multifaceted world of
design at BC.
Design studies ignites intellectual curiosity and fosters human connection.
In today’s rapidly changing world, the ability to think critically, creatively solve complex problems, and collaborate effectively is an invaluable asset. At Boston College, design is not just as a set of creative tools, but a transformative educational approach that fosters these essential skills while nurturing personal growth. At the heart of BC Design Studies is design thinking, a powerful, human-centered approach to innovation and problem-solving.
Design studies ignites intellectual curiosity and fosters human connection.
In today’s rapidly changing world, the ability to think critically, creatively solve complex problems, and collaborate effectively is an invaluable asset. At Boston College, design is not just as a set of creative tools, but a transformative educational approach that fosters these essential skills while nurturing personal growth. At the heart of BC Design Studies is design thinking, a powerful, human-centered approach to innovation and problem-solving.
We champion hands-on, experiential learning where students actively engage in the process of discovery, innovation, and creation in and out of the classroom. By centering learning around students’ unique needs and experiences, we cultivate not only sharp analytical minds but also deep empathy, resilience, and the creative confidence needed to tackle real-world challenges.
The Design Commons Collective equips students to navigate ambiguity and an increasingly complex world with creativity and confidence. Design studies fosters innovative solutions and fundamentally shapes how students think, collaborate, and approach challenges–preparing them for a future that demands creativity and adaptability.
To develop deep understanding and connection by engaging directly with users through interviews, observation, and empathy mapping. Skill Focus (Tags?): Empathy, Emotional Intelligence, Observation, Interviewing.
To develop deep understanding and connection by engaging directly with users through interviews, observation, and empathy mapping. Skill Focus (Tags?): Empathy, Emotional Intelligence, Observation, Interviewing.
To generate a wide spectrum of creative solutions through brainstorming, mind mapping, and other techniques that encourage divergent thinking. Skill Focus (Tags?): Creativity, Brainstorming, Divergent Thinking, Collaboration.
To transform abstract ideas into tangible forms—from simple sketches to interactive models—to test concepts quickly and learn through making. Skill Focus (Tags?): Practical Application, Experimentation, Resilience, Problem-Solving.
To gather feedback on prototypes directly from users to evaluate solutions, gain new insights, and inform further iteration. Skill Focus (Tags?): User-Centered Evaluation, Critical Analysis, Feedback Synthesis, Iteration
Human Centered
Start by deeply understanding the needs, experiences, and emotions of the people we are designing for, ensuring solutions are truly meaningful and impactful. Empathy is our foundation.
Iterative
Embrace a flexible, cyclical approach rather than a rigid, linear path. Learning, testing, and refining ideas based on feedback is central to how we work.
Action & Experimentation
Embrace a flexible, cyclical approach rather than a rigid, linear path. Learning, testing, and refining ideas based on feedback is central to how we work.
Collaboration
Diverse perspectives lead to stronger solutions. Teamwork, active listening, and building on each other’s ideas are fundamental to the DCC experience.
Through project-based, collaborative curricular and extracurricular studies, students in Design Studies at BC cultivate a portfolio of skills highly valued in today’s complex world, such as:
Define phase analysis, user research synthesis, iterative testing, evaluating complex, ill-defined challenges
- Critical Analysis,
- Define & Frame Problems
- Systems Thinking
- Strategic Planning
Define phase analysis, user research synthesis, iterative testing, evaluating complex, ill-defined challenges
- Critical Analysis,
- Define & Frame Problems
- Systems Thinking
- Strategic Planning
Define phase analysis, user research synthesis, iterative testing, evaluating complex, ill-defined challenges
- Critical Analysis,
- Define & Frame Problems
- Systems Thinking
- Strategic Planning
Define phase analysis, user research synthesis, iterative testing, evaluating complex, ill-defined challenges
- Critical Analysis,
- Define & Frame Problems
- Systems Thinking
- Strategic Planning
Define phase analysis, user research synthesis, iterative testing, evaluating complex, ill-defined challenges
- Critical Analysis,
- Define & Frame Problems
- Systems Thinking
- Strategic Planning
Define phase analysis, user research synthesis, iterative testing, evaluating complex, ill-defined challenges
Ideate phase activities, encouraging “wild ideas,” visual methods (sketching, mapping), prototyping diverse solutions
Group projects, peer critiques, presenting prototypes/findings, articulating design rationaleDefine phase analysis, user research synthesis, iterative testing, evaluating complex, ill-defined challenges
Hands-on Prototype and Test phases, user research activities, learning relevant tools in studios/labs
Empathize phase, learning from prototype failures, navigating ambiguity, iterative refinement, collaborative work
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Want to be a part of
like-minded thinkers?
DCC that love to solve
problems, ideate & make.
