Innovation and Design Thinking

Innovation is widely recognized as a central driver of economic growth. Unfortunately innovation is complex, risky, and commercial success is not guaranteed. With societal and environmental challenges, innovation can not only focus on companies? objectives Undertaking commercial activities, while ignoring the well-being of our planet's resources and its inhabitants is unsustainable. This module encourages an entrepreneurial, problem-solving mindset to achieve a sustainable future. It explores the key issues and challenges of innovation and explains the design thinking process as an entity in the innovation process. Students will also learn about the Design Thinking process and apply it to a Sustainable Development Goal project. By analyzing "root causes", the vital user empathy part of the design thinking process and the global context, students will be guided through this process by using multiple design thinking tools. Students will learn how Design Thinking traditionally used by designers is applicable to solving multiple business and societal issues. This often is an eye-opener and stimulates creative self confidence.