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 鈥渃lients鈥� 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鈥� 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 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