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:

Upon successful completion of this course, students will have the knowledge and skills to:

1. Interpret and apply Design Thinking theories, concepts, and processes.
2. Creatively adapt to the technical and cultural constraints of a specific context.
3. Conduct and interpret user research and apply the findings to a design process.
4. Critically reflect on practice and substantiate design outcomes with research and rationale.

 

Staff Feedback

Students will be given feedback in the following forms in this course:

• written comments
• verbal comments
• feedback to whole class, groups, individuals, focus group etc

Student Feedback

ANU is committed to the demonstration of educational excellence and regularly seeks feedback from students. Students are encouraged to offer feedback directly to their Course Convener or through their College and Course representatives (if applicable). The feedback given in these surveys is anonymous and provides the Colleges, University Education Committee and Academic Board with opportunities to recognise excellent teaching, and opportunities for improvement. The Surveys and Evaluation website provides more information on student surveys at ANU and reports on the feedback provided on ANU courses.

Class Schedule

Week/Session	Summary of Activities	Assessment
1	Welcome and course introduction. Design Thinking hands-on.
2	Part 1: Empathise. Workshop: Designing and conducting effective user interviews.
3	Guest: Leah Heiss http://www.leahheiss.com Part 1: Empathise. Workshop: Cultural probes and interview alternatives.
4	Guest: Dr Beck Davis http://www.hellobeckdavis.com Part 1: Define. Workshop: Synthesising user information.
5	Guest: Gerard Rummery (Resmed) Part 1: Define > Ideate. Workshop: From synthesis to ideation.
6	Part 1: Ideate. Workshop: Ideation outside the box. WIP round-up.
7	Part 2: Prototype. Workshop: Exploratory prototyping.	Part 1 in-class presentations.
8	Part 2: Prototype. (Test) Workshop: Prototyping for context. Feedback and iteration.
9	Part 2: Prototype. Workshop: Feedback and refinement.
10	Part 2: Test. Workshop: Prototype testing.
11	Part 2: Next steps. Workshop: Synthesising and analysing test results. Next steps.	Submit Part 2.
12	Course wrap up.	Part 2 in-class presentations.
13		Submit Critical Reflection

Assessment Summary

Assessment task	Value	Due Date	Return of assessment	Learning Outcomes
Design Thinking project - Part 1	35 %	17/04/2019	01/05/2019	1,2,3,4
Design Thinking project - Part 2	45 %	24/05/2019	12/06/2019	1,2,3,4
Design Thinking project - Reflection	20 %	05/06/2019	19/06/2019	1,4

* If the Due Date and Return of Assessment date are blank, see the Assessment Tab for specific Assessment Task details

Policies

ANU has educational policies, procedures and guidelines, which are designed to ensure that staff and students are aware of the University’s academic standards, and implement them. Students are expected to have read the Academic Misconduct Rule before the commencement of their course. Other key policies and guidelines include:

• Student Assessment (Coursework) Policy and Procedure
• Special Assessment Consideration Policy and General Information 
• Student Surveys and Evaluations
• Deferred Examinations
• Student Complaint Resolution Policy and Procedure

Assessment Requirements

The ANU is using 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. For additional information regarding Turnitin please visit the ANU Online website. In rare cases where online submission using Turnitin software is not technically possible; or where not using Turnitin software has been justified by the Course Convener and approved by the Associate Dean (Education) on the basis of the teaching model being employed; students shall submit assessment online via ‘Wattle’ outside of Turnitin, or failing that in hard copy, or through a combination of submission methods as approved by the Associate Dean (Education). The submission method is detailed below.

Moderation of Assessment

Marks that are allocated during Semester are to be considered provisional until formalised by the College examiners meeting at the end of each Semester. If appropriate, some moderation of marks might be applied prior to final results being released.

Assessment Task 1

Design Thinking project - Part 1

This course centres around one major project conducted across the semester. It requires you to learn about Design Thinking, to apply Design Thinking processes in your own design work, and to critically reflect on your findings. The project is aligned to the stages of a conventional Design Thinking process: Empathise, Define, Ideate, Prototype, Test. For each component you will research and analyse relevant concepts, theories and processes, and adapt and apply them in your own design project.

Part 1 involves the Empathise, Define and Ideate stages. In the Empathise stage you will identify, evaluate, adapt and apply suitable processes to gain user insight. You will synthesise and analyse your user information to Define relevant problems or areas on which to focus. The Ideate stage requires you to identify, adapt and apply relevant ideation methods and generate a range of creative responses for your context.

The project will be submitted as a document and in-class presentation. The project will be developed through the weekly workshops as well as independent study. Full project details, texts, materials and rubric available via the course website.

Assessment Task 2

Design Thinking project - Part 2

This course centres around one major project conducted across the semester. It requires you to learn about Design Thinking, to apply Design Thinking processes in your own design work, and to critically reflect on your findings. The project is aligned to the stages of a conventional Design Thinking process: Empathise, Define, Ideate, Prototype, Test. For each component you will research and analyse relevant concepts, theories and processes, and adapt and apply them in your own design project.

