This course introduces design thinking and its application to developing new products, services and business organizations. Design Thinking is an interdisciplinary, human-centered approach to innovation. Design Thinking aims to help large and small companies (e.g. startups) to change and innovate. The design thinking practiced in this course partly follows the IDEO approach which combines creative thinking and logical or rational thinking, and involves a process consisting of empathy, ideas and prototypes. Students will learn design principles, methodologies and frameworks, and apply them through exercises and projects. The course is divided into four main aspects, all of which are interconnected but which we also emphasize separately: (1) design methodology (e.g. design process, ethnographic research, brainstorming, integrative thinking, design roles, team composition), (2) "things" that will be designed (for example, the product, service, or business itself), for example the business model), (3) human attitudes and behavior (towards design), and (4) the design context. Design context refers to the broader emerging context for design and business, in particular, society (including different cultures, user personas and physical environments). Learning will be primarily experiential - through case analysis, group exercises, and team projects. Prototypes using easily accessible materials will be expected and guest speakers with practical experience in Design Thinking may also be invited to support learning.
