vcc.ca
VCDP 1133: Design Thinking
Effective date
January 2023
Department
Visual Comm Design Diploma
School
Trades, Technology and Design
Description
Graphic designers must often solve challenging problems beyond simple aesthetic choices, and design thinking is an approach to problem solving that can help designers tackle these types of problems. Students in this course will learn to define a complex design problem, research and empathize with the stakeholders affected by that problem, generate possible solutions via sketching, and then select a final solution to build, refine, prototype, and test. Emphasis will be placed on building skill in strategic, creative thinking.
Credits
3.0
Year of study
1st Year Post-secondary
Prerequisites
None
Corequisites
None
Course Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to:
- Define a complex design problem and its stakeholders
- Research and empathize with the users of a design
- Engage in creative ideation to generate multiple potential solutions to a design problem
- Evaluate potential solutions for their impact and fit across a variety of contexts (financial, social, community, etc.)
- Work creatively towards solving design problems with a team
- Identify ways to work respectfully with diverse stakeholders, including those in marginalized or underrepresented groups
Prior Learning Assessment & Recognition (PLAR)
1. Interview with department to discuss previous experience
2. A portfolio assessment of previously completed related work OR
3. The demonstration of skills via the successful completion of 1-4 related projects/assignments similar to those completed in the course, chosen at the discretion of the department
2. A portfolio assessment of previously completed related work OR
3. The demonstration of skills via the successful completion of 1-4 related projects/assignments similar to those completed in the course, chosen at the discretion of the department
Hours
Lecture, Online, Seminar, Tutorial: 42
Practicum, Self-Paced, Individual Learning: 12
Total Hours: 54
Practicum, Self-Paced, Individual Learning: 12
Total Hours: 54
Instructional Strategies
A combination of lecture, demonstration, production simulations, problem solving, practical labs and reflective discussion will be used throughout this course.
Grading System
Letter Grade (A-F)
Passing grade
C
Evaluation Plan
|
Type |
Percentage |
Assessment activity |
|
Project |
30 |
Final project |
|
Assignments |
30 |
Assignments |
|
Lab Work |
30 |
May include in-class exercises, assignments, quizzes/tests, and work-in-progress |
|
Participation |
10 |
Participation and professionalism |
Course topics
- Design thinking and user-centred design
- Empathy, user research, and personas
- Sketching, prototyping, and testing
- Ideation, strategy, and creative thinking
- Professional ethics and social responsibility
- Respectful design
Notes:
- Course contents and descriptions, offerings and schedules are subject to change without notice.
- Students are required to follow all College policies including ones that govern their educational experience at VCC. Policies are available on the VCC website at:
https://www.vcc.ca/about/governance--policies/policies/. - To find out if there are existing transfer agreements for this course, visit the BC Transfer Guide at https://www.bctransferguide.ca.