DSN 605: Advanced Design Studio II
Prerequisites: Graduate standing in MFA - Design Thinking concentration; DSN 600;
DSN 640
Credit Hours: (3)
This online course will build on Advanced Design Studio I and continue with more in-depth
design thinking, problem seeking, brainstorming and ideation techniques, and strategies.
It will spend more time on the discovery and planning stages of the design process.
Detailed Description of Course
Content: Design thinking methodologies are more fully explored. Individual and collaborative
opportunities to ideate, define and develop solutions to complex design problems are
presented. Design thinking methodologies are built upon. Global design challenges
will be defined by teams. Advanced observations of typical and atypical behaviors
will articulate planning strategies and project design brief(s).
Detailed Description of Conduct of Course
This is an online studio course. Design thinking methodologies are built upon. 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.
Students may develop multiple solutions expressed using multiple media formats. The
focus is on 鈥渆mpathic, intuitive, pattern-recognizing, parallel-processing, and neural-networking鈥�
types of pattern recognition and the ability to construct complex concepts from them.
Integrative methods will favor both the nonlinear and 鈥渕ultidirectional relationships
as a source of inspiration.鈥� Studio and problem based pedagogies along with both individual
and collaborative team-built solutions with be necessary.
Goals and Objectives of this Course
To continue to build 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. collaborate, build consensus, apply leadership, and work in teams;
2. collaborate among and integrate multiple disciplines;
3. encourage spontaneous interactions among members;
4. create an 鈥渆nvironment鈥� where members can experiment, take risks, and explore
the full ranges of their abilities; and
5. integrate the design thinking process.
Communication
The student will be able to:
1. 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鈥檚 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 鈥渟mart鈥� design teams.
Global context
The student will be able to apply:
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 observation strategies, methods, and techniques;
2. apply human behavioral theories; and
3. apply design theories.
Technology
The student must be able to demonstrate the ability to:
1. utilize the "tools of the trade"; and
2. develop assignments using multiple digital formats.
Assessment Measures
May include but are not limited to project(s), activities, assignments, design briefs.
Other Course Information
None
Review and Approval
February 9, 2017