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DSN 705

DSN 705: Advanced Studio IV

Prerequisite: Graduate standing in MFA - Design Thinking concentration; DSN 700

Credit Hours: (3)

Building on earlier Advanced Design Studios, this online course will be the final interdisciplinary team studio and students will work to deliver comprehensive solutions for “clients” in emerging economies all over the world.


Detailed Description of Course

Content: Design thinking methodologies are built upon. Individual and collaborative opportunities to ideate, define and develop solutions to complex design problems are presented.  Design thinking methodologies are used to generate a final solution as a team.  Prototypical applications will be the result of these efforts and support the testing of research questions.  Boundaries will be crossed between technology, business and human values.  Students will use human-centered approaches, be prototype driven and mindful of the design process.  Topics may include design processes, innovation methodologies, need finding, human factors, visualization, rapid prototyping, team dynamics, storytelling and project leadership.


Detailed Description of Conduct of Course

This is an online studio course. Students may work in interdisciplinary teams to synthesize information about a design challenge and begin to understand the continuum of innovation as a system of overlapping areas.


Goals and Objectives of this Course

To master basic design thinking strategies, the student must:
    1. identify and define relevant aspects of a design problem [goals, objectives, performance criteria];
    2. gather appropriate and necessary information and research findings to solve the problem;
    3. ideate, evaluate, select, and apply information and research findings to design solutions;
    4. synthesize information and generate multiple concepts and/or multiple design responses to programmatic (specific issues outlined in the design brief) requirements
    5. demonstrate creative thinking and originality through presentation of a variety of ideas, approaches, and concepts;
    6. engage in problem seeking;
    7. become adept at the process of brainstorming; and
    8. understand creativity theories in terms of the value of empathy and the elements & principles of design.


Collaboration

The student will be able to:
    1. apply team work structures and dynamics;
    2. integrate practices;
    3. collaborate, build consensus, develop leadership skills and work in teams;
    4. collaborate among and integrate multiple disciplines’ perspectives;
    5. encourage spontaneous interactions among members;
    6. create an "environment" where members can experiment, take risks, and explore the full range of their faculties.


Communication

The student will be able to:
    1. use communication techniques and technologies appropriate to a range of purposes and audiences;
    2. express ideas clearly in oral, written and graphic formats;
    3. apply design solutions through a variety of mediums;
    4. allow project thinking to grow and trace that growth through the generation of artifacts for review;
    5. write a project brief
    6. process information using convergent/divergent thinking and analysis and synthesis strategies; and
    7. understand design issues in order to define the problem in a manner appropriate to the client’s needs.


Management Strategies

The student will be able to understand:
    1. the elements of design management strategies [business development, financial management, strategic planning, and/or project management];
    2. professional ethics;
    3. market types and client types; and
    4. the utility of “smart” design teams.


Global context

The student will be able to describe:
    1. the influence of globalization and its implications for the practice of design thinking;
    2. sustainability concepts, theories, issues and applications related to design thinking; and
    3. historical precedent to inform design solutions; the major social, political, and physical influences affecting historical changes in art and design


Research methods

The student must be able to:
    1. use basic observation strategies, methods, and techniques;
     2. apply human behavioral theories; and
    3. apply design theories.

Technology

The student must demonstrate the ability to:
    1. develop assignments using multiple digital formats.


Assessment Measures

May include but are not limited to project(s), activities, assignments, design brief


Other Course Information

None

 

Review and Approval

February 9, 2017