General Information
Instructor Bio
Dr. Angèle Beausoleil is the Assistant Professor of Business Design and Innovation at the Rotman School of Management and Academic Director of the Business Design Initiative. Professor Beausoleil brings deep industry experience to her teaching of design methodologies for business innovation to MBAs, commerce students and industry executives. A former communications designer, marketer, strategist and innovation lab executive, she applies her 20+ years in private practice to crafting high impact teaching and learning experiences. With a PhD in design-driven innovation, she leads applied research inside organizations on innovation process design, navigation and management. This course is foundational for the Rotman Business Design Major and prepares students for design courses (RSM2524, RSM2516, RSM2617 and RSM2518) and design-led innovation internships and careers.
Format
3.5-hrs studio/class; 8 Days (over 2 Weeks); light theory + practice. Flipped classroom and hybrid learning (in-person and online sync depending on COVID-19 restrictions)
Course Mission
This course is aimed at those interested in understanding design’s role in business innovation and applying new ways of thinking to innovation management management. The learning objectives are to:
- Understand the diverse design practices inside organizations, highlighting business model design, strategic design, service design, and customer experience design
- Appreciate the fundamental stages of the innovation development process and the 3-step Business Design Method
- APply your learnings to a simulated innovation challenge; and,
- Explore how empathy, creativity, prototyping, and context informs your thinking and practice in design-led innovation initiatives
Course Scope
The Business Design Fundamentals course introduces students to the most prolific design practices and methods used in business decision-making today. Through a combination of lectures and experiential learning activities (physical and virtual studio techniques), students will gain an understanding of design’s growing impact on business – particularly on customer-centred innovation development and management. This foundational course is recommended (as a prerequisite) for RSM2524 Business Design Practicum, RSM2516 Design Research and Data Storytelling, RSM2517 Futures Thinking, RSM2518 Service Design courses, and for those seeking a Business Design Major. This course will challenge you to face and navigate uncertainty and ambiguity, sample qualitative research methods, and collaborate to creatively solve a real, yet simulated business challenge over an intensive six weeks.
Evaluation and Grade Distribution
| Component | Due Date | Weight |
|---|---|---|
| Individual Class Participation | Ongoing | 20% |
| Individual Reflection Papers | Classes 1, 2, 3, 6 | 20% (4 x 5%) |
| Group Design Research Report | Class 5 | 15% |
| Group Business Design Prototype | Class 8 | 30% |
| Individual Final Reflection Paper | After Class 8 | 15% |
Required Resources
Students are required to purchase a custom course pack/workbook for this class (at cost). Required readings and supplemental materials will be provided on Quercus.
Last Updated: