Design Methods for Framing Problems

Hello, my name is Youngbok Hong and I will be your instructor for this course!

Throughout this term, please feel free to contact me using the information below:

• Email: youhong@iupui.edu
• Phone: 317-278-9475
• Open Office hours: Mondays 9 am-10 am.  You can also set up an appointment by sending an email through the Canvas inbox. I will return your emails within 48 business hours. Only in the case of an emergency, email me at youhong@iupui.edu. Please be clear in the subject line as to what the message is concerning.  I will check the inbox at least once a day Monday-Friday. I will normally check in at least once over the weekend.

 

Course Description

Methods for Framing Problems will cover the finding, framing and communicating problems within the design thinking framework. The course aims to prepare students to become a better strategical thinker; in completing this course, students should be able to frame complex, ill-defined human problems.

The course will take a fast and fun, learning-by-doing approach to understand the methods and theory behind well framed problems. This experiential style of learning will drop you right into the "Thinking-through-making" of design thinking. Each week will introduce new tools, methods and concepts to strengthen your ability to produce compelling work. 

 

Course Mode

This course is fully online using the IU Canvas learning management system.  If you have not previously used Canvas, please log into the course, click on Modules to the left and complete the Getting Started Module.

Also, we will have synchronous video chats based on the group's preference, likely held every other week at times the group agrees upon.

 

Learning Outcomes

At the end of this course, you should be able to do the following:

1. Articulate the role and importance of problem framing within the context of design thinking and be able to put it to use in day to day tasks and projects.
2. Collect and synthesize data around a problem space into actionable insights.
3. Translate messy, complicated problems into clearly articulated, solvable opportunity statements that inspires teams to generate innovate solutions.
4. Explain the qualities of a well-framed problem and the range and spectrum of problems.

 

Course Overview

Module 1: What is problem framing?   Weeks 1-2 introduce the overview of problem framing.

Module 2: How to frame problems methodically? -  Basic Methods for Framing Problems Weeks 3-8 introduce the basic methods for research and synthesis as well as a primer on communicating findings and insights.

Module 3: Let's take a deep dive! - Advanced Methods for Framing Problems Weeks 9-15 expand to more advanced methods of framing problems. The last two weeks are focused upon finishing the final assignment.

You will learn in this class through doing. The course activities consist of three elements, which are repeated in each module: DIGEST, DISCUSS, and DO. You will demonstrate your understanding of the introduced concepts through producing and communicating artifacts. 

1. DIGEST: You will read, watch and ponder the posted course materials.
2. DISCUSS: You will actively discuss what you've learned with your classmates and instructor to provide feedback among each other. 
3. DO: You will demonstrate your synthesis of learning by executing assignments and producing output.

The diagram below is a visual summary of the course roadmap. Due to the changes in the Fall 2020 academic calendar the class will be in session on Labor Day and there will be no Fall Break this semester. Week 13 is the last week of the course and you will submit the final work after Thanksgiving Break.

 

Required Course Materials

The reading material will be provided. 

You will also need:

• a laptop or desktop computer with the latest web browser versions that support Canvas
• reliable internet access
• word processing software, i.e. Word, or Google Docs
• presentation software, i.e. Keynote, Powerpoint, or Google Slides
• PDF viewer to read course materials, i.e. Adobe Acrobat/Reader
• Webcam, headset microphone to upload videos
• Some way to make and post a simple video (e.g., using a webcam, or a smart phone)
• Pen, paper, sharpies, markers, highlighters. Although we will use Miro, a virtual whiteboard tool, I advise you to use these analogue tools to externalize your thought process.  
• Table: Ideally you will need a clean table top surface. Get a table dedicated to this class for the next 15 weeks that you won’t have to clean or move.  Here is my setting to share with you. 

For online audio or video conferencing you will need:

• a laptop or desktop with a microphone (some people prefer a headset microphone or earbuds with mic)
• a webcam is recommended but not required
• Access to Zoom-hosted meetings

 

Course Assessment & Grades

* There could be some minor changes in this information.

	Value towards final grade
13 DIGEST activities You will prove your understanding of the lecture materials by participating in an interactive discussion. Each DIGEST activity is 30 points. This activity will require approximately 1.5-2 hour digesting content and doing the weekly readings Due midnight on Tuesdays	Total of 390 points ( 23%)
14 DISCUSSION activities This section focuses on sharing your thoughts or experiences and providing deliberative comments on your peers’ posts. Each DISCUSSION activity is 20 points. This activity will require approximately 1-1.5 hour creating your discussion post and responding to others Due midnight on Tuesdays	Total of 280 points ( 16 %)
15 DO activities Each week, you will produce artifacts such as maps, reflection paper and slides deck that demonstrate your conceptual understanding of the introduced concepts. Each artifact carries a different point-value according to the complexity of the assignments.   This activity will require approximately 3-4 hours completing your assignments Due midnight on Sundays   DO: Framing Problems in Your Domain (40) DO: Seeing differently, Thinking differently, Doing differently (40) DO: Getting Started with Empathy (60) DO: Affinity Map (100) DO: How Might We (60) DO: Survey on Other Forms of Communication (40) DO: Final Submission (100) DO: Describe. Evaluate. Articulate (100) DO: Comprehensive Research Plan v1 (60) DO: Comprehensive Research Plan v2 (40) DO: Affinity Map (100) DO: Personas (100) DO: Opportunity map (100) DO: Slides Deck v1 (60) DO: Slides Deck v2 (40)	Total of 1040 points ( 61 %)
Total	1710 points (100%)

No final exams! I’ll use a numeric scale during the semester before converting to a letter scale using the following correspondence:

Grade	Percentage Range
A	94-100
A-	90-93
B+	87-89
B	84-86
B-	80-83
C+	77-79
C	74-76   lowest passing grade
C-	70-73
D+	67-69
D	64-66
D-	60-63
F	<60%

 

Late Work Policy

Assignments turned in late receive a 1% penalty per late day.