AEM 4375

Business Design

Course Description

Course information provided by the 2025-2026 Catalog.

This engaged learning course applies design strategies to real-world problems in a business context; in other words, we take a human-centered approach to innovation. Students will act as business design consultants working directly with a social enterprise client on a set of challenges throughout the semester, applying design tools, theories and overall process to a project that results in a portfolio-ready deliverable. Working in multidisciplinary teams with real deadlines and deliverables, students will use a design toolkit and mindset for creative problem solving. This collaboration will allow students to immerse themselves in a professional setting in which they explore business opportunities; develop innovative concepts; and propose and prototype innovative and entrepreneurial solutions. Students will tackle issues and challenges such as new product, service or business model development; organizational structure and growth; and external threats and opportunities. Past clients include the City of Ithaca Economic Development and Finger Lakes ReUse.

Prerequisites REF-FA25 AEM 3110/AEM 5110, relevant coursework/experience, or permission of instructor.

Exploratory Studies (CU-CEL)

Last 4 Terms Offered 2023FA, 2022FA, 2021FA, 2020SP

Learning Outcomes REF-FA25

• Students will be able to apply qualitative and ethnographic design research techniques in a client-based project.
• Students will be able to hone visualization and storytelling methods to synthesize and communicate data and concepts.
• Students will be able to use the iterative process for problem solving: generating, testing, and refining ideas, products, business models, etc.
• Students will be able to practice working collaboratively in multidisciplinary teams.
• Students will be able to model innovative concepts at the intersection of design and business.

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