Design Thinking and Innovation aims to introduce students to design as a process of inquiry, exploration and transformation. The module develops students’ ability to investigate real-world challenges, identify opportunities and generate meaningful responses through creative, collaborative and iterative approaches. Through the exploration of human-centred design, systems thinking and contemporary innovation practices, students are encouraged to understand how ideas emerge, evolve and contribute to positive change across social, cultural, environmental and technological contexts. The module concentrates on four interconnected aspects: • Understanding challenges: To investigate contemporary issues and opportunities through observation, inquiry and critical reflection. • Understanding people and systems: To explore the relationships between individuals, communities, environments and broader systems that shape design challenges and opportunities. • Understanding innovation: To develop creative approaches to idea generation, experimentation and iterative development. • Understanding change: To examine how design can contribute to meaningful, responsible and future-oriented transformations across different contexts and scales. The module forms part of the Integrated Future Studies (IFS).
A Identify and describe selected contemporary challenges and opportunities relevant to design across social, cultural, environmental and technological contexts. B Recognise and discuss relationships between people, communities, environments and systems when considering design challenges. C Use introductory design thinking methods to investigate simple design problems and generate initial ideas. D Communicate initial design responses developed through collaborative and iterative learning activities. E Describe and reflect upon the role of design thinking and innovation in addressing contemporary challenges and supporting future academic and professional development.
The module is delivered through a combination of seminars and project-based learning activities. Lectures introduce key concepts, methods and frameworks related to design thinking, innovation, systems thinking and human-centred design, providing students with a foundation for understanding how designers engage with contemporary challenges and opportunities. Drawing upon examples from a range of design disciplines and real-world contexts, lectures encourage students to explore how design can contribute to meaningful and responsible change. Seminars and workshops promote active learning through inquiry, collaboration, idea generation, experimentation and reflection. Students are encouraged to investigate contemporary issues, explore relationships between people, systems and environments, and develop creative responses through iterative processes. Learning activities support the development of critical thinking, teamwork and communication skills while fostering an understanding of design as a process of exploration, testing and continuous improvement. Tutorial feedback, peer discussion and project reviews support the progressive development of coursework, encouraging students to refine their ideas, reflect on their learning and engage constructively with feedback throughout the design process.