Transformative
& Systemic Design
Certificate Program

Explore our complete 30-session Program, consisting of 5+1 independent but interlinked Modules

Program Structure

The 5+1 Modules comprise 3 main building blocks, that fit into each other like Russian nesting dolls. Every Module consist of six 2-hour-sessions, which can be taken as individual Courses (some requirements may apply).

Two Modules are in Systems Thinking, exploring how thinking is not synonymous with analysis. Each Module is a discrete Course in its own right, focusing on the qualitative and quantitative sides of Systems Thinking respectively.
Two Modules fit in Design Beyond Thinking. We will explore how thinking is just one of four functions of consciousness, and how you can use intuition, feeling and sensation in your design practice. These Modules also function as individual courses.
One Module concerns itself with Disciplined Imagination. Creativity is not just something that happens to you involuntarily – or rather, it shouldn’t be. This Course will explore imagination as a discipline, that you can more consciously control.

The ‘+1’ Module is a capstone project, that participants should identify and begin working on after the first Module, and continue throughout the program.

An Institutional Partner

With us along the whole journey is Franklin University Switzerland, a small, international university located in the southern Swiss city of Lugano. Founded in 1969, Franklin was among the first institutions to bring American Liberal Arts education to Europe. It is the only liberal arts university in the world accredited both in the United States and Switzerland.

The Taylor Institute at the University runs executive, research and graduate programs related to business and management, with the aim to train critical thinkers who are culturally literate, ethically aware, intellectually courageous and business savvy. A perfect fit with Design Dissolve’s approach, and we are proud to be a partner.

Start small,
start anywhere

We know what’s it’s like to start small, and also know the importance of actually getting started. This image shows the first sketch of our program, doodled on a small post-it.

Instead of starting with the entire program, we started with just one Module, to allow iteration and improvement over time. You can do the same.

Start either with the Systems Thinking Modules, or the Beyond Design Thinking Modules, or the module on Disciplined Imagination. If you like the experience, you can progress one step at a time, or even go all in.

What next?

Start with 'Systems Thinking for Service Designers'

You may come from business, marketing, graphic design, service design, psychology, public sector, or any other area. If your goal is doing your utmost to bring great services to people, you will feel right at home.

This is an advanced service design course. Participants should have at least a basic understanding of processes and tools of service design, and not be afraid to question them.

Systems Thinking for Service Designers is currently running with 2 cohorts, and accepting applications for cohort #3 starting March 10th, and for future cohorts.

Get in touch for other Courses

Interested in the Program, but want to start somewhere other than Systems Thinking? Great! We build our programs to match demand. So the sooner you let us know which one intrigues you, the sooner we can launch the next course.

Just send us an email, and let us know your preference or questions.

the team

The Professor

Dr. Arash Golnam

University Lecturer and Systems Scientist

Arash completed his Ph.D. in Management of Technology (Systems Modeling) at the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology (EPFL) and holds a Master of Science in System Dynamics from Worcester Polytechnic Institute (WPI).

His experience includes working as a system dynamicist on large scale simulation platforms of socio-technical systems. Currently, he works part-time as a scientist at EPFL, researching the application of systems theory and principles in designing services.

Arash teaches systems thinking and system dynamics at universities in Geneva and Lausanne area, where he has been awarded as the distinguished member of the faculty several times

The Facilitator

Peter Horvath

UX and Service Designer

An economist by training, with an executive MBA in management of innovation, Geneva-based Peter Horvath is a connecter of dots.

With work experience in agency, startup, corporate, consulting and educational environments, he has worked in project and product management, strategy, UX and service design, in Switzerland, Hungary and Canada.

Peter is an active driver of the community through local events, Service Design Network’s Swiss chapter, and as co-initiator of ‘24 Hours of UX’. He also teaches design related classes at Swiss Universities.

Institutional Partner

The Taylor Institute - at Franklin University Switzerland

The Taylor Institute at Franklin University Switzerland develops and manages Executive, Research and Graduate programs related to business and management. The aim of the Institute is to train critical thinkers who are culturally literate, ethically aware, intellectually courageous and business savvy.

Franklin University Switzerland is a small, international university located in the southern Swiss city of Lugano. Founded in 1969, Franklin was among the first institutions to bring American Liberal Arts education to Europe, and it is the only liberal arts university in the world accredited in both the United States and Switzerland. It is the only university in the world that offers interdisciplinary, experiential learning, placing Academic Travel at the core of its curriculum.

Intrigued, but undecided?
Sign up for our next webinar!

Sign up to our next free webinar on March 3rd:

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[From the 4 ways of treating a problem], Dissolving the Problem is the best way to create lasting change. We can only dissolve a problem through design. More specifically, by redesigning the system that has it, so that the problem no longer exist.

Dr. Russel Ackoff

Transformative& Systemic DesignCertificate Program