Minor in Design Thinking

Design Thinking is a process that uses interdisciplinary approaches to designing, building, and evaluating user experiences across a range of technologies, systems, and objects. People with design thinking skills are in high demand across a range of industries including software and website development, product design, user experience design, instructional design, architecture and planning, global health, global management and consulting, and international development. These skills prepare graduates to be flexible and adaptable in different roles and careers.

Develop Your Skills

• Implement a design project by exploring alternatives, synthesizing, evaluating, modeling, testing, critiquing, revising, and improving.
• Problem solving skills, analytical and communication skills.
• Teamwork and project management skills
• Computational skills and experience creating digital and physical solutions.

Choose Your Track

Choose from one of two tracks: Design in the Built Environment or User Experience Design.

Design in the Built Environment

The Design in the Built Environment track focuses on the use of Design Thinking in the design of 2D and 3D objects, buildings, structures, and landscapes.

User Experience Design (UXD)

The UXD track focuses on the use of Design Thinking in the UXD context, which includes mobile applications, web technologies, educational technologies, sales and marketing products, health and fitness devices, communication design, software design, and learning design.

Opportunities

All students have opportunities to

• conduct independent research
• engage in globally-related activities through coursework and language study at Mason and abroad
• participate in many forms of public service
• prepare for their future careers through internships, career-focused minors and other college-to-career activities