In the wake of the SSPU ‘trans disciplinary design’ (TDD) course also the two optional College of Applied Art & Design courses ‘innovative design thinking’ (IDT) where given. In total fifty-eight students enrolled in these courses. Fifty- five students completed the courses.

Subtitled videos

In general, the students cooped very well with the English language. Still to follow the course in only English is a challenge for even the best English-speaking students. To make the lessons better understandable for the students four videos (of the six) were provided with Chinese subtitles.

After the first two English spoken videos, through progressive insights, a switch was made to videos with Chinese subtitles. In the final stage (lessons seven and eight) the subtitled videos were incorporated in the lessons itself. 

Lesson 1

Introduction of certain interesting insights around design and science by the teacher. This to open the mind of the students and to set them ready for the course.

Lessson 2

Explanation of the meaning of ‘design’ and how it is differs from ‘art’. Also, to go in deeper into the importance and ‘philosophy’ of design.

Lesson 3

The third lesson explains ‘design thinking’. The first most important steps in any design are ’empathy’ and ‘research’. The whole course is based on teaching 21st century ‘soft skills’. To empathise is one of the most powerful soft skills to develop. Next to that new media literacy will get attention. ‘How to search the internet’.

Lesson 4

Attention for the different realities we deal with today. 

Next to the real reality we have: 

⁃VR (virtual reality)       ⁃AR (augmented reality)       ⁃MR (mixed reality). 

Attention to the digitising of our senses (to hear, to see, to touch, to taste and to smell). The students have to think about the consequences this digitising of senses will have in combination with the different realities. 

Lesson 5

Students are introduced to the ‘mind mapping’ technique and are given 20 minutes during the online teaching time to make a mind map of their own UN-goal idea.

Then the students are introduced to the ‘brain storming’ technique.

Lesson 6

All teams do their power point presentations. This is an exercise for the end presentation at the last lesson and the teacher can estimate how the teams are doing. The students are made aware that important people will join the final presentations.

Lesson 7

In this lesson the power of ‘sketching’ and visualising your ideas is taught. A sketch pulls your dream down to earth. Decisions and necessities that conveniently can be put aside in your imagination are surfacing when you sketch. 

Lesson 8

Evaluation of the team ideas in the class. How to set up a Power Point Presentation. Graphic design lesson: composition, the use of typography, the use of backgrounds, the use of imagery. Use as little text as possible but explain it with short sentences (power points) and you’re talking.

Lesson 9, Final presentation. 

We had the honour to welcome: 

• Mrs. Anya Troost, professor at the FIT University New York,

• Mrs. Christine Jetten, affiliated with Delft University of Technology， The Netherlands and educational trans disciplinary expert.

• Ms. Mei Ye, teacher at the College of Applied Art and Design, Shanghai.

Results