DES002 – Design ThinkingMatlab

Java Python MODULE (and code): DES002 - Design Thinking

ASSIGNMENT TITLE: Learning Portfolio (Resit)

Aims: DES002 Design Thinking is a Year 1 introductory module to various problem-solving approaches used in different  contexts to tackle complex, open-ended problems. The module’s name is inspired  by  designers' methods that incorporate all stakeholders' points of view and include different stages of development from conceptual to  prototyping and testing. The  module is  not specific to students following exclusively  Design disciplines as the presented methodologies essentially apply to all disciplines and professions.

Recommended reading: See Lecture Notes and Tutorials on Learning Mall Online.

At the end of this assignment a student should be able to:

A.   Apply the design thinking methodology to address real-world problems.

B.    Develop and articulate a clear problem statement and create a comprehensive design brief.

C.    Utilize various observation methods to gain insights into the problem and generate innovative ideas through ideation techniques.

D.   Describe the prototype creation and testing approaches for potential solutions.

Learning Portfolio - Resit Coursework Briefing

In this coursework, students are requested to apply the principles of design thinking to a complex, real-world problem.  The goal is to develop a comprehensive solution to the chosen problem by following a structured design thinking process. This coursework aims to challenge students to work on a complex problem, applying the design thinking methodology  while demonstrating their ability to breakdown the problem into manageable components, create innovative solutions,  and refine them based on real-world testing and feedback.

Ten complex problems have been provided towards the end of this coursework brief. You are required to select ONLY ONE of these problems and apply the Design Thinking Process, in the form that has been presented in the lectures, to provide potential solutions. You will need to use the Learning Portfolio template to present your problem formulation and solution approach by using either all kinds of communication means, such as textual, visual, graphical etc., at your discretion.

Assessment Breakdown:

The coursework will be assessed based on the various stages with a focus on the following components: Problem Statement (20%):

● Clear articulation of the type of problem.

● Explanation of why it is a problem.

● Identification of key stakeholders and their perspectives.

● The problem statement's alignment with the chosen problem.

Design Brief (15%):

● Development of a well-defined design brief.

● Inclusion of project goals, scope, and constraints.

● Alignment of the design brief with the problem statement.

Observation Method (15%):

● Selection and description of appropriate observation methods (e.g., interviews, surveys, field observations).

● Execution of observation techniques to gather relevant data.

● Presentation of expected findings and insights gained from the observations.

Ideation (15%):

● Demonstration of creative thinking and brainstorming techniques.

● Generation of a diverse range of potential solutions.

● Explanation of the ideation process and criteria used for ideaselection.

Prototyping - Implementation Actions (20%):

● Development of prototypes or description of specific implementation actions that address the problem.

● Clarity of prototype designs and functionalities.

● The relationship between the prototypes and the problem statement. Prototype Testing - Effectiveness Evaluation (15%):

● Execution of testing and evaluation of prototypes (Evaluation of Effectiveness).

● Feedback collection mechanisms and data to refine the prototypes.

● Presentation of expected modifications made based on feedback results and success criteria.

Submission Guidelines:

All assignments must be submitted in accordance with the provided deadlines (see specific dates above). Assignments should be professionally presented, citing relevant sources and using appropriate formatting.

Requirement: Please strictly follow the format of the Portfolio Template provided with this coursework and allocate only two slides per process stage. Please only remove the text in red colour in the template and use the slide space to provide your answers for each stage of the Design Thinking process as indicated. Any deviations from the template will result in loss of marks. Please work within the portfolio’s specifications. All students need to upload their finalized portfolio to the Gradescope linkin Learning Mall Online by the deadline set above.

Grading Criteria:

Grades will be awarded in each stage of the process described above based on the quality of work, depth of analysis, creativity, and adherence to the design thinking process. The following rubric h DES002 – Design ThinkingMatlab as been designed to guide you through on the quality expectations of your work and the general marks that correspond to such output level.

Excellent (85%)	Very Good (70%)	Good (60%)	Average (50%)	Needs Improvement (40%)	Poor (25%)
Innovative approach and clear presentation. The needs of the project have been completed and addressed at a high level.	The approach addresses the major needs of the project in line with the discipline’s practices. The presentation is clear.	Good approach with minor flaws that addresses the major project requirements. The presentation is clear but could be further enhanced.	The approach partially covers the requirement of the project with minor flaws. The presentation of information is very simple and could be further improved.	The approach covers only some of the basic requirements of the project with major flaws. The presentation is generally weak and needs to be improved.	The work fails to address the project’s requirements with major flaws and lack of clarity in the presentation.

Note: Plagiarism and collusion are strictly prohibited and will result in academic penalties.

Problems

Please select only one of the following problems for the development of your learning portfolio:

1. Urban Homelessness: Explore ways to reduce urban homelessness and improve the living conditions of those affected.

2. Preserving Indigenous Cultures: Explore how to protect and preserve the cultural heritage and knowledge of indigenous communities in the face of globalization and modernization.

3. Food Security in Low-Income Communities: Find sustainable solutions to ensure consistent access to nutritious food in low-income urban areas.

4. Happiness and Well-being:  Investigate  how to  measure and enhance overall happiness and well-being in a diverse and interconnected world.

5. Digital Privacy: Tackle the challenges of balancing digital privacy concerns with the need for cybersecurity and data access in the modern age.

6. Moral Implications of Artificial Intelligence: Examine ethical and moral dilemmas arising from the use of AI, including issues like algorithmic bias and privacy infringements.

7. Crisis Communication in a Digital Age:  Explore strategies for governments and organizations to effectively communicate during crises when information spreads rapidly through social media and digital channels.

8. Traffic Congestion: Find solutions to alleviate traffic congestion in a major metropolitan area while considering environmental impacts.

9. Plastic Waste  Pollution: Explore ways to reduce plastic waste in the environment and promote sustainable alternatives.

10. Managing the Transition to Renewable Energy: Address the challenges of transitioning from fossil fuels to renewable energy sources, including economic impacts and political resistance