Design Thinking and Maker Culture

This course introduces students to the theories, methods, and principles of Design Thinking and the ethos of Maker Culture through the lens of Design Ethnography, a set of tools and methods that combines traditional ethnographic approaches with user-centred design, to understand not what users say they want (understood through tools such as focus groups and surveys) , but why they want it through empathy and understanding cultures and  behaviors. Design Ethnography often embodies a social justice, ethical and responsible dimension to research practice.