MIS776 - Design Thinking for Innovation

Unit details

Year

2025 unit information

Enrolment modes:

Trimester 2: Campus Intensive

Trimester 3: Online Intensive

Credit point(s):1
EFTSL value:0.125
Unit Chair:Trimester 2: Franziska Wolf
Trimester 3: Lubna Alam
Prerequisite:

Nil

Corequisite:Nil
Incompatible with: Nil
Educator-facilitated (scheduled) learning activities - on-campus unit enrolment:

For T2 2025:

The unit will be offered in an intensive mode on-campus over 4 days during T2 (9.00am and 5.00pm AEST)

Educator-facilitated (scheduled) learning activities - online unit enrolment:

For T3 2025:

The unit will be offered in an intensive mode online over 4 days at the beginning of T3 (9.00am and 5.00pm AEDT).

Typical study commitment:

Students will on average spend 150 hours over the teaching period undertaking the teaching, learning and assessment activities for this unit.

This will include educator guided online learning activities within the unit site.

Note:

Trimester 2 2025 Dates: (on-campus between 9.00am and 5.00pm AEST):

  • Saturday 9th August 2025
  • Monday 11th August 2025
  • Friday 15th August 2025
  • Saturday 16th August 2025

Trimester 3 2025 Dates: (on-campus between 9.00am and 5.00pm AEDT):

TBA

Content

Design Thinking refers to a style of thinking that brings creativity to the way we define and solve problems. It combines sensitivity for the context of a problem, creativity in the generation of new insights and solutions, and rationality in analysing and fitting solutions to the context. This unit explores design thinking as a practice for identifying and developing innovation opportunities in a range of business and social contexts. It explores key approaches associated with the practice of design thinking, such as ethnographic techniques for understanding the problem context, creative approaches for idea generation, ill-structured problem solving, collaborative/participatory teamwork and human centred problem solving. The unit will develop the basis for innovative and creative thinking in students and develop confidence for students to think innovatively.

Learning Outcomes

ULO These are the Unit Learning Outcomes (ULOs) for this unit. At the completion of this unit, successful students can:

Alignment to Deakin Graduate Learning Outcomes (GLOs)

ULO1

Apply the main principles and applications of design thinking.

GLO1: Discipline-specific knowledge and capabilities

ULO2

Critically analyse the role of design thinking in facilitating innovation and creative problem solving.

GLO4: Critical thinking

ULO3

Design & evaluate appropriate solutions to a real world problem using design thinking tools and techniques in a collaborative team.

GLO1: Discipline-specific knowledge and capabilities
GLO7: Teamwork

ULO4

Professionally communicate designing thinking concepts, processes and products.

GLO2: Communication

Assessment

Assessment Description Student output Grading and weighting
(% total mark for unit)
Indicative due week
Assessment 1: (Group of 5) Team projects and presentation 4000 words 50% Week 6

Assessment 2: Portfolio

Part A: (Individual) Portfolio exercises 
Part B: (Individual) Research presentation
Part C: (Individual) Reflection
Part D: DT Poster

Part A: 1500   words
Part B: 10min
Part C: 1000 words
Part D: 500 words

Part A: 20% 
Part B: 10%
Part C: 10%
Part D: 10%

Week 8

The assessment due weeks provided may change. The Unit Chair will clarify the exact assessment requirements, including the due date, at the start of the teaching period.

Learning resource

The texts and reading list for MIS776 can be found via the University Library.

Note: Select the relevant trimester reading list. Please note that a future teaching period's reading list may not be available until a month prior to the start of that teaching period so you may wish to use the relevant trimester's prior year reading list as a guide only.

Unit Fee Information

Fees and charges vary depending on the type of fee place you hold, your course, your commencement year, the units you choose to study and their study discipline, and your study load.

Tuition fees increase at the beginning of each calendar year and all fees quoted are in Australian dollars ($AUD). Tuition fees do not include textbooks, computer equipment or software, other equipment or costs such as mandatory checks, travel and stationery.

Estimate your fees

For further information regarding tuition fees, other fees and charges, invoice due dates, withdrawal dates, payment methods visit our Current Students website.