Module Details

Module Code: DESI9002
Title: DesignThinking for Industry4.0
Long Title: Design Thinking for Industry 4.0
NFQ Level: Expert
Valid From: Semester 1 - 2021/22 ( September 2021 )
Duration: 1 Semester
Credits: 10
Field of Study: 2140 - Design Studies
Module Delivered in: 2 programme(s)
Module Description: Design Thinking is human-centred and grounded on key thinking paradigms of being holistic, uninhibited, collaborative, iterative, and visual, the design thinking approach fosters integrative and cross-disciplinary thinking. This module aims to provide the learner with the necessary knowledge, skills and attitudes to apply a design thinking mindset and methodology within an Industry 4.0 context. In response to identified problems, learners will operate within interdisciplinary teams in adopting a design thinking approach to identify and research complex problems and develop creative and innovative solutions. Reflection will form a key strategy that will be used by students to gain deep learning to support a lifelong learning mindset and to critique the theory discourse.
 
Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this module the learner will be able to:
# Learning Outcome Description
LO1 In terms of innovation enabler, critically appraise the design thinking philosophy and methodology within the wider methodological landscape.
LO2 Within a design thinking approach, apply methods of research and enquiry to identify complex problems and opportunities, then develop and evaluate innovative solutions within an Industry 4.0 context.
LO3 Synthesise, visualise, communicate, and defend both the product evolution and process execution within a design thinking project.
LO4 Identify, apply and evaluate the skills required of team members within an interdisciplinary team context.
LO5 Critically reflect on the learner's perspectives of the theory discourse and their own learning experiences in order to develop lifelong learning competencies and attitudes.
Dependencies
Module Recommendations

This is prior learning (or a practical skill) that is strongly recommended before enrolment in this module. You may enrol in this module if you have not acquired the recommended learning but you will have considerable difficulty in passing (i.e. achieving the learning outcomes of) the module. While the prior learning is expressed as named MTU module(s) it also allows for learning (in another module or modules) which is equivalent to the learning specified in the named module(s).
Incompatible Modules
These are modules which have learning outcomes that are too similar to the learning outcomes of this module. You may not earn additional credit for the same learning and therefore you may not enrol in this module if you have successfully completed any modules in the incompatible list.
No incompatible modules listed
Co-requisite Modules
No Co-requisite modules listed
Requirements

This is prior learning (or a practical skill) that is mandatory before enrolment in this module is allowed. You may not enrol on this module if you have not acquired the learning specified in this section.
No requirements listed
 
Indicative Content
Context
According to 'The Future of Jobs' 2016 report by the World Economic Forum, we are in the midst of a fourth industrial revolution, with technological advancements rapidly developing in areas including 3D printing, robotics, block chain technology, artificial intelligence and machine learning. The resulting transition has resulted in global sectors (e.g. design, manufacturing, business, etc.) experiencing a period of tremendous change, bringing with it considerable challenges and opportunities. The fast evolving processes and technologies symptomatic of such change mean that professionals will need to be agile and have well developed lifelong learning attitudes and abilities, while organisations will require innovative change management strategies.
Strategy
Locate 'design thinking' within the landscape of design heuristics and Project Life Cycle. Explore best practice in managing strategic design to combine 'Big-D' design thinking with 'Small-D' making. Development of key knowledge and skills to apply a design thinking methodology with an Industry 4.0 context. Potential for design thinking to enable improved performance of people, process and technology.
Methodologies
Operationalising design thinking in lean and agile ways to enable optimum performance. Observe users/issues; Develop empathy; Research and define problem(s)/issue(s) by including multiple stakeholders as necessary; Develop potential solutions using co-design and co-create as appropriate; Evaluate design outcomes to select effective and sustainable solutions. Evaluate, appraise and measure excellence in design thinking projects.
Synthesis
Define problem and subsequent research objectives, present assumptions, collect quality data, analyse and interpret data, establish findings by synthesis, identify potential applications of research within, and beyond, the scope of the defined research objective.
Communication
Exploration of various means of communicating design thinking outcomes and their importance in achieving successful outcomes. Methods considered will leverage a multimedia approach using an appropriate combination of the following: verbal communication; videos; sketching; infographics; posters; 3D digital models; physical models; immersive experiences including virtual and augmented reality.
Interdisciplinary Teamwork
Collaborating as a interdisciplinary team to integrate knowledge and methods from different disciplines, using a real synthesis of approaches in overcoming barriers to innovation and developing sustainable solutions. Identify and experience the role of blending autonomous work with teamwork in achieving optimum project outcomes. Developing a compelling purpose and key principles to transform groups into high functioning teams. Identify and implement strategies for effective communication, collaboration, collective decision making and conflict management.
Reflection
Recognise and experience the benefits of reflection in and on action. Use personal reflection to identify optimum learning approaches to support lifelong learning attitudes and abilities. Reflective writing as a means of recording where a learner's mental map has changed and thus is evidence of transformative learning. Use reflective writing to explore, critique and sythesise philosophies and methodologies presented as part of the knowledge discourse.
Module Content & Assessment
Assessment Breakdown%
Coursework100.00%

