IA40580 Design Thinking

Academic Year 2020/2021

***All UCD Innovation Academy modules are delivered online in the 2020/21 Academic Year. Classes will run from 9.30am –4.30pm each day with a combination of live online classes, self-directed learning and group activities. See https://www.innovators.ie/undergraduate-electives/ for more info and testimonials from our students.***


This module is designed to provide the participant with a comprehensive and in-depth experience of Design Thinking, culminating in the presentation of a creative, innovative solution to a complex real-world challenge of an external host.

The Design Thinking methodology is a proven and repeatable approach that any organisation, business, network or profession can employ to uncover new opportunities, gain new perspectives and insights on problems, and develop innovative solutions of value. It is increasingly being regarded as a core skill in the workplace today with more and more Irish and global organisation adopting this process to address key issues and challenges within their business.

While this module does not require prior experience of Design Thinking, it does require participants to work autonomously and professionally in an environment external to the University, with the ability to deal with the consequential ambiguity that this entails. The facilitator on the module will assist in whatever way he/she can in relation to planning, communication and presentation with the host organisation. The external host organisation will work with the Academy and the students to facilitate them as best they can with regard to gaining access to staff and in some cases customers to explore the Empathy stage of the Design Thinking process.

Over the course of the module, participants will develop their expertise in Design Thinking through experiential learning activities, guest speakers and immersive challenges. The students will be brought through all the stages of the Design Thinking process which will culminate in a 'Solution Presentation to the host organisation. The overall aims of this module are to give participants insights into the optimal implementation of the Design Thinking process; appreciate the various contexts within which it can be used; and apply the process by working on a complex real-world innovation challenge. Working in teams, participants will build empathy with users and multiple stakeholders to develop an insightful understanding of a real-world challenge, then taking an iterative approach they will prototype and present a creative solution informed by their problem statement.

Over the last number of semesters our students have worked with a number of host organisations using the Design Thinking technique to address problems within the business and present possible solutions to senior management from various organisations including Google; IBM; Arnotts, Heat Merchants Group; Musgrave Group; Brown Thomas, Deloitte, Lust for Life, UCD Students Union and PwC.



UCD Innovation Academy

At the UCD Innovation Academy, we are a group of Educator Practitioners with extensive real-world experience as academics, business and social entrepreneurs, tech thinkers, creative professionals and design thinking practitioners.

We take an action-oriented approach to learning, with a combination of individual, group and class tasks and activities, including discussions, presentations and reflection. All of our teaching is grounded in academic rigour, but our focus is on ‘learning by doing’ in a real-world context. Our classes are delivered virtually as well as classroom contact.

**Enrolment on an Innovation Academy module means a commitment to active participation and engagement, which necessitates attendance at all scheduled classes**

www.innovators.ie