Design and Innovation

Strategic, user-driven design of products, communications and even the workplace can literally change an organisation and create new markets. Cutting edge companies in a wide range of industries use design to fundamentally restructure their business or re-invent themselves.

This course will address how strategic design can create value for the firm as well as for society as a whole. To get a head start on the course, we strongly recommend that you keep an eye open for the SSES weekend workshop Design Thinking.

Intended learning outcomes

After this course you should be able to:

• analyse and discuss the context of innovation and design
• understand and show knowledge about how design can create value for the firm as well as for society in general
• argue for and use basic models of strategic and user-driven design development in innovation processes
• communicate basics in strategic and user-driven design, brands and branding to as well industry professionals as laymen
• identify usages of design as a strategic tool in product development, market communication and company growth
• demonstrate knowledge of the development and management of design oriented firms. 

Structure

In order for you as a student to be able to take SSES courses they are all scheduled after your daily classes (or workday), with some margin time to ensure you can commute to campus, pick up a coffee and arrive on time.

This course runs on Tuesdays and Thursdays in two to three hour sessions for some seven weeks, but for a detailed timing check out the schedule in the box to the right. Teaching will incorporate lectures, debates, and exercises, as well as presentation from leaders in the field.
 

Assessment

• Final group paper or project
• In-class written and oral assignments
• Contribution in class and group activities