Design Thinking and Innovation

This is a project-based design course focusing upon ensuring that products meet the needs of their users. The course introduces observational methods, brainstorming, rapid prototyping, user testing, business models, and the social, marketing and Engineering concerns that impinge upon products. Students will do weekly project assignments aimed at illustrating the concepts discussed in class and readings. Students will also work in teams to plan, design and develop a product to the prototype stage. Learning is supported through lectures, discussions, readings, in-class exercises, and through a series of formal design reviews that encourage reflection on students’ process and their insights. Students will spend significant time observing, listening to, Analyzing, storytelling, and otherwise engaging users as they develop and implement meaningful and transformative designs.