This class combines an exploration of societal challenges, an exploration of our roles within society, and defining an impact that is ethical and inclusive within the context of design. This class will explore identity–individually and collectively as creative practitioners,  as well as taking a bigger picture lens and looking at societal challenges and the underlying socio-economics. 

Through the process of partnering with a local community and working in the context of real-world challenges, students work towards tangible design solutions while focusing on understanding and designing for social, cultural, ecological, and economic change. This course will take an in-depth look at various frameworks and approaches to complex social challenges and sustainable development, using both historical and contemporary examples.

Together with their chosen community partner, students will learn to apply emerging IxD craft and process skills to engage partners. Students will use practical tools and techniques for identifying opportunities, developing concepts, troubleshooting problems, measuring progress, and implementing and planning for their design concepts. In addition, they will be introduced to the tools, materials, methods, and concepts that will help them build a design practice that included social and other sustainability outcomes, including the theory of change, systems thinking, participatory design techniques, designing for inclusion, stakeholder analysis, social impact analysis, measurement using alternative capital, circular economies and regenerative frameworks. By the end of the course, they will be able to demonstrate industry-leading expertise in these practices. Equally important, students will use their emerging reflective skills to explore and deepen their understanding of how they show up as participants, collaborators, and leaders in the context of social innovation work.