Semester 2

Photo by john-simitopoulos.

DP 4: Designing for Society

by Nynke Tromp & Mieke van Bijl-Brouwer

Design can actually make the world a better place. But when it comes to tackling complex societal issues with networks of stakeholders, how does it work in practice? This course challenges students to think about their role as designers and how they can contribute to effecting positive change in society.

Taking on societal issues is no easy task, but designers can make an impact. This course teaches core skills for how to use change-making as a driver for design activities.

Build an understanding of theories about complexity as you develop an academic design practice. Explore framing, working with a future vision and systems thinking. Consider your personal values, how you define a better world and reflect upon what position you want to take in this world. Through challenge-based learning, delve into a societal issue, first with a single client and later with a network of stakeholders. Learn how to make change within such a complex system.

Actively engage in an exploratory learning process, realising that success is in the learning itself. Learn to be comfortable dealing with ambiguity, trusting that you can contribute even though you don’t necessarily know how. Build confidence to explore unknown territories. Find your personal compass, exploring how you as a designer can contribute to societal change.

“We hope students will develop a drive and the confidence to use design as an enabler for societal change” – Mieke van der BijlBrouwer & Nynke Tromp

Strategic Brand Management

by Pinar Cankurtaran

There’s a lot more to branding than most people think. In fact, brands define and guide the strategic direction of organisations, drive innovation, and even influence the marketplace. And designers play a valuable role in cultivating a meaningful brand that resonates with customers and sets it apart from the competition.

This elective course is about exploring the fundamentals of branding, with an emphasis on how the brand itself can inform the future of the innovation.

Learn the principles of how a brand is built and managed over time. Explore the importance of creating a connection between the customer and the brand. Understand the dynamic nature of branding and the importance of balancing consistency with relevance as it evolves. Consider management and innovation choices that can fuel brand growth.

Through case studies, explore scenarios to learn how companies actually do things. Actively and critically engage in discussions, applying what you have learned to decision making and problem solving in a real business context. Then put your knowledge into practice by creating a brand, building an identity, defining a purpose and considering how to launch this brand into the market. Ultimately, learn how to use your design skills to add value to the process of branding.

“I want the students to understand that the brand isn’t something you just sort of slap on a product or put up a sign. Obviously, signs and symbols are part of a brand, but the brand is a lot more than that. It’s something that actually defines an organisation in many ways and also influences the way it is perceived by outside stakeholders.”