This course will help your team deepen their skills, confidence and shared understanding of using design and innovation methods for social impact.

Design Thinking (& Doing) for Social Innovation is a short course based on what we’ve learnt at TACSI about using design mindsets, methods and practices to create social purpose innovations – in systems, policy and services.

In this course your team will explore the fundamentals of design thinking and doing with TACSI’s Chief Innovation Officer Chris Vanstone – drawing on his 25 years of design experience, key theory and TACSI case studies.

Your facilitators

Chris Vanstone

Chief Innovation Officer, TACSI

Chris started his career designing biscuits and razors before transitioning into social innovation over 20 years ago. As TACSI’s CIO, he’s responsible for keeping TACSI at the cutting edge of social innovation, playing a big role in the development of our practice, major initiatives and strategy. Chris’ goal is to democratise social innovation. He’s always striving to get important concepts into the world in ways that are clear.

What learners will experience

  • The podcast – introduces learning modules and is hosted by Chris featuring thinkers, writers and practitioners from TACSI talking about their work.

  • 4 x 1.5hr live zoom sessions with your fellow learners or 1 full day session. Live sessions recap on the main learning points, provide a space for personal reflection and feature interactive learning experiences to deepen your understanding.

  • The course deck – somewhere between a course book and a slide deck this document summarises the main learning points, frameworks, and visual references, complementing the podcast and live sessions.

  • Resource list – recommended tools and frameworks.

  • Read and watch list – books, articles and videos to extend your design learning, with recommendations for each module.

Questions learners will be able to answer at the end of the course:

  • When is design a good approach, and when not?

  • How can I Identify opportunities for innovation?

  • How can I have better ideas?

  • How can I turn ideas into solutions that work?

  • What’s good design practice and what’s not?

  • How can I use design thinking & doing in my work?

  • How can I continue my learning journey in design thinking and social innovation?

Included in the workshop package

  • 2hrs of introductory conversation to support tailoring the workshop

  • Up to 4hrs of tailoring workshop materials to fit your needs

  • 4hrs of audio learning via the course podcast

  • 6hrs of workshop delivery online (or in person with additional travel costs)

  • Lifelong access to resources and guidance via the TACSI Learning Hub including via the Learning Hub smart phone app

  • Midpoint and endpoint evaluation of the course from participants

Pricing and booking

Contact our Learning Coordinator, at [email protected] if you have any questions or to make your booking.

Duration:
6hrs of contact time. Delivered as 4 x 1.5hr sessions online over 4 weeks, or over one day in person.
4hrs of podcast listening

Technology:
Hosted online via Zoom or Teams
Learning materials accessible via web browser

Price: 

AUD $11,000 inclusive taxes for up to 10 participants ($10,000 ex GST)

AUD $22,000 inclusive taxes for up to 25 participants ($20,000 ex GST)

Plus additional travel costs if delivered in person, dependent on location.

Course curriculum

    1. An introduction to the course and what’s required.

    1. Assumptions, the innovation journey, power, participation, trust and when (not) to use design.

    1. Discovery work, design research methods, recruitment, consent, making sense of it all, shaping good opportunities and sharing them.

    1. Having good ideas, developing good concepts, making good choices.

    1. Prototyping and beyond; developing improving, evaluating & scaling concepts

About this course

  • Book now
  • Online and in-person options
  • Tailored to your needs

What learners said

“I cannot recommend TACSI’s Co-Design Learning Network highly enough. Brilliantly presented and worked through, I have gained valuable information and tools to seriously bring about true teamwork and co-design to my workplace.”

Participant, 2023

“I'm definitely going to be more aware of power imbalances, and of the unique kinds of power people hold”

Participant, 2023

“The co-facilitation was fantastic, enabling many additional aspects or ideas to be gently presented.”

Participant, 2023

“The course supported me to understand the co-design process and to apply it in practice.”

Participant, 2023

FAQs

  • How long will my team have access to the materials?

    You will have lifelong access to the course materials.

  • Will my team get a certificates?

    Yes, team members be presented with a certificate on completing the course.

  • Who can I talk to about any other questions?

    You can speak with our Learning Coordinator, via email ([email protected])