Study Guide

Descriptions

The Design Plugin Medium – Design Thinking Expert training is a 30 ECTS course completed as online studies, which is based on the wider Design Plugin Maxi – Higher Education Diploma 60 ECTS package.
The current definitions of design and the possibilities of design thinking apply to all fields, from technology to business and from social to creative fields. Design expertise can be utilized in all kinds of development, searching for and finding development opportunities, creating understanding and relevance, and implementing the needs for change that follow from overall understanding. There is no need for earlier design expertise, and gained design understanding and expertise will merge with previous expertise and professional background (Design Plugin principle). In development work, human-oriented design thinking acts as a "glue" connecting different fields, as a red thread, taking into account and accepting different perspectives towards common goals.

The Design Plugin Medium – Design Thinking Expert training includes 30 ECTS credits in the central areas of design, which is based on design thinking and breaks down into the core issues of design:

1. Introduction to user orientation 5 credits
User orientation is the first core part of the design point of view: basically, we always design and develop things for others than ourselves. The course includes the Design Plugin Mini online course that can be completed independently (2 credits) and the user-oriented introduction that can be implemented as distance education.
2. Visual communication 5 credits
With the help of visual communication, it is possible to make information, thoughts and ideas mutually understandable. During the study period, e.g. forms, colors and massing are observed and various pictorial exercises are done.
3. Introduction to ideation, prototyping and conceptualization 5 credits
Ideation and prototyping are creative skills, the results of which are filtered and refined into concrete design concepts. The course introduces you to ideation methods, prototyping possibilities and concept design through lectures and common practical exercises.
4. Design thinking and service design 15 cr
The basic starting point and background philosophy of the previous courses, design thinking, is deepened by mirroring it in the broader phenomena of our lives on this earth. Service design expands design expertise to a service perspective and broader entities, and offers different tools for development work in different work communities.

Design Plugin Medium – Design Thinking Expert training 30 credits is completed during one academic year (autumn+spring).

Objective

After Design Plugin studies the student is able to use design thinking in work.

Development

Innopeda - Innovation pedagogics

Further information

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