This paper presents an approach for exploring innovative system ideas using the Systems Modeling Language (SysML) and combining technology-oriented perspectives with risk- and user-oriented perspectives. It was developed to introduce senior aeronautical engineering students to methods commonly used in software-centric system design projects. The approach is also applicable for familiarizing professional aeronautical engineers with the SysML. Its objective is to foster awareness on risks caused by misuses and unintended interaction of a system with its environment and to support a user-centric perspective in system design. The approach uses abstract, discipline-independent graphical models and explanatory tables for documenting and communicating initial considerations and decisions, considering all phases of the entire life-cycle of a planned system. The approach is well-suited for use in early stages of multi-disciplinary development projects for innovative systems.