This microcreds is aimed at professionals interested in learning creative approaches to solving difficult problems.
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Innovation by Design
Overview
| Module Code | IA40970 |
| Module Title | Innovation by Design |
| Subject Area | |
| Credits | 5 |
| NFQ | 9 |
| EFQ | 7 |
| Start Date | 31 October |
| Duration | 5 Weeks 31 October (online), 9.30-11.30 19, 20. 21 November (in person UCD), 9.30-16.30 27 & 28 November (in person UCD), 9.30-16.30 5 December (online), 9.30-11.30 |
| Time | 9.30am to 16.30pm |
| Mode of Delivery | In person |
| Lead Academic | Professor Suzi Jarvis |
| Fee | €1000 *Subsidised Fee: €500 *50% Fee Subsidy for Eligible Learners (See below) |
| Application Deadline | 24th October 2025 |
Join UCD Innovation Academy’s experienced facilitators to design innovative, workplace-relevant solutions in response to this timely challenge: Reimagining Risk: How Might We Better Prepare For, and Respond to, Ambiguity and Uncertainty.
Innovation by Design is a fast-paced, hands-on microcredential that guides participants through a design approach recently pioneered by the Stanford d.school, focused on developing three core design strengths of noticing, experimenting and sensemaking.
The module combines in-person cross-sectoral collaborative workshops, individual workplace observation, and real time experimentation to ensure solutions are both innovative and grounded in real-world needs.
By the end of this microcredential, participants will have designed practical, context-specific solutions to implement within their organisations, along with the development of a practical design toolkit and an innovative mindset - equipping them to tackle a variety of challenges long after the programme ends.
- A practical design toolkit - including core design skills of ‘noticing’, ‘experimenting’ and ‘sensemaking’ - that can be applied in a variety of contexts
- Understanding context around risk, through engagement with international research, insights and/or guest speakers
- Cross-industry collaboration methodologies and tools
- Reflection practices and methodology
Highlights of this module include two in-person blocks - one to build cross-sectoral collaboration and introduce design methods, and a final 2-day hackathon-style to design, prototype, and pitch practical solutions.
- Weeks 1 & 2: Preliminary exercises in relation to the challenge, with a focus on one's own context/workplace
- Week 3: A 3-day in person block to learn and develop skills in ‘noticing’, ‘experimenting’ and ‘sensemaking’, including the opportunity to iterate and refine in real time in the workplace
- Week 4: A 2-day in person hackathon-style workshop to further develop creative, implementable ideas - including pitches and peer feedback on proposed solutions
- Week 5: Online session to sharing insights, consider next steps, and collaborate on the challenges and opportunities of implementing solutions
Throughout the process is enriched by bespoke input from industry experts and academic researchers.
Participants will leave with potential solutions to implement within their organizations, along with a practical design toolkit and an innovative mindset, empowering them to tackle uncertainty and complexity long after the programme ends.
In-person
Draft:
Online learning: 4hrs
Studio: 40hrs
Specified learning activities:
You will need a level 8 qualification. If you do not have a level 8 qualification, you can consider applying under UCD’s Recognition of Prior Learning policy.
Full participation is required.
Please note: Learners can avail of only one form of funding per application.
Micro-Credentials Learner Fee Subsidy-Human Capital Initiative Pillar 3
The HCI Pillar 3 Micro-credential Learner Fee Subsidy has been introduced to enable more learners to address critical skills gaps and engage with lifelong learning through micro-credentials. The HCI Pillar 3 Micro-credential Learner Fee Subsidy is funded by Higher Education Authority (HEA) and the Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science.
HCI Micro-credential Learner Fee Subsidies are available on identified micro-credentials only from March 2024 until October 2025. Funded places are limited and course providers will administer the subsidy on a first come first serve basis.
Please see Eligibility Criteria for further information.
Participants will submit a reflection report, and feedback will be provided on this.
If you have any questions about this micro-credential, or would like to speak to a UCD staff member, please contact (opens in a new window)microcredentials@ucd.ie.