Applied Design Thinking (ABPL90426)

Graduate courseworkPoints: 12.5Online

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Overview

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January - Online
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How might design thinking strategies help you resolve complex, ill-defined and changing issues within the built environment? In this subject you will apply design thinking techniques to understand and empathise with the end user, then to define, ideate, prototype and test solutions to complex problems. Traditional linear approaches to problem solving will be replaced with generative and hands-on strategies aimed at opening up possibilities for testing. Analysing and synthesising information will help iteratively define the problem issues. Co-design strategies and alternative ways to view and resolve problems will reveal and challenge assumptions. Whether you come from a design or non-design background, this subject will open new possibilities for complex problem solving by applying critical and creative design thinking approaches.

Intended learning outcomes

On completion of this subject students should be able to:

  • Apply iterative design thinking strategies for complex problem solving.
  • Experiment, disrupt paradigms, and work creatively towards transformative solutions within unpredictable settings.
  • Identify ideas for how space might improve health and wellbeing.
  • Present effectively using compelling arguments and appropriate design nomenclature mixing word and visual communication.

Generic skills

  • Applying design thinking skills to built environment issues.
  • Cognitive skills to review, analyse, consolidate and synthesise knowledge, forming arguments from conflicting evidence;
  • Using divergent thinking and experimentation to explore complex issues and suggest possible solutions;
  • Use design thinking to generate and evaluate complex ideas
  • Time management and planning through organising workloads and substantial projects.
  • Presenting effectively using compelling arguments and appropriate design nomenclature.
  • Teamwork through online discussions and peer feedback.

Last updated: 4 March 2025