Digital Service Design (5cr)

Evaluation scale

H-5

Schedule

The course lectures will be held on Mondays and Wednesdays between 12.1.-13.3.2026. Participation in the lectures/learning sessions is needed. If student is absent more than 25% grade will be deducted by one. If student is absent more than 50% course is failed. See detailed schedule in Moodle.

Implementation methods, demonstration and Work&Study

Implementation method: CONTACT / CONTACT BLENDED
Descriptions of implementation methods can be found in Haaga-Helia's website: https://www.haaga-helia.fi/en/implementation-types

You can complete the course unit by demonstrating or by Work&Study even if the course unit doesn't have DEMO or WORKSTUDY implementations.
More information about recognition of learning at Haaga-Helia's website: https://www.haaga-helia.fi/en/career-planning/recognition-learning

Brief description about the demonstration assignment: you are requested to demonstrate and discuss a case where you participated in your previous experience. Contact your teacher for more detailed information.

Intro

In today’s digital economy, designing services that are user-centered, efficient, and innovative is essential for business success. This course introduces you to the principles and practices of digital service design, combining elements from design thinking, user experience (UX), business strategy, and technology.
You will learn how to identify user needs, map service journeys, prototype digital solutions, and evaluate service performance. Through case studies, hands-on projects, and collaborative exercises, you will gain practical skills in designing digital services that deliver value to both users and organizations.
By the end of the course, you will be able to apply service design methodologies to real-world challenges and contribute to the development of impactful digital services in various sectors.

Materials

In the course assignments, it is necessary to utilize literature, articles, and other reference materials related to the topics. Material tips, as well as the lecture presentation decks, can be found on the course's Moodle learning platform. Additionally, self-directed information searching is supported and guided.

Book: Sprint - How to solve big problems and test new ideas in just five days by Jake Knapp et al. (Google Ventures)

Teaching methods and instruction

This implementation consists of in-class lectures, individual assignments, and group exercises.

Working life connections

The course includes guest speakers from the working life, either through recordings or meetings. The course involves a working life connected design challenge project.

Exam dates and re-exam possibilities

There is no exam in this implementation.

Internationality

International literature, learning materials and cases are used as part of the course references.

The course is targeted for international students, which provides participants with possibilities for intercultural collaboration.

Completion alternatives

Recognition of previous learning: contact teacher during the first week.

Learning assignments

The course consists of the following learning activities: -Individual assignments -Project work in teams of 3-5 students -Presentations -Discussions, lectures

Assessment methods

Grading is based on personal learning portfolio and team portfolio.
Graded 1-5
If student is absent more than 25% grade will be deducted by one. If student is absent more than 50% course is failed.

Assessment criteria - grade 1
Student knows partially the digital service design and development components.

Assessment criteria - grade 3
Student knows the basic service design principles and is familiar with development technologies. Student is capable independently search for existing components to design and develop a digital service. Additionally, the student is able to merge and utilize different technologies to develop a digital service. The student has competence on graphical design principles.

Assessment criteria - grade 5
Student can elaborate different service design principles and techniques. Student can recommend the components and technologies based on the context of use of the digital service. Student can develop a high-quality digital service as designed. Student is capable of analyzing and recommending appropriate design principles based on the context of use of the digital service.