Overview

This unit develops self-awareness as a collaborative designer; advancing skills in futures thinking, experimentation, prototyping and radical innovation by curating innovation methods for complex problems. It features industry and/or Design Factory Global Network partnerships. DFM Applied Innovation units work in unison, where a dynamic learning plan guides authentic learning experiences; such as sprints, workshops, in-depth projects and internships. Students explore professional capabilities; scaffolding mastering of design activities, research-led design, being a collaborative designer, and design facilitation and/or leadership. Working on diverse challenges gives students opportunity to identify areas they may specialise in design fields.

Requisites

Prerequisites
DDD60030 DFM: Applied Innovation Studio 1
DDD70031 DFM: Applied Innovation Studio 2

AND

Admission into MA-DESG Master of Design

Teaching periods
Location
Start and end dates
Last self-enrolment date
Census date
Last withdraw without fail date
Results released 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:

  • Research through design to inform and iterate a complex, societal and/or commercial challenge.
  • Investigate radical innovation practices applied to design outcomes across diverse sectors.
  • Create prototypes to demonstrate proof of concept.
  • Construct documentation to communicate design value and intent to a cross-cultural audience.
  • Develop design solutions that are contextually appropriate, responsible and sustainable in response to complex project briefs.
  • Interpret political, economic, societal, environmental, legal, ethical and technological factors to inform designing for the future.
  • Appraise different leadership styles and stakeholder engagement techniques relevant to design innovation contexts.

Teaching methods

Hawthorn

Type Hours per week Number of weeks Total (number of hours)
Face to Face Contact (Phasing out)
Studio
6.00 12 weeks 72
Specified Learning Activities (Phasing out)
Various
2.50 12 weeks 30
Unspecified Learning Activities (Phasing out)
Independent Learning
16.00 12 weeks 192
TOTAL294

Assessment

Type Task Weighting ULO's
Final PortfolioIndividual 100% 1,2,3,4,5,6,7 

Content

  • Contemporary societal and commercial challenges
  • Professional industry partnerships
  • Radical and incremental innovation
  • Research through design
  • Communicating and engaging with cross-cultural audiences
  • Futures and strategic thinking
  • Being a responsible designer
  • Prototyping methods and skills
  • Delivering professional design outcomes
  • High performing interdisciplinary teams
  • Innovation culture; including curiosity, resilience and open mindset

Study resources

Reading materials

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