MIS776 - Design Thinking for Innovation
Unit details
| Year | 2026 unit information |
|---|---|
| Enrolment modes: | Trimester 2: Intensive: Burwood (Melbourne), Online |
| Credit point(s): | 1 |
| EFTSL value: | 0.125 |
| Unit Chair: | Trimester 2: Emma Simpfendorfer |
| Prerequisite: | Nil |
| Corequisite: | Nil |
| Incompatible with: | Nil |
| Educator-facilitated (scheduled) learning activities - on-campus unit enrolment: | The unit will be offered in an intensive mode on-campus over 4 days during T2 (9.00am and 5.00pm AEST) T2 2026 Dates:
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| Educator-facilitated (scheduled) learning activities - online unit enrolment: | The unit will be offered in an intensive mode online over 4 days at the beginning of T2 (9.00am and 5.00pm AEST). T2 2026 Dates:
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| Typical study commitment: | Students will on average spend 150 hours over the teaching period undertaking the teaching, learning and assessment activities for this unit. |
Content
Design Thinking refers to a style of thinking that brings creativity to the way we define and solve problems. It combines sensitivity for the context of a problem, creativity in the generation of new insights and solutions, and rationality in analysing and fitting solutions to the context. This unit explores design thinking as a practice for identifying and developing innovation opportunities in a range of business and social contexts. It explores key approaches associated with the practice of design thinking, such as ethnographic techniques for understanding the problem context, creative approaches for idea generation, ill-structured problem solving, collaborative/participatory teamwork and human centred problem solving. The unit will develop the basis for innovative and creative thinking in students and develop confidence for students to think innovatively.
Learning outcomes
| ULO | These are the Unit Learning Outcomes (ULOs) for this unit. At the completion of this unit, successful students can: | Alignment to Deakin Graduate Learning Outcomes (GLOs) |
|---|---|---|
| ULO1 | Apply the main principles and applications of design thinking. | GLO1: Discipline-specific knowledge and capabilities |
| ULO2 | Critically analyse the role of design thinking in facilitating innovation and creative problem solving. | GLO4: Critical thinking |
| ULO3 | Design & evaluate appropriate solutions to a real world problem using design thinking tools and techniques in a collaborative team. | GLO1: Discipline-specific knowledge and capabilities |
| ULO4 | Professionally communicate designing thinking concepts, processes and products. | GLO2: Communication |
Assessment
| Assessment Description | Student output | Grading and weighting (% total mark for unit) | Indicative due week |
|---|---|---|---|
| Assessment 1: Part A: (Individual) Continuous Program Based Assessment Part B:(Individual) Interview Analysis | Part A:1500 words Part B: 20 photos with description and interview | Part A: 25% 35% total | Part A and
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| Assessment 2: |
Part A: 2400 words | Part A: 30% 40% total | Part A and Part B: Final day of the 4 day intensive teaching period |
| Assessment 3: | Part A: 1000 words | Part A: 15% 25% total | Part A and Part B: Week 9 |
The assessment due weeks provided may change. The Unit Chair will clarify the exact assessment requirements, including the due date, at the start of the teaching period.
Learning resource
The texts and reading list for MIS776 can be found via the University Library.
Note: Select the relevant trimester reading list. Please note that a future teaching period's reading list may not be available until a month prior to the start of that teaching period so you may wish to use the relevant trimester's prior year reading list as a guide only.
Bring Your Own Device (BYOD)
To fully engage with Deakin's learning experiences, students must be able to access and use internet-connected devices as outlined in computing requirements at Deakin.
To support student success at Deakin, we have a bring-your-own-device (BYOD) learning environment that acknowledges that students and educators bring with them the digital tools they regularly use to complete academic tasks. These tools stay with you beyond the classroom, helping you to keep learning, explore ideas more deeply, and connect with knowledge in ways that matter to you.
Students requiring a loan device should visit our Loan Laptop webpage or students requiring longer-term assistance should visit our Student Financial Assistance webpage.
Unit Fee Information
Fees and charges vary depending on the type of fee place you hold, your course, your commencement year, the units you choose to study and their study discipline, and your study load.
Tuition fees increase at the beginning of each calendar year and all fees quoted are in Australian dollars ($AUD). Tuition fees do not include textbooks, computer equipment or software, other equipment or costs such as mandatory checks, travel and stationery.
For further information regarding tuition fees, other fees and charges, invoice due dates, withdrawal dates, payment methods visit our Current Students website.