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Manuel López Martín de Blas

This short course provides a comprehensive introduction to design thinking, a human-centered approach to problem-solving widely used for driving innovation. In the course, learners will discover the steps of the design thinking framework, understand how these steps are carried out by organizations and teams, and discover unique applications of design thinking so they, too, can apply these principles in their own professional contexts.

The content is structured into three lessons, guiding learners through both theoretical and practical aspects of design thinking.

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This short course provides a comprehensive introduction to design thinking, a human-centered approach to problem-solving widely used for driving innovation. In the course, learners will discover the steps of the design thinking framework, understand how these steps are carried out by organizations and teams, and discover unique applications of design thinking so they, too, can apply these principles in their own professional contexts.

The content is structured into three lessons, guiding learners through both theoretical and practical aspects of design thinking.

The course is aimed at learners who do not yet have knowledge in design thinking methodology, those looking to further their capabilities in business essentials skills, and those looking to discover ways of generating innovation within their teams.

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What's inside

Syllabus

Traffic lights

Read about what's good
what should give you pause
and possible dealbreakers
Introduces learners to key topics in design thinking, including foundational concepts and latest industry trends
Provides practical applications and case studies relevant to real-world scenarios
Suitable for beginners with no prior design thinking knowledge
Taught by experienced instructors Manuel López Martín de Blas
May not cover advanced techniques or domain-specific applications of design thinking

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Reviews summary

Design thinking for professional application

According to learners who would find this course valuable, it is anticipated to provide a comprehensive introduction to design thinking, covering its core five-step framework. Students expect to gain practical tools and strategies for driving innovation within professional contexts, making it suitable for those seeking to enhance their business essential skills. The course is likely to offer a well-structured learning experience, balancing theoretical concepts with practical applications, and is particularly beneficial for beginners in design thinking.
Offers a clear structure with theoretical and practical elements.
"I appreciate the structure of three lessons that balances theory and practical aspects."
"The course seems well-organized, guiding me through concepts and then how to apply them."
"I'm looking for a course that isn't just theory, and this one appears to balance it well."
Ideal for those new to design thinking concepts.
"Coming into this without prior knowledge, I'm confident I could easily follow along and learn the basics."
"I anticipate this course is perfect for anyone just starting their journey into design thinking."
"It's great that it's aimed at learners like me who don't have existing methodology knowledge."
Focuses on applying principles in professional contexts.
"I expect to gain concrete ways to apply design thinking principles to drive innovation in my team."
"This course seems designed to equip me with skills directly relevant to my business professional context."
"I would find the focus on how organizations use these steps highly valuable for my career."
Provides fundamental understanding of design thinking.
"I found this course provides a really comprehensive introduction to the design thinking methodology."
"As a beginner, I expect to grasp the five essential steps of design thinking with clarity."
"I anticipate learning the core fundamentals needed to understand human-centered problem-solving."
A 'short course' may not delve into advanced topics.
"While comprehensive for an introduction, I suspect it might not delve into highly advanced or niche design thinking areas."
"As a 'short course,' I anticipate it focuses on breadth rather than deep, specialized topics."
"I might need additional resources if I'm looking for mastery beyond the foundational principles."

