Service Design (10cr)

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

Teaching methods

This implementation consists of two separate parts. The first part (Theory section) is a prerequisite for the second part (Project section).

The Theory section must be completed during the period 12.1.-1.2.2026 and needs to be completed before taking the Project section. It is completed independently in Canvas.

The Project section starts with a kick-off in Zoom on 9.2.2026 and ends on 6.4.2026 with final presentations. All the meetings are in Zoom (see detailed schedule in Canvas).

Buddycheck self and peer assessments will be completed at the end of the study unit (mandatory).

Learning materials and recommended literature

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

Alternative completion methods of implementation

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 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.

Co-operation with working life and/or RDI

The project section consists of a Service Design project.
Student teams develop a service concept following the service design process.

Important dates

THEORY SECTION 12.1.-1.2.2026 needs to be completed before taking the the Project section.The theory section covers the service design process (Double Diamond), methods and tools, and includes 5 tests (Quizzes) to be taken individually. All tests can be taken at the student's own pace during the given time frame. In order to pass the theory section, a minimum total point score has to be achieved before the project section starts (see details in Canvas). Only students who have passed the theory part will be admitted to the project part.

PROJECT SECTION 9.2.- 6.4.2026 will be conducted online according to a pre-defined schedule (see details in Canvas). The project part requires active teamwork, including co-creation. Participation to the project kick off 9.2.2026 and final client presentations 6.4.2026 are essential.Project will be carried out in project teams including kick off, five (5) project guidance Zoom sessions, project presentation session and returning the final portfolio, Buddy Check Self and Peer evaluation.
The project teams will work both in the project guidance Zoom sessions and between the Zoom sessions according to the schedules agreed by the project teams themselves. Minimum 2/3 of team members is mandatory to be present in guidance sessions.

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 enrollment will be rejected. Another student in the queue may be enrolled in the study unit in the place of the absent student.”

Forms of internationality

The study unit is implemented in English.
The study unit is suitable for exchange students.

Student workload

THEORY SECTION
This part is 3 ects which equals to approximately 81 hours of studying.
Work is done individually.

PROJECT SECTION
This part is 7 ects which equals to approximately 189 hours of studying.
Most of the work is done in teams.

Content and scheduling

Both the theory and project parts follow the Double Diamond service design process model: Discover, Define, Develop, Deliver. Each phase will be introduced and teams will apply them to practice during the project.

Further information

The study unit corresponds to the requirements of Bachelor's level education.

According to the degree regulations (section 18) "students must be present for the first contact teaching session, or they must notify the responsible teacher of their absence to confirm they intend to participate in studies, Alternatively, the teacher can specify a different manner for the student to confirm that they intend to participate in the studies. The completion of these measures can be required within a week of the studies having begun. The application of the aforementioned approach requires that the teacher notifies the students accepted to the study unit of the practice and that the practice is specifically mentioned in the study unit’s implementation plan.

If the student has a justified reason for not attending the first contact teaching session or for not notifying the teacher of their intention to be involved in studies in the manner required by the teacher, the student must contact the responsible teacher to agree on participation in the studies. Their registration for the study unit will be rejected, of the student does not notify the teacher of being absent from the first contact teaching session or the reason for their absence cannot be considered justified, Another student who is in line for the study unit can be selected in their place."

Evaluation scale

H-5