Design Thinking and User Centered Design (11656.1)

Please note these are the 2026 details for this unit
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Design Thinking and User Centered Design
Available teaching periods Delivery mode Location
View teaching periods On-campus
Online self-paced
 UC College, Bruce, ACT
Bruce, Canberra
EFTSL Credit points Faculty
0.125 3 Faculty Of Arts And Design
Discipline Study level HECS Bands
School Of Design And The Built Environment Level 1 - Undergraduate Introductory Unit Band 2 2021 (Commenced After 1 Jan 2021)
Band 2 2021 (Commenced Before 1 Jan 2021)
This unit introduces students to fundamentals of design process and evolution of design solutions. Student will learn basics of human-centric processes focusing on need finding, understanding, creating, thinking, and doing. A sound understanding of how to conduct design research is gained with an understanding of the processes involved in engaging with the user to create effective design solutions. The student will engage in applying this knowledge in finding solutions for real-world problems in the creation of a design solution and application.

Learning outcomes

After successful completion of this unit, students will be able to:
1. Describe the iterative design process, basic design thinking and research techniques;
2. Apply and analyse design thinking and research methods in the creation of innovative design solutions for real-world problems; and
3. Communicate design intent to stakeholders using effective presentation techniques.


Graduate attributes

3. UC graduates are lifelong learners - be self-aware
1. UC graduates are professional - use creativity, critical thinking, analysis and research skills to solve theoretical and real-world problems
2. UC graduates are global citizens - adopt an informed and balanced approach across professional and international boundaries
2. UC graduates are global citizens - understand issues in their profession from the perspective of other cultures
1. UC graduates are professional - communicate effectively
1. UC graduates are professional - take pride in their professional and personal integrity
3. UC graduates are lifelong learners - adapt to complexity, ambiguity and change by being flexible and keen to engage with new ideas
3. UC graduates are lifelong learners - reflect on their own practice, updating and adapting their knowledge and skills for continual professional and academic development


Prerequisites

None.

Corequisites

None.

Incompatible units

None.

Equivalent units

11042 Introduction to Design Thinking Techniques

Assumed knowledge

None.
Availability for enrolment in 2026 is subject to change and may not be confirmed until closer to the teaching start date.
Year Location Teaching period Teaching start date Delivery mode Unit convener
2025 UC College, Bruce, ACT UC College Trimester 2 26 May 2025 On-campus Mr Gowrie Waterhouse
2025 Bruce, Canberra Semester 2 28 July 2025 On-campus Dr Raghavendra Gudur
2025 Bruce, Canberra Semester 2 28 July 2025 Online self-paced Mr Gowrie Waterhouse
2026 UC College, Bruce, ACT UC College Trimester 2 29 June 2026 On-campus Mr Gowrie Waterhouse
2026 Bruce, Canberra Semester 2 10 August 2026 Online self-paced Mr Gowrie Waterhouse
2026 Bruce, Canberra Semester 2 10 August 2026 On-campus Mr Gowrie Waterhouse
The information provided should be used as a guide only. Timetables may not be finalised until week 2 of the teaching period and are subject to change. Search for the unit timetable.

Required texts

Recommended readings will be available through UC Learn (Canvas).

Submission of assessment items

Extensions & Late submissions

Artificial intelligence

Students are not permitted to use generative artificial intelligence (GenAI) in assessments for this unit.

GenAI may only be used in authorised ways when completing assessments at UC. This means that GenAI can only be used for an assessment when:

  1. the Unit Convener has authorised GenAI use for that assessment
  2. the student uses GenAI in the way that the assessment instructions allow
  3. the student fully acknowledges their use of GenAI, with proper citations, references and a GenAI Acknowledgement Statement in line with the assessment instructions.

Where the assessment instructions do not specifically state that GenAI may be used and how, then its use is not permitted for that assessment. Students must still provide the required GenAI Acknowledgement Statement to indicate whether GenAI has or has not been used in the preparation of the assessment. If unsure, students should seek advice from the Unit Convener.

The GenAI for Students Library Guide provides further information, including how to reference GenAI.

 

Students must apply academic integrity in their learning and research activities at UC. This includes submitting authentic and original work for assessments and properly acknowledging any sources used.

Academic integrity involves the ethical, honest and responsible use, creation and sharing of information. It is critical to the quality of higher education. Our academic integrity values are honesty, trust, fairness, respect, responsibility and courage.

UC students have to complete the Academic Integrity Module annually to learn about academic integrity and to understand the consequences of academic integrity breaches (or academic misconduct).

UC uses various strategies and systems, including detection software, to identify potential breaches of academic integrity. Suspected breaches may be investigated, and action can be taken when misconduct is found to have occurred.

Information is provided in the Academic Integrity Policy, Academic Integrity Procedure, and University of Canberra (Student Conduct) Rules 2023. For further advice, visit Study Skills.

Participation requirements

None. 

Required IT skills

None.

In-unit costs

There may be costs associated with material purchases. 

Work placement, internships or practicums

None

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