Programs | One Year Immersive | Quarter 4 | IDSE 401
Business Design
IDSE 401
Business Design
IDSE 403
Studio: Concept to Launch
Course Overview
As a designer, if you plan to work at (or run!) a startup, an agency, or a large corporation — understanding how a business works is crucial to designing products and services that make an impact. Designers who understand business context are able to exponentially add value and ensure that a product will be able to come to life. This course will introduce you to basic principles of business including business models, organization structures and market landscapes. This class will also touch on Product Management basics including using product roadmaps to illustrate a long-term product vision, and how to evaluate, prioritize and communicate the value of ideas to stakeholders.
Outcomes and Competencies
The following outcome statements articulate the competencies, abilities, and skills a student will have as a result of completing this class. Upon completing this course, students will:
Understand the basics of business models and market landscapes through a design lens
Understand how Product Design fits into larger business and product contexts
Be introduced to Product Management basics including resources, roadmap, and prioritization frameworks
Be able to create a start-up pitch with a thin slice of product solution, market lens, competitive lens, team lens, and product road map.
Course Schedule
Class 1
In Class
Topics
Class Introductions
Innovation Lenses
Back of the envelope
Activities
Small group exercises
Class 2
In Class
Topics
Business models
Canvas frameworks
Activities
Small group exercises
Class 3
In Class
Topics
Budget
Resources
Scope
Activities
Small group exercises
Discussion: Readings
Class 4
In Class
Present: Canvas Design
Topics
Topic: Competitive analysis
Class Retro
Class 5
In Class
Topics
Stakeholders
Goals
Socialization
Activities
Small group exercises
Class 6
In Class
Present: Competitive Analysis
Topics
Roadmaps (Part 1)
Class 7
In Class
Topics
Roadmaps (Part 2)
Activities
Small group exercises
Class 8
In Class
Topics
Teaming, Agile, Scrum, etc. (Part 1)
Activities
Working session
Class 9
In Class
Topics
Teaming, Agile, Scrum, etc. (Part 2)
Activities
Small group exercises
Class retro
Guest speakers
Class 10
In Class
Present: Build a Roadmap
Topics
Teaming, Agile, Scrum, etc. (Part 3)
Class 11
In Class
Topics
Teaming + Pitch frameworks
Activities
Small group exercises
Class 12
In Class
Topics
Prioritization frameworks & data-driven decisions
Activities
Small group exercises
Class retro
Class 13
In Class
Activities
Small group exercises
Class 14
In Class
Present: Case Study Pitch
Activities
Small group exercises
Class 15
In Class
Topics
Design Role in Business, cost of design
Activities
Discuss readings
Class retro
Ready to Launch Your Design Career?
Transform your creative aspirations into reality as you learn from experienced professionals at the Austin Center for Design. Dive into hands-on projects, receive personalized feedback, and develop a solid foundation that will kickstart your design career.