educational institution in Austin, Texas,
teaching Interaction Design and Social Entrepreneurship.
| Quarter 1 (8 weeks) | Quarter 2 (8 weeks) | Quarter 3 (8 weeks) | Quarter 4 (8 weeks) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Methods | IDSE101 Interaction Design Research and Synthesis |
IDSE201 Rapid Ideation and Creative Problem Solving |
IDSE301 Evaluation of Interaction Design Solutions |
IDSE401 Entrepreneurial Practice |
| Theory | IDSE102 Design, Society and the Public Sector |
IDSE202 Service Design |
IDSE302 Theory of Interaction Design and Social Entrepreneurship |
|
| Application | IDSE103 Studio: Foundation |
IDSE203 Studio: Research and Synthesis |
IDSE303 Studio: Ideation and Development |
IDSE403 Studio: Pilot Launch and Completion |
About This Course
This course describes the financial models and structures of business, as related to launching a particular design product, service or system. It introduces students to issues of organizational structure, for-profit and non-profit business activities, and methods of product introduction and distribution.
Core Concepts and Ideas
This class emphasizes the following main ideas, themes, and concepts:
- Grant systems, including tradeoffs between various funding sources and the nature of grant writing and facilitation
- Financial models, illustrating how to represent various fictional but realistic scenarios for funding
- Project management, in order to successfully coordinate both public and private regulations, rules, and procedures
- Non-profit law, methods, and tendencies
Outcomes and Competencies
The following outcome statements articulate the competencies, abilities, and skills a student will have as a result of completing this class. Students will...
- Be able to write a cohesive plan for introducing a given design solution into the world, describing issues related to the value of the design, the business plan for introduction, the timeline and dependencies related to the solution, and plans for growth and continued refinement
- Understand the methods of legal organizational structure that will enable a design solution to be successfully brought to fruition in society
- Be able to appropriately describe the entrance (and, if necessary, exit) strategy for a given design solution
- Be able to address – in both writing and in personal interactions – concerns of potential investors, donors, and other interested parties
Course Schedule
| Class # | Date | Theme | Before Class | In Class |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
1 |
Wed, 3/13 |
Defining the idea |
Discussion: Course overview Students to present your design solution, service or product |
|
|
2 |
Thu, 3/14 |
Defining the idea |
Review: A Business Plan? Or a Journey to Plan B? Why to Not Start a Startup Quora forum: As first time entrepreneurs, what part of the process are people often completely blind to? |
Discussion: Analogs, Antilogs and Leaps of Faith exercise |
|
3+4 |
Mon, 3/18/13 |
Building the idea |
Review: How to Start a Startup Greatest of Max Levchin’s Lessons Learned as a Young Entrepreneur Top Five pieces of Advice for Entrepreneurs |
Discussion: Once you’ve defined your idea, what are the next set of product-related activities to insure continued growth and success? |
|
5+6 |
Mon, 3/25/13 |
Pitching the idea |
Review: Complete Pitch Yourself! Exercise Going to Raise VC? Here’s a Primer on Process, People & Powerpoint Deck How to Handle a VC Presentation With No Deck Meeting a VC |
Discussion: The focus is on developing the skills to quickly and successfully articulate the value of your idea. |
|
7+8 |
Mon, 4/1/13 |
Structuring the idea |
Review: The For-Benefit Enterprise A New Approach to Funding Social Enterprises Corporations Section of the Texas Secretary of State website |
Discussion: A comprehensive review of the options for structuring the business around your design solution, service or product, including:
|
|
9+10 |
Mon, 4/8/13 |
Funding the idea |
Review
Review:
|
Discussion: As more and more non-traditional funding becomes available, we will discuss the funding landscape and how/if you want to navigate it as you move forward with your idea. |
|
11+12 |
Mon, 4/15/13 |
Getting advice on the idea |
Review: How Serial Entrepreneurs Build and Manage a Board of Directors in a Venture-Backed Start Up Complete the following assignments: Identify someone with whom you’d like to meet, and leverage your network to get an introduction. Use the introduction to set up a phone call, video call, or in-person meeting. Identify someone with whom you’d like to meet, send them a cold-email introducing yourself. Get them to agree to a phone call, video call, or in-person meeting with you. |
Discussion: As you move forward with your idea, you’re going to need to build a support system. You will need to start building an advisory board—a group of people that represent the skills you are missing – tech, marketing, PR, etc. |
|
13+14 |
Mon, 4/22/13 |
The logistics of the idea |
Review: Building the company versus building the business Starting a Business section of the IRS website Corporations Section of the Texas Secretary of State website |
Discussion: A business is often more than just the product. In this class, we will discuss the most important activities (both strategic and tactical) from a management point of view. |
|
15+16 |
Mon, 4/29/13 |
Evaluating the idea |
Review: When do you throw in the towel on your struggling project? |
Discussion: Part of launching an idea includes consistent introspection and evaluation on the merits of the operation. This class discussion will focus on the right questions to ask when determining success. |
