UDE2222 (Design Innovation: Future of Work): Group-Based Assignment on Design Thinking Applied to a Professional Challenge

Module / Subject / School

UDE2222: Design Innovation – Future of Work

Singapore Institute of Technology

Requirements

Assignment Title: Design Thinking Applied to a Professional Challenge

In this group-based assignment (4–5 students per group), you are required to identify a real-world issue relevant to your profession or discipline and apply critical thinking and design thinking to propose a solution.

Your group must develop a presentation deck that includes problem framing, empathy mapping, user research, ideation, and a prototype of your solution.

Key Deliverables:

• Problem Framing (Why this is important): Frame the problem within your professional context. Clearly define the problem and its impact on stakeholders.

• User Research (Observations and Interviews): Conduct observations and interviews with relevant stakeholders to gather insights and data that inform your understanding of the problem.

• Identify Gaps and Issues (Empathy Map and Personas): Develop empathy maps and personas that capture users’ characteristics, needs, pain points, and future challenges.

• Analysis & Synthesis (Interview Insights): Critically analyse interview data, distilling deep insights that drive the development of your solution.

• Exploration of Design Opportunities (HMW Statements): Formulate “How Might We” statements based on user insights to guide your design process and open opportunities for innovative solutions.

• Concept Generation (Sketches of Proposed Ideas): Brainstorm and present sketches of possible solutions, considering current and future challenges. Demonstrate creativity and potential for innovation.

• Prototype Development (Storyboards, Videos): Develop and demonstrate a prototype addressing the identified problem. Include photos or videos, and evaluate the solution’s desirability, feasibility, and viability.

What We Score

• 80%

Writer’s Comment

This assignment tests your ability to apply design thinking and critical thinking in a professional context.

Common challenges include:

• Insufficient problem framing: Students sometimes fail to clearly define the problem and its relevance to stakeholders.

• Weak user research: Observations and interviews may lack depth or fail to produce actionable insights.

• Superficial ideation or prototyping: Ideas may be presented without sufficient exploration, evaluation, or innovation potential.

Strong submissions clearly:

• Demonstrate empathy and insight: Use user research to define real pain points and gaps

• Apply HMW statements effectively: Generate creative and feasible solutions grounded in research

• Produce viable prototypes: Present visual or interactive prototypes that show feasibility, desirability, and impact

• Integrate professional relevance: Link solutions to real challenges within the discipline or profession

General Tips to Improve Your Score

• Anchor your process in design thinking: Follow the steps from problem framing to prototype, making clear links between each stage

• Prioritise critical insights: Highlight the key findings from interviews and observations that inform your solution

• Show creativity and innovation: Use sketches, storyboards, or videos to demonstrate your ideas visually

• Evaluate your prototype: Discuss feasibility, desirability, and viability with supporting rationale

• Collaborate effectively: Ensure all group members contribute and are reflected in the presentation

Why Students Work With Our Experts for This Assignment

• Design thinking expertise: We guide students in applying design thinking from empathy to prototyping

• Professional insight integration: Ensure solutions are realistic and relevant to the chosen discipline

• Prototype support: Assistance with visualisation, storyboards, or video demonstrations

• Full process coverage: We help structure your presentation deck for maximum clarity and impact

• High-quality outcomes: Supports submissions that consistently achieve top marks

If you need help with this Design Innovation assignment, our team knows exactly how to take your ideas from research to a polished, professional prototype.