DJCAD Summer School

Design Thinking for Civic Innovation is an exciting and fun three-week credit-bearing course that will combine learning and enrich your degree experience no matter what you are studying, with cultural visits across the city of Dundee and Scotland.

The course will run between 22 July to 9 August 2024.

Located on the east coast of Scotland, Dundee is home to V&A Dundee, Scotland’s Design Museum and is the UK’s first and only UNESCO City of Design - an accolade which acknowledges a city rich in design and cultural heritage. 

The three-week residential programme will introduce you to the core concepts of design thinking as a mindset process, and toolbox to address complex problems in a structured and creative way.

Through a range of hands-on design-led workshops and real-world case studies, you will be taught by leading design practitioners and learn how to approach contemporary issues from a human-centred perspective, applying innovation process models and practical tools and methods to generate solutions that meet user needs and have a positive impact on society and the environment.

The Summer School programme kicks off in week one with introductions to the university and opportunities to explore both the campus and the city. A treasure hunt and welcome dinner is planned to help you meet with fellow participants, and teaching staff on day one. 

A design sprint will be held at V&A Dundee and you’ll begin to learn about the origins of design thinking, stakeholder mapping and engage with cross-cultural groups. A Ceilidh – a Scottish-themed dance party - has been organised to let you truly embrace traditional Scottish culture and traditions. A further dinner and Civic Reception hosted at Dundee Council is planned for the end of the week before you head to Loch Ness, in search of the fabled monster, on Saturday. 

Weeks two and three will combine teaching with self-directed study time, a guided tour of the V&A and a trip to explore Edinburgh, Scotland’s capital city. Your summer school experience will end with a final learning outcomes presentation and a celebration dinner.