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

Location and time

The Theory section is an online course, which includes learning of service design process (Double Diamond), methods and tools independently in Canvas working space .

The Project section is online based which includes a service design project as team work. The project is based on a real-life design challenge.
The participation for the project kick off and presentation meetings is mandatory.

Materials

Stickdorn, M., Lawrence, A. and Hormess, M., Schneider, J. 2018.This is service design doing : applying service design thinking in the real world : a practitioner's handbook.Canada: O'Reilly.

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

Teaching methods

This course includes theory and project work. The learning platform is Canvas.
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, independent studies) needs to be completed by 28.9.2025 before taking the Project section.
The Project section 2 starts after the theory is finished. The project work may require some flexibly scheduled (=the team plans the schedule between team members, not everybody needs to take part, if they do some other work in the team) visits in the project partner premises within the capital region, although the teaching sessions are online.

Employer connections

Student teams (5 persons per team) will develop a project work for companies.

Exam schedules

THEORY SECTION 1 between 26.8.-28.9.2025
Needs to be completed before taking the Project section. Final deadline is 28-9-2025.
The theory section covers service design process (Double Diamond), methods and tools, and includes various tasks and tests to be taken individually. All tests can be taken at the student's own pace by certain deadline and need to be passed.

PROJECT SECTION 2 29.9.-25.11.2025
Service Design project will be conducted in 4 development phases, which are based on pre-defined schedule.

International connections

Theory and Project section: execution in English.
The study unit is suitable for exchange students

Completion alternatives

According to degree regulations “All students are entitled to demonstrate their competence. The recognition and accreditation of prior competence is initiated by the students themselves. The competence is recognised and accredited by the teacher responsible for the module or study unit or another person designated by the director of the UAS unit. The assessment is carried out according to the same criteria and grading scale as that adopted for the corresponding study unit.”

Theory section: no alternatives - if you have the knowledge, the quizzes should be easy and fast to finish.

Project section:
A prior knowledge and competence in an applied service design project can be manifested through alternative methods. For example, as a detailed 12-15 page project report which includes the project partners' evaluations. For further consultation, please be in touch with the instructor.

Student workload

Theory 3 ects (weigh 30%)
Project 7 ects (weigh 70%)

Content scheduling

THEORY SECTION
The theory section covers service design process (Double Diamond), methods and tools, and includes various tasks and tests to be taken individually. All tests can be taken at the student's own pace and need to be passed.

PROJECT SECTION
Study unit consists of the project work with four different phases.

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.”