Unit+1+-+Design



**Introduction**

**Design Thinking,** or what can also be referred to as **Creative Thinking,** is a mindset, or thinking approach to solving a complex challenge or problem. This type of thinking came to prominence in the 1980's as companies began to apply a process of "human-centered" design where the needs, wants and limitations of the end users of a product were given extensive attention during each stage of the design process. As businesses began to find great success in this type of approach, a variety of variations on the design process came to be, with the core process essentially remaining true and unchanged. The process itself is rooted in the ability to understand the world and our relationship to it. Through __empathy, research, brainstorming, prototyping and revision__, creative solutions are found. This process encourages the development of ideas to challenges in a manner that is free from judgment, eliminating the fear of failure, and encouraging maximum input and participation from all participants.

In the Media Studio courses, the process of Design Thinking will be developed and applied within all course work. Why? Design thinking is an important thinking skill that is essential to the study of any discipline. It is a process that can be used to solve any challenge in a manner that will be effective and efficient, allowing students to freely explore their own creativity. It can be applied to learning software, designing a building, programming a robot or creating an animation. Several challenges will be presented in this first unit in an effort to help you become more familiar with this process. We will learn __how__ to think first, then apply this skill to an area of concentration. We will ask you to reflect upon your thinking throughout this unit and beyond. Please keep an open mind.

**In what ways can the Design Process stimulate creative solutions?**

**CONCEPTS / TERMS:**
 * Design Mindset
 * Assumptions
 * Empathy
 * Research
 * Brainstorming
 * Prototyping
 * Evaluation and Feedback
 * Iterative
 * Artifact

**CHALLENGE NUMBER ONE:** **The Marshmallow Challenge** //Instructor lead project.// Upon completion of the challenge, take a moment to reflect upon your experience in your portfolio. What did you discover? How could you do better the next time? What assumptions did you make?

 Written Reflection: Describe how your group performed during this challenge.What sorts of group dynamics were present? Were there leaders? Followers? What did you learn about the Design Process from this experience?What would you do differently next time? __**CHALLENGE NUMBER TWO:**__ **Defining Design**

** What is design? ** Watch the Following Video as a Class

Create an Inversion of your own first or last name

READ AND TAKE NOTES ON THE FOLLOWING: //Put your notes in the Design Unit of your ePortfolio// **The Mindset for a Design Thinker**

//Instructor lead project.// Watch the video ** IDEO - Designing a Better Shopping Cart **** as a whole class to see Design Thinking in action: **

// **Design Terms & Concepts** // Create a new heading on the Design page of your ePortfolio entitled // **Design Terms & Concepts** //. Define the following in your own words:
 * **Design Mindset**
 * **Assumptions**
 * **Empathy**
 * **Research**
 * **Brainstorming**
 * **Prototyping**
 * **Evaluation and Feedback**
 * **Iterative**
 * **Artifact**

READ AND TAKE NOTES ON THE FOLLOWING: //Put your notes in the Design Unit of your ePortfolio// Take your time as you work your way through these materials.
 * Components of Design Thinking**
 * CHALLENGE NUMBER THREE:**
 * Define the "Gap"**

__Challenge 3A__
//**GOOD DESIGN:**// Consider the artifacts you use regularly. (Make sure you review the video “what is design” for what is meant by “artifact” in the context of this course.) Do any of these artifacts evoke a reaction of "I love this" every time you use it? Think about this question during the coming week

Submit a photograph of the artifact. Submit a short (fewer than 100 words) explanation of why you love it. Take 3 photographs that shows clearly, the artifact that you have chosen from different angles. Try photographing it against or on a neutral background (a white, black or gray piece if paper or other surface). Make sure that the lighting is not to dark or light and that it reveals rather than obscures the object.

**CHALLENGE NUMBER FOUR** **Design Thinking in Action!** Having gained an understanding of the Design Process, pick one of the videos listed on the Challenge 4 link. Create a written analysis of how the Design Process was present in the work of the individual or team on the video.

**Required ePortfolio Content**

 * 1) ** Written Reflection on Marshmallow Challenge **
 * 2) ** Three Photos of Inversion Project (right-side up, upside down and prototypes) **
 * 3) ** Your Notes on the "Mindset of a Design Thinker" Prezi **
 * 4) ** Definitions of Design Concepts & Terms **
 * 5) ** Notes and Images for each step in the "Gap Project" (D.R.I.V.E.) **
 * 6) ** Your example and description of Good Design **
 * 7) ** Notes and summation of "Design Thinking in Action" video (Specific examples from the video of D.R.I.V.E. in action) **

**//Once you have completed this unit and your ePortfolio contains ALL of the content listed above, click the graphic below to turn in your work.//**


**Additional Resources**

The D School StudioH @How to Create Design Challenges - //for educators// The REDlab //for educators//