Design Systems and Services
Overview
The aim of this unit of study is to introduce students to the principles of systems and service design. The unit provides an introduction to how designers can make a significant contribution to the improvement of existing systems and services and the creation of entirely new ones. The design of systems and service involves both tangible and intangible elements often in the form of high level organizations (public sector and private enterprise), technology, communication, and human behaviours. Innovations are sought that deliver, for example, more efficient processes and procedures, improved ecological performance and sustainable practices, greater customer satisfaction and competitive advantage.
Requisites
02-November-2025
Learning outcomes
Students who successfully complete this unit will be able to:
- Identify the scope of system and service design in relation to business and the design industry
- Apply mapping techniques and methods to visualize the system or service
- Articulate the role design and designers play in the design of systems and services, and how the principles of system and service design broadens the opportunities for designers to apply their creative capabilities over a broader spectrum of business and commerce
- Engage in critical research/investigation and analysis of user(s), their context(s) and the processes relating to the design and development of systems and services
- Undertake work in collaborative interdisciplinary teams in the definition and development of systems/services design projects
- Apply user-centred design principles, scenario-based development techniques and iterative design processes
- Develop well-considered, expressive and visionary design systems and/or service outcomes
Teaching methods
Hawthorn
| Type | Hours per week | Number of weeks | Total (number of hours) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Live Online Studio | 3.00 | 12 weeks | 36 |
| Unspecified Activities Various | 9.50 | 12 weeks | 114 |
| TOTAL | 150 |
Assessment
| Type | Task | Weighting | ULO's |
|---|---|---|---|
| Project 1 | Individual | 30% | 1,2,3,4,5 |
| Project 2 | Group | 70% | 1,2,3,4,5,6,7 |
Content
- Analysis of user need and demographic context of user(s), client/business, community
- Modelling and analysis of individual users, organizations, services and systems
- User-centred design
- Iterative design (design – build/prototype – test/evaluate)
- Scenario-based development techniques
- Sustainable practices
Study resources
Reading materials
A list of reading materials and/or required textbooks will be available in the Unit Outline on Canvas.