| Unit name | Defining Difficult Problems: Design Research Studio |
|---|---|
| Unit code | INOV10008 |
| Credit points | 20 |
| Level of study | C/4 |
| Teaching block(s) |
Teaching Block 2 (weeks 13 - 24) |
| Unit director | Mr. Bartlett |
| Open unit status | Not open |
| Units you must take before you take this one (pre-requisite units) |
None. |
| Units you must take alongside this one (co-requisite units) |
None. |
| Units you may not take alongside this one |
None. |
| School/department | Centre for Innovation |
| Faculty | Faculty of Arts |
Why is this unit important?
Understanding users is critical to creating successful products, services, and experiences. This unit introduces the essential skill of user research—a critical step in the design process that ensures what you create truly meets the needs of those who will use it. Whether you aspire to be a designer, developer, or entrepreneur, the ability to empathize with and understand your users will set you apart. You will be equipped with the tools and techniques to uncover valuable insights, make informed decisions, and design with purpose. By learning how to transfer observations into insights, you will gain the power to create solutions that are not only functional but also meaningful.
How does this unit fit into your programme of study
In Year 1, you build the essential foundation for understanding design and innovation by focusing on the people who will use what you create. Introducing the core principles of user research, you learn how to uncover real-world problems by engaging directly with users, allowing you to challenge assumptions and rethink traditional approaches. These foundational research methods allow you to develop the ability to design with empathy and purpose, setting the stage for more advanced studies in creating impactful, user-centered solutions.
An overview of content
Equip yourself with the methodologies to identify and frame difficult problems. An introduction to mixed-methods exploratory and explanatory research designed to identify new problems and user pain points. We'll explore contextual research techniques to gather data and analyse emerging trends. Immerse yourself in secondary research, analyse social, environmental, or economic trends, and write impactful "How Might We" questions and opportunity statements. You’ll learn how to define the subject of study – mapping stakeholders, identifying a target audience and crafting compelling project pitches for real-world problems.
How will students, personally, be different as a result of the unit
By the end of this unit, you’ll have a deeper understanding of how to design with empathy, viewing challenges through the lens of the user. You’ll learn to think critically about the needs and behaviours that drive design decisions, moving beyond conjecture to uncover real insights. Equipped with practical research skills, you’ll be able to gather, analyse, and present insights that informs impactful, user-centred solutions.
Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this unit, students will be able to:
How you will learn
Teaching will be focused on interactive studio-style workshop sessions and small-group ‘live’ client project work supported by in-person lectures. This simulates the group-based professional context of collaborative research practice and allows for the kind of discussion, debate, and diversity of perspective that really stimulates transformative creative learning. Teaching and assessment are focused on real-world problems, with real user perspectives gathered through student research, to add to the authenticity of what is being learnt and why.
Tasks which help you learn and prepare you for summative tasks (formative):
Critical Reflection Outline (individual assessment), 500 words or equivalent (0% Not Required for Credit)
Tasks which count towards your unit mark (summative):
Research Project (group assessment), 3500 words or equivalent (60%), [ILOs 1-4]
Critical Reflection (individual assessment), 1500 words or equivalent (40%), [ILOs 1,2,4,5]
When assessment does not go to plan
When required by the Board of Examiners, you will normally complete reassessments in the same formats as those outlined above. However, the Board reserves the right to modify the form or number of reassessments required. Details of reassessments are normally confirmed by the School shortly after the notification of your results at the end of the academic year.
If this unit has a Resource List, you will normally find a link to it in the Blackboard area for the unit. Sometimes there will be a separate link for each weekly topic.
If you are unable to access a list through Blackboard, you can also find it via the Resource Lists homepage. Search for the list by the unit name or code (e.g. INOV10008).
How much time the unit requires
Each credit equates to 10 hours of total student input. For example a 20 credit unit will take you 200 hours
of study to complete. Your total learning time is made up of contact time, directed learning tasks,
independent learning and assessment activity.
See the University Workload statement relating to this unit for more information.
Assessment
The assessment methods listed in this unit specification are designed to enable students to demonstrate the named learning outcomes (LOs). Where a disability prevents a student from undertaking a specific method of assessment, schools will make reasonable adjustments to support a student to demonstrate the LO by an alternative method or with additional resources.
The Board of Examiners will consider all cases where students have failed or not completed the assessments required for credit.
The Board considers each student's outcomes across all the units which contribute to each year's programme of study. For appropriate assessments, if you have self-certificated your absence, you will normally be required to complete it the next time it runs (for assessments at the end of TB1 and TB2 this is usually in the next re-assessment period).
The Board of Examiners will take into account any exceptional circumstances and operates
within the Regulations and Code of Practice for Taught Programmes.
