Overview

Through this unit students will collaborate across different disciplines with the purpose of designing innovative, research-led solutions for complex, real-world problems. In teams, students will learn appropriate research methods, creative problem solving and human-centred design processes. Students are expected to work on projects with high levels of self-direction, personal responsibility and commitment to inclusive teamwork.

Requisites

Prerequisites

Rule(s)

Admission in a postgraduate course.

Teaching periods
Location
Start and end dates
Last self-enrolment date
Census date
Last withdraw without fail date
Results released date
Date Semester 1
Location
Hawthorn
Start and end dates
03-March-2025
01-June-2025
Last self-enrolment date
16-March-2025
Census date
31-March-2025
Last withdraw without fail date
24-April-2025
Results released date
08-July-2025

Learning outcomes

Students who successfully complete this unit will be able to:

  • Evaluate and apply research methods to understand, re-frame and inform creative problem solving for a complex problem
  • Construct different prototyping innovation techniques to explore design ideas that blend technical, human and economic considerations
  • Effectively contribute to an innovation culture through inclusive decision making, open mind-set and empathetic approaches to collaboration activities
  • Produce tangible design ideas that create value within project constraints and timelines
  • Justify project outcomes effectively at different stages of project development using a range of communication techniques
  • Implement appropriate project management and communication tools for collaboration

Teaching methods

Hawthorn

Activity Type Activity Total Hours Number of Weeks Hours Per Week
On-campus Studio 36 12 weeks 3
Specified Activities Various 60 12 weeks 5
Unspecified Activities Various 54 12 weeks 4.5
Total Hours: 150 Total Hours (per week): 12.5

Assessment

Type Task Weighting ULO's
Reflection Individual  30%  3,6 
Project 1 Individual/Group  30%  2,4,5 
Project 2 Individual/Group  40% 1,2,3,4,5
       

Content

Topics may include:

  • Innovation and design thinking tools and processes
  • Prototyping techniques and user testing processes
  • Value proposition and business model canvas tools
  • Design research methods
  • Project management practices
  • Divergent and convergent thinking
  • Interdisciplinary teamwork
  • Innovation culture, mindset and language
  • Ethical and responsible conduct
  • Professional project documentation and presentation techniques

Study resources

Reading materials

A list of reading materials and/or required textbooks will be available in the Unit Outline on Canvas.