Innovation and Design Thinking Lab

Course objectives

• To introduce students to the Design Thinking process as a human- centred approach to problem solving 2. To develop empathy and the ability to identify real user needs and define meaningful problems 3. To build creative ideation, brainstorming, and lateral-thinking skills 4. To enable students to build low-cost prototypes and test them with users 5. To foster teamwork, communication, and an innovation and entrepreneurial mindset through a hands-on team project

Course content

Module Description Hours Module 1 – Introduction to Design Thinking & Innovation: What is Design Thinking; difference 1. 6 hrs between design thinking and conventional problem solving; the five stages (Empathize, Define, Ideate, Prototype, Test); innovation vs invention; examples of design thinking success stories (Apple, Airbnb, IDEO, Indian startups); creativity and the innovation mindset; introduction to the team project. Module 2 – Empathize: Understanding the User: Human-centred design; observation and user research techniques; conducting interviews and surveys; empathy mapping; identifying user needs, pain points, 8 hrs and latent needs; stakeholder analysis; developing personas. Studio Activity: field observation and user interviews for the chosen problem. Module 3 – Define & Ideate: Synthesising research; framing the problem statement (Point of View); 'How Might We' questions; brainstorming rules and techniques; SCAMPER, mind mapping, lateral thinking; 3. 10 hrs idea selection and prioritisation (impact-effort matrix, dot voting); concept development. Studio Activity: define problem statement and generate/short-list solution ideas. Module 4 – Prototype: Purpose of prototyping; types of prototypes (paper, low-fidelity, working model, digital mock-up); rapid prototyping with low-cost materials; storyboarding; introduction to prototyping tools 12 hrs (cardboard, clay, 3D printing basics, Tinkercad, Figma/Canva for digital prototypes). Studio Activity: build a low-cost prototype of the team's solution. Module 5 – Test, Iterate & Pitch: User testing and feedback collection; iteration and refinement based on feedback; failure as learning; introduction to business model canvas (basic); value proposition; storytelling 9 hrs and pitching; preparing and delivering the final project pitch. Studio Activity: test prototype with users, iterate, and present the final pitch.