Apply Design Thinking for Product Innovation* (24 HOURS)

Apply Design Thinking for Product Innovation
*This is a non-WSQ module.

"Apply Design Thinking for Product Innovation" is created in collaboration between A*STAR SIMTech and PALO IT, a renowned digital technology & innovation consultancy headquartered in France.

A*STAR Singapore Institute of Manufacturing Technology (SIMTech) and PALO IT have jointly developed a unique and immersive “Apply Design Thinking for Product Innovation” course that covers in-depth the essential design thinking elements of discovery, synthesis, ideation, prototyping and validation. Participants will learn and apply design thinking principles in the form of hands-on prototyping activities within SIMTech’s experimental labs. This 24-hour course serves as an intermediate level entry into the design thinking space.

COURSE INTRODUCTION

Design thinking as a methodology and its application in the form of state-of-the-art product prototyping techniques can save vast amounts of investment when exploring new ideas in the fields of product innovation. The process of design thinking is green and sustainable, as an emphasis on the prototyping and user-validation stages ensure that the products generated will have market traction. Participants can expect dynamic, engaging and insightful sessions full of real-world case studies led by certified Design Thinking coaches and UI/UX (User Interface/User Experience) designers. Participants will learn how to generate an innovative, consumer-oriented strategy that minimises the risk of bringing a new product to market by developing deep insights and rapid prototyping skills through a 5-step methodology of:

  • EMPATHISE
  • DEFINE
  • IDEATE
  • PROTOTYPE
  • TEST

Participants will learn to use software to model the product concepts and use a 3D printer to create prototypes. They will also learn about product engineering requirements and Design for Manufacturing & Assembly (DFMA).

WHO SHOULD ATTEND

  • All Industries which relate to new product design/development or service design/development
  • Individuals with prior design thinking knowledge seeking skills improvement and knowledge enhancement in the fields of design thinking, product design and innovation
  • Product Engineers / Product Managers
  • Mid-career switchers

Course Outline

Course Outline

The programme employs the Learn-Practise-Implement™ (LPI™) pedagogy, where fundamental knowledge and principles taught will be reinforced with hands-on practices.

Key focus areas or applications:

  • EMPATHISE: Utilising techniques such as user interviews to understand challenges from the lens of user
  • DEFINE: Defining the challenge at hand through the creation of user personas
  • IDEATE: Brainstorming of strategies and solutions to address the challenges that the users face
  • PROTOTYPE: Creating demonstrable solutions through sketching/wireframing/simulation
  • TEST: Bringing the prototyped solutions back to the user to begin the iterative cycle of improvement and enhancement

Upon Completion of This Course

UPON COMPLETION OF THIS COURSE

Participants will be awarded with a Certificate of Attendance (COA) by SIMTech and/or ARTC if they meet the following criteria:

  • Achieve at least 75% course attendance;
  • Take all assessments; and
  • Pass the course.

Note: Trainees will have to bear the full courses fee upon failure to meet either one of the criteria.

Pre-Requisites, Full and Nett Course Fees

Pre-Requisites

  • Applicants should possess a degree in any discipline or a diploma with a minimum of 3 years of related working experience.
  • Applicants who do not have the required academic qualifications are still welcome to apply, but shortlisted candidates may be required to attend an interview for special approval.
  • Proficiency in written and spoken English.

Full Course fee

The full course fee for this module is $2,400 before funding and prevailing GST.

Nett Course Fee

International
Participants
Singapore Citizens aged 39 years and below, Singapore Permanent Residents and LTVP+ HoldersEmployer-sponsored and self-sponsored Singapore Citizens aged 40 years and above
(MCES) ²
SME-sponsored local employees (i.e Singapore Citizens, Singapore Permanent Residents and LTVP+ Holders) (ETSS) ¹
$2,616
$784.80$304.80$304.80
All fees are inclusive of GST 9%.

Please note that fees and funding amount are subject to change.

  • Long Term Visit Pass Plus (LTVP+) Holders
    The LTVP+ scheme applies to lawful foreign spouses of Singapore Citizens with (i) at least one Singapore Citizen child or are expecting one from the marriage, or at least three years of marriage, and (ii) where the Singapore Citizen sponsor is able to support the family.

    All LTVP+ holders can be identified with their green visit pass cards, with the word ‘PLUS’ printed on the back of the card.

    • ¹ Under the Enhanced Training Support for Small & Medium Enterprises (SMEs) scheme (ETSS), subject to eligibility criteria shown below.

      SMEs that meet all of the following eligibility criteria:

      • Registered or incorporated in Singapore
      • Employment size of not more than 200 or with annual sales turnover of not more than $100 million

      SME-sponsored Trainees:

      • Must be Singapore Citizens or Singapore Permanent Residents.
      • Courses have to be fully paid for by the employer.
      • Trainee is not a full-time national serviceman. 

      Further Info: This scheme is intended for all organisations, including non-business entities not registered with ACRA e.g. VWOs, societies, etc. Only ministries, statutory boards, and other government agencies are NOT eligible under Enhanced Training Support for SMEs Scheme. Sole proprietorships which meet all of the above criteria are also eligible.

    Singaporeans aged 25 years old and above are eligible for SkillsFuture Credit which can be used to offset course fees (for self-sponsored registrations only).

    For more information on the SkillsFuture funding schemes you are eligible for, please visit www.skillsfuture.gov.sg


    How course fees are calculated

    TYPECATEGORY OF INDIVIDUALS
    International ParticipantsSingapore Citizens aged 39 years and below, Singapore Permanent Residents and LTVP+ Holders Employer-sponsored and self-sponsored Singapore Citizens aged 40 years and above SME-sponsored local employees (i.e Singapore Citizens, Singapore Permanent Residents and LTVP+ Holders)
     FUNDING SOURCE
    Not applicable for SkillsFuture Funding SkillsFuture Funding (Baseline) SkillsFuture Mid-career Enhanced Subsidy (MCES) ² SkillsFuture Enhanced Training Support for SMEs (ETSS) ¹
    Full Course Fee$2,400$2,400 $2,400$2,400
    SkillsFuture FundingNot Applicable ($1,680)($2,160)($2,160)
    Nett Course Fee$2,400$720$240$240
    GST 9%
    $216 $64.80* $64.80* $64.80*
    Total Nett Course Fee Payable to Training Provider$2,616 $784.80 $304.80$304.80
    * Based on 30% of Full Course Fee

    Contact Us

    • For general enquiries, please contact:

    Dr WANG Zhenfeng,
    Email: zfwang@SIMTech.a-star.edu.sg

    • For general enquiries, please contact:

    Ms SEE Hai Yun, 
    Email: see_hai_yun@SIMTech.a-star.edu.sg


    Registration

    • Please register for this course through our Course Registration Form for Public Classes.
    • For the first question, please select Qn1: Modular Programmes
    • Applicants will be placed on our waiting list if the course does not have an upcoming scheduled intake.
    • Once the next intake is confirmed to commence, SIMTech will contact the applicants to share the class information.

    Schedule

    Module
    Skills Course Reference Number Training Period
    (Click on dates to view brochure)
    Registration Status
    • Apply Design Thinking for Product Innovation (24 hours)
    TGS-2021010205The next intake's schedule is still in the planning stage. 

    Note: SIMTech and ARTC reserve the right to change the class/schedule/course fee or any details about the course without prior notice to the participants.

    Announcement:

    • From 1 Oct 2023, attendance-taking for SkillsFuture Singapore (SSG)'s funded courses must be done digitally via the Singpass App. More information may be viewed here.
    Sessions
    FD: Full day
    AM: Morning
    PM: Afternoon
    EVE: Evening