Service Prototyping module (DJ52010)

Service design focuses on helping users solve problems. This is done through an iterative, agile and holistic approach.

By prioritising human-centred innovation, service design promotes collaboration and learning through doing. This allows you to create seamless and joined-up service experiences that deliver great customer experiences.

Prototypes are a vital part of any designer's toolkit. They allow them to better understand the needs of their users and how to design services that best meet their needs.

You will learn a deep understanding of the principles of service design thinking. You will also cover the principles of prototyping frameworks.

You will learn how to navigate complex systems. You will also build empathy with real people in real environments. You will iterate and validate services through storytelling, prototyping and visualisation.

What you will learn

In this module you will:

• learn about the core principles and frameworks for designing and improving services
• appreciate the role of participants in service design and innovation processes
• cooperate in group-based activities to apply a service design thinking approach. You will take a view to providing design solutions that have a positive impact on society, businesses and the environment

By the end of this module, you will be able to:

• apply service design thinking and prototyping frameworks to develop and improve services offerings
• create and manage a diversified portfolio of low to high fidelity prototypes. This will include empathy and journey mapping, service walkthroughs, service blueprints and storytelling for impact. These will allow you to communicate service concepts and experiences.
• use methods of prototyping to applications of future studies. These methods will include scenario building, future forecasting, backcasting, and visioning.
• communicate and promote design activity professionally to diverse audiences. This will be done through storytelling, prototyping and visualisation

Assignments / assessment

• Group-based activity and presentation (60%)
  • You will collaborate in a diverse team to convey the essence of the final concept. You will also showcase a portfolio of prototypes used in the service design thinking process. These will include journey maps, user needs statements, service walkthrough and service blueprints
• 1500-word reflective essay (40%)
  • You will submit a series of reflective postcards. These will show in a critical and analytical way the key learning experiences that you gained from the module

You will receive feedback throughout the semester. This will be delivered while engaging in class discussions and ongoing group work.

This module does not have a final exam.

Teaching methods / timetable

• interactive lectures and workshops
• student-led tutorials
• assigned readings and other multimedia learning materials
• lightning talks by industry professionals
• collaborative group work
• practical sessions