Handbook : Unit set informationEdith Cowan University

Unit Set Information

Design Thinking Specialisation

Effective from 01-JAN-2021 : Code SPAASC

This specialisation will appeal to non-design related practitioners and graduates who wish to upgrade their practice by including design ability as the means to understand and apply the role of empathy in user-centred innovation. The specialisation provides students with advanced cross-disciplinary design knowledge and skills through authentic design projects that address real-world problems. Students will be introduced to design thinking as a means of exploring ways of investigating and understanding complex challenges, and user-focused methods of generating ideas. Students will be encouraged to view the design process as a collaborative activity that generates innovative outcomes through empathy-building and prototyping.

Disclaimer

This unit set information may be updated and amended immediately prior to semester. To ensure you have the correct outline, please check it again at the beginning of semester. In particular please check the unit and unit set offerings, as these differ according to course delivery location.

This Specialisation can be studied in the following courses:

• Master of Business Administration
• Master of Business Administration International

Mode of Delivery

On Campus at Mount Lawley
Online

Production Experience Requirement

All three units in the Design Thinking Specialisation require students to take part in an existing industry project and/or examine a real life project. This could be written in the units as collaboration with industry partners.

Attendance requirements

Students are required to participate in workshops, as either participants or facilitators. Workshops will be related to real life projects from the service design and design thinking profession.

Implications of failing

Due to professional competency skill development associated with this Unit, student attendance/participation within listed in-class activities and/or online activities including discussion boards is compulsory. Students failing to meet participation standards as outlined in the unit plan may be awarded an I Grade (Fail - incomplete). Students who are unable to meet this requirement for medical or other reasons must seek the approval of the unit coordinator.

Learning Outcomes

1. Reflect critically on advanced design philosophies, principles, methods and processes, to demonstrate mastery of inter-disciplinary design practice or scholarship. (AQF Masters CW: 1,2,3)
2. Apply communication and collaboration skills to design innovative contributions to inter-disciplinary design practice or scholarship. (AQF Masters CW: 6,7,8)
3. Use high level self management skills to initiate, plan and execute a substantial design project. (AQF Masters CW: 9,10)
4. Apply advanced design research processes and methods to investigate, evaluate and synthesise complex problems, concepts and theories in inter-disciplinary design projects. (AQF Masters CW: 4,5)

Related Careers

Strategic Designer, Service Designer, UX (User Experience Designer), Policy Designer, Organisation Designer

Employment Opportunities

Employment opportunities include assisting organisations, companies, and communities to innovate through building empathy, understanding stakeholders' needs, co-creating possibilities with stakeholders, and developing socially, environmentally and financially sustainable solutions.

Specialisation Structure

Students must complete the following three units (60 credit points):

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