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REGISTRATIONS ARE CURRENTLY CLOSED BUT WILL re-OPEN SHORLTY

design thinking for the planet

The aim of this unit, which was built in collaboration with the award-winning social enterprise STREAT, looks to engage students (young and old alike) to build a circular, regenerative precinct in the heart of the west. Students will get the chance to work on a problem (or opportunity) that supports sustainability and the health of the planet through learning about and using Human-Centred Design (HCD) and Earth-Centred Design (ECD) methods and techniques. Students will develop skills in project design, ideation, testing, interviewing, giving and receiving feedback, and pitching an idea. The unit will also afford opportunity to explore and exercise capability in empathy, interrogating assumptions, being creative, teamwork and taking on a challenge. These skills and capabilities will come together at the end of the unit where each team will pitch their innovative solution to a panel of VU stakeholders (internal and external).

Location

Blended (in-person & online materials)

Themes

Sustainability, Human-centred Design, Earth-Centred Design

Duration

4 Weeks

Price

$500.00

OVERVIEW

This course is intended for individuals seeking to jump start themselves or their organisations’ participation in the circular economy, support for the UN SDGs and ultimately making a difference for the planet. For LGAs and industry, the benefit is problem solvers and innovators contributing to achieving the Government’s targets for 2025 and 2030 as set out in the Recycling Victoria policy and the Climate Change Strategy.

Structure

The course will run over 4-weeks with students attending one face to face session per week which are treated like design sprints focused on:

  • Week 1 – Project Set-up
  • Week 2 – Ideation
  • Week 3 – Iteration & Development
  • Week 4 – The Pitch

learning outcomes

At the completion of this unit, students will be able to:

  1. Articulate understanding of HCD and ECD and how they interact; 
  2. Identify a complex and local problem related to our planet’s sustainability; 
  3. Collect and analyse data from relevant stakeholders to inform an innovative solution; 
  4. Create and present a project plan of action with clear aims and processes; and
  5. Evaluate project plans of action against HCD and ECD principles. 
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Acknowledgement of country

Victoria University acknowledges, recognises and respects the Ancestors, Elders and families of the Bunurong/Boonwurrung, Wadawurrung and Wurundjeri/Woiwurrung of the Kulin who are the traditional owners of University land in Victoria, the Gadigal and Guring-gai of the Eora Nation who are the traditional owners of University land in Sydney, and the Turrubal people living in Meanjin (Brisbane)