Assessments

Coursework
Assessment Type Critique % of Total Mark 10
Timing Week 3 Learning Outcomes 2,3,4
Assessment Description
Group-based Project A: In response to a project brief, develop and evaluate potential solutions prior to selecting a preferred solution. Present the design evolution in poster format for use in a combined tutor/peer critique.
Assessment Type Project % of Total Mark 50
Timing Week 12 Learning Outcomes 1,2,3,4
Assessment Description
Group-based Project B: Research and observe existing industry practices to identify challenges and opportunities in order to developing a project proposal brief. In response to a project brief, develop solutions using a design thinking methodology. Present project work in a manner that clearly demonstrations the design evolution in terms of both process and product. The portfolio element may include report, visual graphic media (e.g. poster, video), and/or virtual experience. With the support of tutors, groups will be required to develop and execute a strategy to monitor accountability of individuals in completing project work within a group context.
Assessment Type Reflective Journal % of Total Mark 40
Timing Every Second Week Learning Outcomes 1,4,5
Assessment Description
Individual Learner Reflection: Students will be required to undertake focused reflective writing assignments at regular intervals over the course of the module delivery. The reflective writing assignments will require students to identify and evaluate their individual learning from experiences within the design thinking based interdisciplinary projects. Students will also be required use reflective writing to explore and critique material presented as part of the knowledge discourse.
No End of Module Formal Examination
Reassessment Requirement
Repeat the module
The assessment of this module is inextricably linked to the delivery. The student must reattend the module in its entirety in order to be reassessed.

The University reserves the right to alter the nature and timings of assessment

 

Module Workload

Workload: Full Time
Workload Type Contact Type Workload Description Frequency Average Weekly Learner Workload Hours
Lecture Contact Delivery of module content; Class discussion; Guest lectures. Every Week 2.00 2
Lecturer-Supervised Learning (Contact) Contact Workshop; Project work for formative/summative assignments. Every Week 2.00 2
Independent & Directed Learning (Non-contact) Non Contact Revision of lecture content; Research; Project work for formative/summative assignments. Every Week 10.00 10
Total Hours 14.00
Total Weekly Learner Workload 14.00
Total Weekly Contact Hours 4.00
Workload: Part Time
Workload Type Contact Type Workload Description Frequency Average Weekly Learner Workload Hours
Lecture Contact Delivery of module content; Class discussion; Guest lectures. Every Week 2.00 2
Lecturer-Supervised Learning (Contact) Contact Workshop; Project work for formative/summative assignments. Every Week 2.00 2
Independent & Directed Learning (Non-contact) Non Contact Revision of lecture content; Research; Project work for formative/summative assignments. Every Week 10.00 10
Total Hours 14.00
Total Weekly Learner Workload 14.00
Total Weekly Contact Hours 4.00
 
