| Unit name | Tools and Methods for Innovation: Design and Systems Thinking |
|---|---|
| Unit code | INOVM0004 |
| Credit points | 20 |
| Level of study | M/7 |
| Teaching block(s) |
Teaching Block 1 (weeks 1 - 12) |
| Unit director | Dr. Balis |
| Open unit status | Not open |
| Pre-requisites |
None |
| Co-requisites |
None |
| School/department | Centre for Innovation |
| Faculty | Faculty of Arts |
To innovate you need new ways of looking at problems to find novel and creative solutions that may have been missed from a purely analytical problem solving approach. This unit looks at various factors to understand the bigger picture of the problem and how the complex systems involved interconnect (systems thinking) whilst bringing together a human centered problem solving focus (design thinking) in order to use 'frame creation', an approach which pulls all of these ideas together and presents them in a logical strategy for action in order to create innovative solutions to design challenges.
In this unit you will learn how paradigms of thinking and methods of work developed from the legacy and practice of industrial design can help structure creative aims and processes, and how they may be used to develop innovative solutions to a variety of challenges and problems. In particular, you will develop understandings and skills in the process of “frame creation” as a problem-solving tool not only for projects with a clear material design dimension, but for other challenges as well.
The unit aims to:
Students successfully completing the unit will have gained:
Lectures, workshops and small group breakout sessions
This unit takes the view that innovative problem solving through the use of design thinking, systems thinking and frame creation can be learned through repeated practice. Students will undertake a series of innovation challenges where they will put into practice what they have learnt in the lectures and workshops.
Presentation in groups (oral and written/visual form) of the innovative design solutions to the challenges and review of applying design thinking, systems thinking and frame creation theories.
ILO 1, 3, 4 & 5
A reflective critique on the innovation challenges including reference to case studies and/or discussions, debates or trends from the broader industry. ILO 1, 2, 3, 4 & 5
Total: 100% Coursework
If this unit has a Resource List, you will normally find a link to it in the Blackboard area for the unit. Sometimes there will be a separate link for each weekly topic.
If you are unable to access a list through Blackboard, you can also find it via the Resource Lists homepage. Search for the list by the unit name or code (e.g. INOVM0004).
How much time the unit requires
Each credit equates to 10 hours of total student input. For example a 20 credit unit will take you 200 hours
of study to complete. Your total learning time is made up of contact time, directed learning tasks,
independent learning and assessment activity.
See the Faculty workload statement relating to this unit for more information.
Assessment
The Board of Examiners will consider all cases where students have failed or not completed the assessments required for credit.
The Board considers each student's outcomes across all the units which contribute to each year's programme of study. If you have self-certificated your absence from an
assessment, you will normally be required to complete it the next time it runs (this is usually in the next assessment period).
The Board of Examiners will take into account any extenuating circumstances and operates
within the Regulations and Code of Practice for Taught Programmes.
