Service Design (10 cr)

Learning outcomes

The student is able to
- describe how value is created for the customers through service
- recognize the essence of Service Design thinking and methods
- plan, implement and evaluate a Service Design project using service design methods
- apply creative problem-solving and develop working methods individually and in teams
- foster entrepreneurship through service design

Materials

Stickdorn M., Hormess M., Lawrence A. & Schneider J. 2018. This is service design doing. Sebastopol: O’Reilly.

Ebook: https://laurea.finna.fi/Search/Results?lookfor=this+is+service+design+doing&type=AllFields

Knapp, J., Zeratsky, J. & Kowitz, B. 2016. Sprint (Links to an external site.): How to solve big problems and test new ideas in just five days. New York: Simon & Schuster.

Teaching methods

This is an online implementation consisting of two separate parts. The first Theory section 1 is a prerequisite for the second Project section 2.

The Theory section 1 (online) runs through 1.5.-27.5.2025. Theory needs to be completed before taking the Project section 2.

Study unit info on ZOOM on 5.5.2025 at 16:00-17.00. Coaches are available for Q & A.

The Project section 2 is an online Design Sprint, which includes a service design project as a teamwork, based on a real-life design challenge. We will use Canvas, digital co-creation tool Miro and Zoom. The Project section 2 (online Design Sprint + Intensive teamwork) runs through 2-17.6.2025. Design Sprint Portfolio finalization and final portfolio return by 19.6. at 23:59.

Design Sprint has three phases: Pre-Sprint, Sprint and After Sprint. Participating in all below listed sprint sessions is mandatory. In addition to the guided sessions, please prepare yourself also for intensive teamwork in-between the sessions.

Please note: THE PARTICIPATION IN ALL THE LISTED SESSIONS IS MANDATORY. YOU COMMIT YOURSELF TO FINISH A PROJECT FOR THE PROJECT PROVIDER BY Pääkaupunkiseudun Kierrätyskeskus REGISTERING TO THIS STUDY UNIT.

Employer connections

Project section:
Service Design project / Sprint for Pääkaupunkiseudun Kierrätyskeskus (Reuse center)
Student teams will develop a service concept based on given design challenge.

Exam schedules

This is an online implementation consisting of two separate parts. The first Theory section 1 is a prerequisite for the second Project section 2.

The Theory section 1 (online) runs through1.5.-27.5.2025. Study unit info incl. Q&A on ZOOM, 5.5.2025 at 16:00 hrs-17.00 hrs.

Pre-sprint:
Monday 2.6.2025 at 16.00 – 20.00 in Zoom. Agenda: Welcome & Kierrätyskeskus Project Kick-off, Orientation, Team building and choosing the sprint roles
Tuesday 3.6.2025 at 16.00 – 20.00 in Zoom. Agenda: Customer insight & instructions for the problem interviews, Personas and customer journeys, Interview planning (Teams’ interview plans to be returned by the end of the day in Canvas.
Wednesday 4.6. – Friday 6.6.2025 consumer interviews: Execution, analysis and visualization of problem interviews. Please book the whole day (8:00 hrs-17:00 hrs for consumer problem interviews and analysis)

Sprint:
Mon 9.6.2025 at 16.00 – 20.00 in Zoom. Sprint Day 1: Map
Tue 10.6.2025 at 16.00 – 20.00 in Zoom. Sprint Day 2: Sketch
Wed 11.6.2025 at 16.00 – 20.00 in Zoom. Sprint Day 3: Decide & Kierrätyskeskus mid-week coaching
Thu 12.6.2025 at 16.00 – 20.00 in Zoom. Sprint Day 4: Prototype
Fri 13.6.2025 Sprint Day 5: Test (please book the whole day (8:00 hrs-17:00 hrs for consumer test interviews and analysis) and Zoom at 17.00-18.00 Pitching & Business Model Canvas

After Sprint:
Monday 16.6.2025 at 16.00 – 20.00 in Zoom. Service Concept Pitching rehearsals
Tuesday 17.6.2025 Pitching to Kierrätyskeskus
Finalization of Design Portfolio and return 19.6.2025 at 23:59

(Note: times are tentative and subject to change)

International connections

Theory and Project section: execution in English.

Completion alternatives

All students are entitled to demonstrate their competence. The recognition and accreditation of prior competence is initiated by the students themselves. The competence is recognized and accredited by the teacher responsible for the studies or another person designated to the position. The assessment is carried out according to the same assessment criteria and, as a rule, same grading scale as that adopted for the corresponding study unit or module. The student is entitled to apply for accreditation of prior competence regardless of where, how and when the competence has been acquired. The student may also seek accreditation of competence to be acquired on the job as part of their degree (work-based learning). ... The student is responsible for demonstrating and verifying their competence and for providing sufficient information.

Student workload

THEORY SECTION
The course is 3 ects which equals approximately 81h of studying.
Work is done individually.

PROJECT SECTION
The course is 7 ects, which equals approximately 189h of studying.
Most of the work will be done in teams.
Please note! If you register to this study unit, you have to be able to be present during all the sessions listed in the Important dates section, as well as prepare yourself for intensive teamwork in-between the sessions. You commit yourself to finish a project for the project provider Pääkaupunkiseudun Kierrätyskeskus (Reuse Center)

Content scheduling

This is an online implementation consisting of two separate parts. The first Theory section 1 is a prerequisite for the second Project section 2.

The Theory section 1 (online) runs through 1.5.-27.5.2025. Theory needs to be completed before taking the Project section 2.

The Project section 2 is an online Design Sprint, which includes a service design project as a teamwork, based on a real-life design challenge. We will use Canvas, digital co-creation tool Miro and Zoom. The Project section 2 (online Design Sprint + Intensive teamwork) runs through 2.6.-17.6.2025. Design Sprint has three phases: Pre-Sprint, Sprint and After Sprint. Participating in all below listed sprint sessions is mandatory. In addition to the guided sessions, please prepare yourself also for intensive teamwork in-between the sessions.
Please note: THE PARTICIPATION IN ALL THE LISTED SESSIONS IS MANDATORY. YOU COMMIT YOURSELF TO FINISH A PROJECT FOR THE PROJECT PROVIDER company tba BY REGISTERING TO THIS STUDY UNIT.

Evaluation scale

H-5

Further information

According to the degree regulations (section 18) “students must be present in the first contact session or notify their teacher in charge if they cannot attend. If they fail to notify the teacher of their absence in the first contact session, their enrolment will be rejected. Another student in the queue may be enrolled in the study unit in the place of the absent student.” (Laurea degree regulations)

In the case of online studies the lecturer can also specify some other way than participation on an online meeting what is required from the student so that he/she verifies his/her attendance on the study unit (Decision by the vice president, education 7/2019).