Design Thinking

The Design Thinking cluster intends to excite students about the power of Design Thinking through hands-on experiences and equip them with the basic skills needed to use it.

SOPHOMORE INQUIRY DESCRIPTION (UNST 222)

In this course, students will learn the foundations of Design Thinking and how to apply them to real-world problems. This course intends to excite students about the power of Design Thinking through hands-on experiences and equip them with the basic skills needed to use it. Students will experience the intersection of diversity, ethics/social responsibility, critical thinking, and communication as they identify problems to address, craft their design challenge, engage in field research, synthesize their findings, brainstorm solutions, and present their concepts while expanding their personal and professional networks.

JUNIOR CLUSTER DESCRIPTION

It’s not enough to observe and talk about the world’s problems; it’s up to PSU students to solve them.  The Design Thinking / Innovation / Entrepreneurship (DTIE) cluster empowers students to develop the skills to deeply understand human and environmental needs and to address them with creative products and services. By using the Design Thinking methodology introduced in the Sophomore Inquiry course (UNST 222) to identify needs, brainstorm solutions, incorporate feedback, iterate designs, and formulate enduring business models, students will work on projects that lead to lasting value. The cluster then allows students to harness innovation processes that will serve as touchstones in their careers and lives by drawing on approaches ranging from those used to create new social ventures in developing economies to entrepreneurial practices in Silicon Valley. Watch this video to learn more about Entrepreneurship at the School of Business.