NEW MEDIA
Bachelor TR-NQF-HE: Level 6 QF-EHEA: First Cycle EQF-LLL: Level 6

Course Introduction and Application Information

Course Code Course Name Semester Theoretical Practical Credit ECTS
DES3936 Design Thinking Spring
Fall
2 0 2 4
This catalog is for information purposes. Course status is determined by the relevant department at the beginning of semester.

Basic information

Language of instruction: English
Type of course: Non-Departmental Elective
Course Level: Bachelor’s Degree (First Cycle)
Mode of Delivery: Face to face
Course Coordinator : Assist. Prof. HANDAN TEMELTAŞ
Recommended Optional Program Components: None
Course Objectives: The aims of the Design thinking course are to provide students with knowledge and skills about producing innovative and user-oriented solutions. This course aims to introduce students to the methods and tools to be used in the problem solving process, such as creative thinking, empathy, understanding user needs, looking from different perspectives, prototyping and testing. It also teaches students collaboration skills such as teamwork, communication and leadership. Design thinking course motivates and inspires students to produce innovative solutions to real-world problems.

Learning Outcomes

The students who have succeeded in this course;
Students who successfully complete this course will:
1. Examine the fundamentals of design thinking and explore different perspectives to conceptualize innovative solutions.
2. Explain users' needs, allowing for a deeper comprehension of real user problems and the development of appropriate solutions.
3. Name knowledge of and compare in a systematic problem-solving process, including the use of tools and methods for problem analysis, solution generation, and evaluation.
4. Illustrate the process of rapidly transforming ideas into prototypes and evaluating these prototypes through user feedback.
5. Identify the dynamics of teamwork and leadership in achieving common goals, with an emphasis on theoretical understanding of project management and team motivation.
6. List methods for producing innovative solutions and improving existing conditions, building creativity and the conceptualization of transformative projects.

Course Content

This 14-week Design Thinking course aims to teach students the fundamentals of design thinking. The course covers topics such as collaboration and teamwork, different thinking and creativity methods, design thinking tools and techniques, empathy and user-centered design, problem definition, ideation, prototyping and iteration, testing, design thinking case studies, design thinking workshops, and projects. At the end of the course, students will apply the design thinking process to create their final presentations and evaluate the course. The teaching methods of the course are as follows: Lecture, collaborative learning, observation, discussion, individual study, problem solving and implementation.

Weekly Detailed Course Contents

Week Subject Related Preparation
1) Introduction to Design Thinking • Overview of design thinking principles and methodologies • Understanding the design thinking process Research Assignment
2) Collaboration and Teamwork Design Thinking in Business • Effective teamwork and communication in design thinking • Collaborative ideation and decision-making techniques • Applying design thinking to business challenges • Product development and service design using design thinking • Creating inclusive and ethical solutions through design thinking Research Assignment
3) Different Ways of Thinking and Creativity • Creative Thinking • Critical Thinking • Systemic Thinking • Analytical Thinking Research Assignment
4) Design Thinking Tools and Techniques • Introduction to various design thinking tools and techniques • Persona development, journey mapping, and design sprints Research Assignment
5) Empathy and User-Centered Design • Importance of empathy in design thinking • Techniques for conducting user research and gathering insights Research Assignment
6) Problem Definition • Defining design problems effectively with appropriate tools Practical Assignment
7) Ideation • Brainstorming and other techniques for generating innovative ideas Practical Assignment
8) Midterm Exam N/A
9) Prototyping and Iteration Testing • Introduction to prototyping methods • Rapid prototyping and iterative design process • User Tests • Feedback Gathering • Improvement Practical Assignment
10) Design Thinking Case Studies • Analyzing real-world examples of successful design thinking projects • Learning from design thinking success stories across industries Practical Assignment
11) Design Thinking Workshop 1 • Hands-on workshop to apply design thinking principles and methods • Collaborative design thinking project in small groups • Applying design thinking process to solve a real-world problem Practical Assignment
12) Design Thinking Workshop 2 • Continued hands-on workshop to practice design thinking techniques • Collaborative design thinking project in small groups • Applying design thinking process to solve a real-world problem Presentation Assignment
13) Design Thinking Project / Pre-Presentations Presentation Assignment
14) Design Thinking Project / Pre-Presentations Presentation Assignment

Sources

Course Notes / Textbooks: -
References: Cross, N. (2011). Design Thinking: Understanding How Designers Think and Work. Berg Publishers.
Rowe, P. G. (1987). Design Thinking. MIT Press.
Brown, T. (2009). Change by Design: How Design Thinking Transforms Organizations and Inspires Innovation. Harper Business.
Plattner, H., Meinel, C., & Leifer, L. (Eds.). (2011). Design Thinking: Understand – Improve – Apply. Springer.

Evaluation System

Semester Requirements Number of Activities Level of Contribution
Attendance 1 % 15
Homework Assignments 1 % 20
Midterms 1 % 25
Final 1 % 40
Total % 100
PERCENTAGE OF SEMESTER WORK % 60
PERCENTAGE OF FINAL WORK % 40
Total % 100

ECTS / Workload Table

Activities Number of Activities Duration (Hours) Workload
Course Hours 13 2 26
Study Hours Out of Class 3 7 21
Homework Assignments 10 4 40
Paper Submission 1 10 10
Final 1 3 3
Total Workload 100

Contribution of Learning Outcomes to Programme Outcomes

No Effect 1 Lowest 2 Low 3 Average 4 High 5 Highest
           
Program Outcomes Level of Contribution
1) To be able to critically interpret and discuss the theories, the concepts, the traditions, and the developments in the history of thought which are fundamental for the field of new media, journalism and communication.
2) To be able to attain written, oral and visual knowledge about technical equipment and software used in the process of news and the content production in new media, and to be able to acquire effective abilities to use them on a professional level.
3) To be able to get information about the institutional agents and generally about the sector operating in the field of new media, journalism and communication, and to be able to critically evaluate them.
4) To be able to comprehend the reactions of the readers, the listeners, the audiences and the users to the changing roles of media environments, and to be able to provide and circulate an original contents for them and to predict future trends.
5) To be able to apprehend the basic theories, the concepts and the thoughts related to neighbouring fields of new media and journalism in a critical manner.
6) To be able to grasp global and technological changes in the field of communication, and the relations due to with their effects on the local agents.
7) To be able to develop skills on gathering necessary data by using scientific methods, analyzing and circulating them in order to produce content.
8) To be able to develop acquired knowledge, skills and competence upon social aims by being legally and ethically responsible for a lifetime, and to be able to use them in order to provide social benefit.
9) To be able to operate collaborative projects with national/international colleagues in the field of new media, journalism and communication.
10) To be able to improve skills on creating works in various formats and which are qualified to be published on the prestigious national and international channels.