Part 2 involves the Prototype and Test stages. In the Prototype stage you will devise and develop a prototype based on your Part 1 findings. There is no set format for the prototype; it should be based on your Part 1 outcomes as well as your own expertise and interests. In the Test stage, you will identify, adapt and apply a suitable testing process for your aims and context. To conclude, you will reflect on your Test results and define some next steps for your project.

The project will be submitted as a document and in-class presentation. The project will be developed through the weekly workshops as well as independent study. Full project details, texts, materials and rubric available via the course website.

Assessment Task 3

Design Thinking project - Reflection

For this assessment you are required to produce a critical reflection of Design Thinking informed by relevant texts, case studies and your own experience. Full project details, texts, materials and rubric available via the course website.

Academic Integrity

Academic integrity is a core part of our culture as a community of scholars. At its heart, academic integrity is about behaving ethically. This means that all members of the community commit to honest and responsible scholarly practice and to upholding these values with respect and fairness. The Australian National University commits to embedding the values of academic integrity in our teaching and learning. We ensure that all members of our community understand how to engage in academic work in ways that are consistent with, and actively support academic integrity. The ANU expects staff and students to uphold high standards of academic integrity and act ethically and honestly, to ensure the quality and value of the qualification that you will graduate with. The University has policies and procedures in place to promote academic integrity and manage academic misconduct. Visit the following Academic honesty & plagiarism website for more information about academic integrity and what the ANU considers academic misconduct. The ANU offers a number of services to assist students with their assignments, examinations, and other learning activities. The Academic Skills and Learning Centre offers a number of workshops and seminars that you may find useful for your studies.

Online Submission

You will be required to electronically sign a declaration as part of the submission of your assignment. Please keep a copy of the assignment for your records. Unless an exemption has been approved by the Associate Dean (Education) submission must be through Turnitin.

Hardcopy Submission

For some forms of assessment (hand written assignments, art works, laboratory notes, etc.) hard copy submission is appropriate when approved by the Associate Dean (Education). Hard copy submissions must utilise the Assignment Cover Sheet. Please keep a copy of tasks completed for your records.

Late Submission

Late submission of assessment tasks without an extension are penalised at the rate of 5% of the possible marks available per working day or part thereof. Late submission of assessment tasks is not accepted after 10 working days after the due date, or on or after the date specified in the course outline for the return of the assessment item. Late submission is not accepted for take-home examinations.

Referencing Requirements

Accepted academic practice for referencing sources that you use in presentations can be found via the links on the Wattle site, under the file named “ANU and College Policies, Program Information, Student Support Services and Assessment”. Alternatively, you can seek help through the Students Learning Development website.

Extensions and Penalties

Extensions and late submission of assessment pieces are covered by the Student Assessment (Coursework) Policy and Procedure. The Course Convener may grant extensions for assessment pieces that are not examinations or take-home examinations. If you need an extension, you must request an extension in writing on or before the due date. If you have documented and appropriate medical evidence that demonstrates you were not able to request an extension on or before the due date, you may be able to request it after the due date.

Privacy Notice

The ANU has made a number of third party, online, databases available for students to use. Use of each online database is conditional on student end users first agreeing to the database licensor’s terms of service and/or privacy policy. Students should read these carefully. In some cases student end users will be required to register an account with the database licensor and submit personal information, including their: first name; last name; ANU email address; and other information.
In cases where student end users are asked to submit ‘content’ to a database, such as an assignment or short answers, the database licensor may only use the student’s ‘content’ in accordance with the terms of service – including any (copyright) licence the student grants to the database licensor. Any personal information or content a student submits may be stored by the licensor, potentially offshore, and will be used to process the database service in accordance with the licensors terms of service and/or privacy policy.
If any student chooses not to agree to the database licensor’s terms of service or privacy policy, the student will not be able to access and use the database. In these circumstances students should contact their lecturer to enquire about alternative arrangements that are available.

Distribution of grades policy

Academic Quality Assurance Committee monitors the performance of students, including attrition, further study and employment rates and grade distribution, and College reports on quality assurance processes for assessment activities, including alignment with national and international disciplinary and interdisciplinary standards, as well as qualification type learning outcomes.

Since first semester 1994, ANU uses a grading scale for all courses. This grading scale is used by all academic areas of the University.

Support for students

The University offers students support through several different services. You may contact the services listed below directly or seek advice from your Course Convener, Student Administrators, or your College and Course representatives (if applicable).

• ANU Health, safety & wellbeing for medical services, counselling, mental health and spiritual support
• ANU Diversity and inclusion for students with a disability or ongoing or chronic illness
• ANU Dean of Students for confidential, impartial advice and help to resolve problems between students and the academic or administrative areas of the University
• ANU Academic Skills and Learning Centre supports you make your own decisions about how you learn and manage your workload.
• ANU Counselling Centre promotes, supports and enhances mental health and wellbeing within the University student community.
• ANUSA supports and represents undergraduate and ANU College students
• PARSA supports and represents postgraduate and research students