DVB305 Design for Health Innovation


To view more information for this unit, select Unit Outline from the list below. Please note the teaching period for which the Unit Outline is relevant.


Unit Outline: Semester 1 2024, Kelvin Grove, Internal

Unit code:DVB305
Credit points:12
Coordinators:Nicole Vickery | n1.mcmahon@qut.edu.au
Nicole Vickery | n1.mcmahon@qut.edu.au
Disclaimer - Offer of some units is subject to viability, and information in these Unit Outlines is subject to change prior to commencement of the teaching period.

Overview

The contribution of design-led approaches and methods to innovations in eHealth and healthcare services and technologies is increasing. Challenges impacting Australian and international health sectors require skills and knowledge of consumer- and user-centric approaches. You will become familiar with theoretical frameworks for health and wellbeing and develop knowledge of contemporary design-led approaches to the development of health and wellbeing services, products and experiences.

This unit addresses theories, approaches, methods and applications of design to the context of health and wellbeing. It takes into account multiple stakeholder perspectives: health professionals, patients and carers. You will deepen you design skills and knowledge of methods used in Design Thinking to conceptualise, develop and produce a design prototype.

Learning Outcomes

On successful completion of this unit you will be able to:

  1. Demonstrate a critical understanding of contemporary issues and approaches across design for health and wellbeing Australia and internationally.
  2. Identify, evaluate and critically analyse a range of best practices and leading industry exemplars that apply design for health and wellbeing.
  3. Explore and develop individual and collaborative practices and approaches to integration of design and health within a design solution.
  4. Apply a variety of design tools and processes to develop a user-centric solution for health and wellbeing.

Content

This unit presents lectures and practical classes which address content such as:

  • theoretical foundations of approaches to health and wellbeing
  • application of user-centered design approaches, usability and user experience to the context of health and wellbeing
  • understanding of multiple user groups
  • capacity to identify a design opportunity and to analyse contexts for design application
  • creating conceptual design that respond to a brief and an identified design context
  • low- and high-fidelity prototyping techniques
  • fundamental approaches to evaluate outcomes against design goals
  • understanding and writing design rationales.

Learning Approaches

Lectures are supported by presentations, online and video-resources, demonstrations of user-centric design and contextualisation within the field of design as well as health and wellbeing. Resources include selected readings, handouts and case studies. Teaching activities will deliver key practical skills and consist of problem-based learning activities and supervised practical workshop sessions to explore and apply concepts. Assessment is based on real-world briefs and scenarios for health and wellbeing issues. Industry leaders will provide expert feedback on your ideas.

In the online mode of this unit, you will learn through engaging in a variety of online activities, online self-directed learning, and weekly research and readings that are designed to support your learning experience. The recorded lectures will examine conceptual and theoretical principles and issues across a variety of design areas, with a focus on contemporary case studies. Throughout the online delivery of this unit, you will receive support from your instructors and peers. You will have access to online resources and materials, and you will be able to communicate with your instructors and peers via various online platforms. A variety of support materials will be published on the Canvas website to coordinate the unit.

Feedback on Learning and Assessment

Feedback in this unit is provided to you in following ways:

  • criteria sheets
  • in-class formative exercises
  • peer and tutor feedback
  • Canvas general comments to cohort group

Assessment

Overview

This unit involves two summative assessment items focusing on 

Unit Grading Scheme

7- point scale

Assessment Tasks

Assessment: Design Project Proposal

For this assignment, you will research and analyse a real-world industry-led brief, and create a design project proposal that addresses user needs. You will use various formats, such as video, to present your proposal, and it should be based on in-depth research and analysis of leading examples in the field. Your proposal should showcase your skills in conceptualisation, development, and presentation of design projects, and demonstrate your ability to create innovative solutions that meet real-world challenges.
 
This assignment is eligible for the 48-hour late submission period and assignment extensions.
Weight: 40
Individual/Group: Individual
Due (indicative): Week 6
Related Unit learning outcomes: 1, 2

Assessment: Design Project Prototype

You will develop a prototype that addresses the design problem/brief and implements the identified design goals. This will be supported by a design rationale and link the outcome to context and goals. The prototype may take various forms depending on the project, such as physical models, digital models, or interactive mock-ups, and will be accompanied by detailed documentation and testing to demonstrate the viability of the design.
 
This assignment is eligible for the 48-hour late submission period and assignment extensions.
Weight: 60
Individual/Group: Individual
Due (indicative): Week 13
Related Unit learning outcomes: 1, 2, 3, 4

Academic Integrity

Students are expected to engage in learning and assessment at QUT with honesty, transparency and fairness. Maintaining academic integrity means upholding these principles and demonstrating valuable professional capabilities based on ethical foundations.

Failure to maintain academic integrity can take many forms. It includes cheating in examinations, plagiarism, self-plagiarism, collusion, and submitting an assessment item completed by another person (e.g. contract cheating). It can also include providing your assessment to another entity, such as to a person or website.

You are encouraged to make use of QUT’s learning support services, resources and tools to assure the academic integrity of your assessment. This includes the use of text matching software that may be available to assist with self-assessing your academic integrity as part of the assessment submission process.

Further details of QUT’s approach to academic integrity are outlined in the Academic integrity policy and the Student Code of Conduct. Breaching QUT’s Academic integrity policy is regarded as student misconduct and can lead to the imposition of penalties ranging from a grade reduction to exclusion from QUT.

Resources

A list of resource materials for this subject will be provided on the subject’s Canvas site. There are no set textbooks for this unit.

Resource Materials

Other

To enable your full participation in the virtual learning environment, for example, participating in online activities and engaging with online learning materials, you will need access to a reliable computer with an internet connection, webcam, headset and microphone, as well as a learning environment where you are able to fully participate undisturbed when required.

Risk Assessment Statement

All students and staff are required to complete the Tier 1 General Health and Safety Induction for access to campus buildings and facilities. This must be completed online.