Module Resources
Recommended Book Resources
  • Michael Lewrick, Patrick Link, Larry Leifer. (2018), The Design Thinking Playbook: Mindful Digital Transformation of Teams, Products, Services, Businesses and Ecosystems, First. John Wiley & Sons, [ISBN: 9781119467472].
  • Michael Lewrick, Patrick Link, Larry Leifer. (2020), The Design Thinking Toolbox : A Guide to Mastering the Most Popular and Valuable Innovation Methods, First. John Wiley & Sons Inc, New York, United States, [ISBN: 9781119629191].
  • Tim Brown. (2009), Change by Design - How Design Thinking Transforms Organizations and Inspires Innovation, First. HarperCollins, [ISBN: 9780061766084].
  • University of Portsmouth. (2015), Reflective writing: a basic introduction, https://capstone.unst.pdx.edu/sites/default/files/Reflective-writing---a-basic-intro_0.pdf.
  • University of Birmingham. (2014), A short guide to reflective writing, https://intranet.birmingham.ac.uk/as/libraryservices/library/asc/documents/public/Short-Guide-Reflective-Writing.pdf.
Supplementary Book Resources
  • Robert Curedale. (2016), Design Thinking Process and Methods, Third. Design Community College Inc., [ISBN: 9781940805498].
  • Dubberly, Hugh. (2008), How do you design? A Compendium of Models, Dubberly Design Office, www.dubberly.com/articles/how-do-you-design.html.
  • Thomas Lockwood. (2009), Design Thinking: Integrating Innovation, Customer Experience, and Brand Value, First. Allworth Press, [ISBN: 9781581156683].
  • Michael G. Luchs, Scott Swan, Abbie Griffin. (2015), Design Thinking: New Product Development Essentials from the PDMA, First. Wiley, [ISBN: 9781118971].
  • Adam Jolly. The Innovation Handbook : How to Profit from Your Ideas, Intellectual Property and Market Knowledge, Fourth. Kogan Page Ltd, London, United Kingdom, [ISBN: 9780749478599].
  • Pascal Le Masson, Benoit Weil, Armand Hatchuel. (2015), Strategic Management of Innovation and Design, First. CAMBRIDGE UNIVERSITY PRESS, Cambridge, United Kingdom, [ISBN: 9780521182430].
  • Ray Holland, Busayawan Lam. (2014), Managing Strategic Design, First. MacMillan Education UK, London, United Kingdom, [ISBN: 9781137325945].
  • Patrick Van Der Pijl, Justin Lokitz, Lisa Kay Solomon, Erik van der Pluijm, Maarten Van Lieshout. (2016), Design a Better Business : New Tools, Skills, and Mindset for Strategy and Innovation, First. John Wiley & Sons Inc, New York, United States, [ISBN: 9781119272113].
  • Andrew Pressman. (2014), Designing Relationships: The Art of Collaboration in Architecture, First. Taylor & Francis Ltd, London, United Kingdom, [ISBN: 9780415506281].
  • Frederic Laoux. (2015), Reinventing Organizations, First (revised). Nelson Parker, [ISBN: 9782960133509].
  • John Hayes. (2018), The theory and practice of change management, First. Palgrave, [ISBN: 9781352001235].
  • Donald A. Schon. (1984), The Reflective Practitioner: How Professionals Think In Action, First. Basic Books, [ISBN: 9780465068784].
  • Nancy Kline. (2002), Time to Think: Listening to Ignite the Human Mind, First. Cassell, [ISBN: 9780706377453].
  • Leonard Mlodinow. (2019), Elastic : The Power of Flexible Thinking, First. Penguin Books Ltd, [ISBN: 9780141987392].
  • Edward de Bono. (2009), Lateral Thinking: A Textbook of Creativity, First. Penguin Life, [ISBN: 9780241257548].
  • Tom Kelley. (2001), The Art Of Innovation: Lessons in Creativity from IDEO, America's Leading Design Firm, First. Profile Books, [ISBN: 9781781256145].
Recommended Article/Paper Resources
Supplementary Article/Paper Resources
  • Katja Thoring, Roland Mueller. (2011), Understanding design thinking: A process model based on method engineering, International Conference on Engineering and Product Design Education.
Other Resources
 
Module Delivered in
Programme Code Programme Semester Delivery
CR_CBIMD_9 Master of Science in Building Information Modelling and Digital AEC 2 Elective
CR_CABIM_9 Postgraduate Diploma in Science in Applied Building Information Modelling and Digital AEC 2 Elective