Designing Innovative Services

Overview

The Certificate in Designing Innovative Services is a one semester (three months) part-time programme that is designed to provide the knowledge, skills and confidence required to work in the area of service design. The course will introduce the student to design thinking skills and to the key tools and methodologies for development of services.

The industry-focus of the programme coupled with the applied nature of teaching provides a practical bedrock of knowledge and experience which can be used to immediate effect in designing services in any type of organisation. Participants will develop their analysis and design skills. On completion of this programme they will be attractive as potential designers of services across a range of industries. In particular these skills would be useful for those working within the local government arena where there is established demand.

The programme is structured to support those in full time employment. The first module Seminar Series in Design Thinking will be delivered online weekly. The second module Design Thinking for Services will have lectures with the theory content delivered online and the workshops will be delivered over 4 Saturdays. The workshops will be the more practical element of the course requiring students to use the tools and methodologies. The students will be able to use real world cases from their workplace for the applications of the tools and methodologies.

The programme will balance real world experience from experienced practitioners in the field who will present on the seminar series with supported learning on practical skills during the workshop sessions.

The seminar series module will use reflective journals for assessment. The other module will require students complete a project in service design incorporating information gathering, analysis and prototype development. This project can be from the student’s own workplace.

Course Delivery

The programme is delivered fully online using Zoom for live lectures, and Canvas our learning management platform to manage content, assessments, and access to lectures. All lectures are recorded and can be watched back if you are not able to make the live session.

Start Date

22nd January 2024

Award

On successful completion of both modules, graduates will receive a Certificate in Designing Innovative Services (Level 8, 10 ECTs, on the National Framework of Qualifications).

What will I study?

Design Thinking for Services

This module aims to provide students with the necessary theoretical knowledge and practical skills to support the execution of a design thinking approach for the design of services. The modules addresses the role of team members, approaches for understanding users, research methods, prototyping, and presentation of findings.

Detailed module information here

Design Thinking Seminar Series

This module uses an innovative approach to explore the state of the art relating to design thinking from a variety of perspectives. Speakers from diverse organisations will present a series of guest lectures on overarching challenges and students will be tasked with reflecting on integrated problems across societal, environmental and business areas. The module provides students with critical insight into implementing service innovation strategies across a range of service and organisational contexts.

Detailed module information here

Entry Requirements

A H2.2 (or equivalent) in an Ordinary Degree in any discipline. Candidates without a Level 7 qualification must be able to demonstrate sufficient relevant experience to be considered for entry. A Personal Statement must be provided by the candidate demonstrating interest or competence in design thinking and or service design. Where required, candidates may be shortlisted and required to attend for interview.

What is RPL?

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) is when formal recognition is given for what you already know prior to starting on a programme or module. With recognition of prior learning the focus is on learning and not on experience as such. You can apply for RPL in any MTU accredited programme or module. Programmes which are accredited by professional bodies or any external awarding bodies may have their own procedures for RPL which you should refer to.

Fees

Course Fee: €900

This course may be free or 90% funded for those eligible under the Springboard+ initiative. Please see https://springboardcourses.ie/eligibility for further information.