Design Thinking for the Public Good
PLCY/HBE 748: Design Thinking for the Public Good
This course trains interdisciplinary groups of graduate students to apply the mindsets, methods, and process associated with design thinking (i.e. human-centered design) to solve real world problems. Design thinking is a creative problem solving process that prioritizes ethnographic market research, convergent and divergent thinking, as well as rapid prototyping. Students collaborate with community members to design solutions (products, services, etc.) that are desirable, feasible, and viable. Rooted in a commitment to the public good, the course emphasizes designing with and for communities to address systemic challenges, advance equity, and create positive social impact.
Course Overview
The overall goal of this course is to facilitate student application of the mindsets, methods, and process associated with design thinking (i.e. human-centered design) to solve real world problems.
By the end of the course, students will be able to independently:
Identify how to center solution designs as a response to the voices, experiences, wishes and aspirations of those most directly impacted by the solutions
Develop an understanding of one’s own experiences, intentions, strengths and limitations, motivations and biases as a changemaker relative to the impacted audiences
Identify, define and clearly analyze a problem, recognize opportunities, challenges and the assets of communities as they address the problem, and generate optimal solutions through the application of social innovation in practice
Understand how the context in which a problem is located and solution is imagined shapes and impacts the innovation design and implementation process
Understand how to effectively engage community partners in co-design, evaluation and adaptive learning associated with the innovation
Differentiate between designing for and designing with