Systemic Design and Services 1

This course introduces students to service and systemic design approaches that originate in theory and practice. Systems theory and methods make it possible for the designer to design for, and operate in, complex settings.

In this context complexity refers to multiple interrelated dimensions; social, political, environmental, economic, managerial and technological within which designers, as well as the products and services they create, act and exert influence.

One of the primer methods in this course is GIGA-mapping, which builds on cooperation among students and clients with lay-people, professionals, stakeholders and researchers from other disciplines (intra- and inter disciplinary). GIGA-mapping involves the visualisation of data to accumulate, communicate and analyse data to understand and create products and services.

Language of Instruction: English

After completing the course, the student is expected to have achieved the following learning outcomes defined in terms of knowledge, skills and general competence

Knowledge:

The student attains knowledge of service and systemic design through:

an overview of central knowledge in the theoretical field of service and systemic design and an understanding of diverse conceptions across contexts and disciplines

an overview of service design methods of blueprinting, user journey analysis and roadmap

an overview of data gathering methods in complex settings, such as visual interviewing, design and play probes, and co-designing by workshop

being able to describe differences between individual perspectives and systemic functioning

an overview of systemic analysis and design methods of systems analysis, feedback loops, parts and wholes, leveraging systems, structure and expectation analysis and dynamics within a specific context

an overview of basic concepts of cybernetics and communication theory, building on the course Communication in Design

understanding conversation theory and its relevance to design contexts

game dynamics applied in systems thinking

Skills

The student is capable of:

designing basic services or products informed by systemic design methods with emergent problem definitions

utilising the combination of information synthesised from theory and data gathering in and of complex settings, by use of visual interview, design and play probes

facilitating conversations and co-designing with stakeholders applying visualisation methods such as synthesis, stakeholder and GIGA-maps

using systemic design methods for workshop facilitation, stakeholder cooperation for date gathering and co-design

using 2D and 3D techniques to communicate and co-create within complex interventions

performing service blueprinting, user journey analysis and roadmap development through the integration of service and systems theory and practice

General Competence

The student gains competence in systemic design by:

• developing an understanding of complexity and systems thinking in design processes
• holistic thinking in relation to sustainability and societal contexts such as environmental trends and cultural dynamics
• understanding various perspectives for systemic and service design
• collaborating effectively in design projects involving stakeholders
• laying the groundwork for specialisation in systemic design or related fields

• systems theory

• communication theory

• cybernetic theory

• conversation theory

• systemic relations in service design

Conversations, workshops and systems play.

• Presentation
• Workshop documentation
• Note of reflection.

Individual or group portfolio examination.

The portfolio consists of:

Maps describing the context for the study and service descriptions.

Group size: Max 3 students

The exam result can be appealed.

All resources are permitted as long as the rules for source referencing are followed. The student is required to indicate if and how AI has been used to answer the exam.

Scale A-F.

Two internal. External examiner is used periodically.