Product Development Project (PDP)
6/7. Semester
10 ECTS | 4 SWS
Continuous Assessment (CA)
Develop an innovative solutions for a real world problem: Work in interdisciplinary teams on open-ended challenges, develop user-centered concepts using design thinking, build prototypes in a makerspace, and present your solutions to clients and a larger audience.
Contents
- Design Thinking Bootcamp
- Independent work on a wicked problem / complex problem in an interdisciplinary team
- Weekly lectures on methods of user centered innovation including user research, prototyping, user testing, successful teamwork
- Weekly progress reports including discussion of (interim) results
- Digital manufacturing methods in the makerspace
- Final presentation of the final concept through a pitch and booth
- Communication with external Partners
Competencies
Students are able to
- Tackling complex problems using design thinking, i.e. in a user-centred, prototype-based and highly iterative manner.
- Using design thinking methods, independently contributing and deepening knowledge from your own field of expertise in the development of solutions.
- Working cooperatively and Showing initiative and working self responsible in an interdisciplinary team while jointly develop a solution in the form of a proof-of-concept demonstrator.
- Presenting the solution to a larger audience in an understandable and persuading way.
- Identify and balance desirability, feasibility and viability of a solution.
- Critically reflect on one's own actions and learn from mistakes, as well as to develop confidence in one's own creativity and problem-solving skills.
- Quickly and independently familiarise yourself with new and complex domains and take selfresponsible actions to overcome unforeseen obstacles
Literature
- K. Dorst, Frame Innovation: Create New Thinking by Design, paperback ed. Cambridge, MA, USA: MIT Press, 2024.
- N. Cross, Designerly Ways of Knowing and Thinking, 2nd ed. London, U.K.: Springer, 2024.
- M. Lewrick, P. Link, and L. Leifer, The Design Thinking Playbook: Mindful Digital Transformation of Teams, Products, Services, Businesses and Ecosystems. Hoboken, NJ, USA: Wiley, 2018.
- F. Uebernickel, L. Jiang, W. Brenner, B. Pukall, T. Naef, and B. Schindlholzer, Design Thinking: The Handbook. Singapore: World Scientific, 2020.
Lecturer
- Prof. Kirstin Kohler
- Manuel Walter
- Laurin Knapp
Recommended Previous Knowledge
Module Details
| Semester |
6/7 |
| Lecture Language |
English |
|
Frequency
|
Summer Term
|
| Credit Points (ECTS)
|
10 |
| Course Coordinator |
Prof. Kirstin Kohler |
| Duration |
1 Semester |
|
Course Achievement
|
None |
|
Prerequisite for exam
|
None |
|
Exam
|
Continuous Assessment (CA) |
Weekly Hours (SWS)
| Project |
2 SWS |
| Workshop |
2 SWS |
| Sum |
4 SWS |
Work Load
| Project |
270 h |
| Workshop |
30 h |
| Sum |
300 h |
