care: How companies prosper when they create widespread empathy. Upper Saddle River, NJ: FT Press.
Rapid viz a new method for the rapid visualization of ideas. (2006). Boston: Thomson Course Technology PTR.
Verganti, R. (2009). Design-driven innovation: Changing the rules of competition by radically innovating what things mean. Boston, MA: Harvard Business Press.
Fees
Tuition fees are for the academic year indicated at the top of the page.
Commonwealth Support (CSP) Students
If you have been offered a Commonwealth supported place, your fees are set by the Australian Government for each course. At ANU 1 EFTSL is 48 units (normally 8 x 6-unit courses). More information about your student contribution amount for each course at Fees.
- Student Contribution Band:
- 12
- Unit value:
- 6 units
If you are a domestic graduate coursework student with a Domestic Tuition Fee (DTF) place or international student you will be required to pay course tuition fees (see below). Course tuition fees are indexed annually. Further information for domestic and international students about tuition and other fees can be found at Fees.
Where there is a unit range displayed for this course, not all unit options below may be available.
| Units | EFTSL |
|---|---|
| 6.00 | 0.12500 |
Course fees
- Domestic fee paying students
| Year | Fee |
|---|---|
| 2021 | $3180 |
- International fee paying students
| Year | Fee |
|---|---|
| 2021 | $4890 |
Offerings, Dates and Class Summary Links
ANU utilises MyTimetable to enable students to view the timetable for their enrolled courses, browse, then self-allocate to small teaching activities / tutorials so they can better plan their time. Find out more on the Timetable webpage.
Class summaries, if available, can be accessed by clicking on the View link for the relevant class number.
Winter Session
| Class number | Class start date | Last day to enrol | Census date | Class end date | Mode Of Delivery | Class Summary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4670 | 21 Jun 2022 | 29 Jun 2022 | 08 Jul 2022 | 22 Jul 2022 | In Person | View |