May 25, 2026  
2026-2027 Undergraduate Academic Catalog 
    
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2026-2027 Undergraduate Academic Catalog
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UXD 1040 - Design Thinking

3 lecture hours 0 lab hours 3 credits
Course Description
Design thinking is a process for creative problem solving that became popular starting in the 2000s. The process starts with empathizing with users, defining the problem, ideating solutions, prototyping solutions, and then testing the solutions with users. In this workshop-based class, students will go through the process several times with different goals, users, and outcomes. The focus in the class is on ideation and creativity. Feasibility is initially less of a priority; however, students will work on refactoring their solutions to be implementable with fewer resources or shorter timelines. Students will leverage generative AI tools to expedite research and synthesis, enhance ideation, optimize design workflows, and amplify design outputs. Generative AI technology will also be used to improve human-AI collaboration. 
Prereq: None
Note: None
This course meets the following Raider Core CLO Requirement: None
Course Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion of this course, the student will be able to:
  • Describe how design thinking drives innovation and change across disciplines and industries
  • Demonstrate key steps and techniques of design thinking, especially in brainstorming, re-framing, sketching, and iterative prototyping
  • Apply design thinking to solve human-centered problems
  • Implement design thinking in projects, explaining why the solution was chosen and its consequences
  • Adopt a design thinking mindset, adapting skills and methodologies to new situations
  • Communicate the design thinking process to stakeholders
  • Connect classroom experiences with different fields to broaden perspectives
  • Use generative AI tools to responsibly enhance research, ideation, design workflows, and outputs
Prerequisites by Topic
  • Foundations of teamwork
Course Topics
  • What is design thinking?
  • Design thinking process
  • Design sprints
  • Framing and reframing problems
  • Sketching
  • Prototyping
  • User research
  • Design testing and critique
  • Presentations
  • Reflections
  • Experience design
  • Generative AI in design thinking  
Coordinator
Dr. Nadya Shalamova


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