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in From Ideas to Impact: Design Thinking for User-Centricity with these activities:
Review basic design principles, such as color theory and typography
This will help you refresh your knowledge of the fundamental principles of design and ensure you have a strong foundation for the course.
Browse courses on Design Principles
Show steps
  • Read articles or watch videos about basic design principles.
  • Take a quiz or practice exercise on color theory.
  • Experiment with different fonts and typography styles.
Read "Design Thinking for Innovation" by Thomas Lockwood
This book provides a comprehensive overview of design thinking and its applications in the field of innovation.
Show steps
  • Read the book and take notes on the key concepts.
  • Identify examples of design thinking in your own work or in the world around you.
  • Discuss the book with a colleague or friend.
Attend a design thinking workshop
This will give you an opportunity to practice the design thinking process in a structured environment and receive feedback from experts.
Show steps
  • Research different design thinking workshops in your area.
  • Choose a workshop that aligns with your interests and goals.
  • Attend the workshop and actively participate in the exercises and discussions.
Four other activities
Expand to see all activities and additional details
Show all seven activities
Apply design thinking to a real-world problem
This will help you develop your problem-solving skills and apply the design thinking process to a practical situation.
Show steps
  • Identify a problem that you want to solve.
  • Apply the design thinking process to the problem.
  • Develop a solution and test it out.
Create a presentation or infographic on design thinking
This will help you synthesize your understanding of design thinking and communicate it to others.
Show steps
  • Choose a topic for your presentation or infographic.
  • Research and gather information on the topic.
  • Create a visually appealing presentation or infographic.
  • Present your work to others.
Start a design thinking project with a team
This will give you an opportunity to work on a real-world project and apply your design thinking skills in a collaborative setting.
Show steps
  • Find a team of people who are interested in working on a design thinking project.
  • Identify a problem that you want to solve together.
  • Apply the design thinking process to the problem.
  • Develop a solution and test it out.
Mentor a junior designer or student
This will help you solidify your understanding of design thinking by teaching it to others.
Show steps
  • Find a junior designer or student who is interested in learning about design thinking.
  • Share your knowledge and experience with them.
  • Provide feedback on their work.

Career center

Learners who complete From Ideas to Impact: Design Thinking for User-Centricity will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Reading list

We've selected 50 books that we think will supplement your learning. Use these to develop background knowledge, enrich your coursework, and gain a deeper understanding of the topics covered in From Ideas to Impact: Design Thinking for User-Centricity.
Provides a foundational understanding of Design Thinking from the CEO of IDEO, a leading design firm. It explains the principles and process of Design Thinking and how it can be applied to drive innovation in various organizations and aspects of life. It's an excellent starting point for gaining a broad understanding of the topic. An updated edition was published in 2019.
Developed by ex-McKinsey partners, this book presents a structured, seven-step approach to problem-solving used in top consulting firms. It emphasizes a highly visual, logic-tree method applicable to business and global challenges. is particularly relevant for undergraduate and graduate students interested in consulting or business, as well as working professionals seeking a robust framework for tackling complex issues. It valuable reference tool.
Delves into how top strategy consultants approach and solve complex business problems. It provides a four-step process informed by consulting and cognitive psychology, highlighting how to avoid common biases that lead to poor decisions. This is an excellent resource for graduate students and working professionals, especially those in business, management, or consulting, offering practical insights and techniques used in the industry.
Is written by three leading experts in the field of software testing and serves as an ideal introduction to the core principles and practices of software testing.
This foundational book explores the two systems of thought that drive our decisions: the fast, intuitive system and the slower, more deliberate system. Understanding these systems is crucial for recognizing cognitive biases that can impede effective problem-solving. It provides a strong theoretical background for anyone looking to improve their decision-making and analytical skills, making it valuable for undergraduate and graduate students, as well as professionals. While not a how-to guide, it offers deep insights into the human mind's approach to problems.
Is written by a leading expert in the field and serves as a comprehensive guide to software testing practices.
Provides a clear and concise introduction to systems thinking, explaining how to perceive and understand the interconnectedness of elements within a system. This perspective is vital for identifying root causes of problems and developing effective, long-term solutions. It is valuable for advanced undergraduates, graduate students, and professionals across various fields who need to analyze and address complex issues with multiple interacting factors.
A classic in the field of mathematical problem-solving, Pólya's book outlines a four-step method: understanding the problem, devising a plan, carrying out the plan, and looking back. While focused on mathematics, its principles are widely applicable to problem-solving in any domain. is highly recommended for high school students and undergraduates, particularly those in STEM fields, and provides a solid framework for approaching unfamiliar problems.
Argues for the importance of Design Thinking in business strategy and achieving a competitive advantage. It's particularly relevant for those in business programs or working professionals looking to understand the strategic implications of Design Thinking.
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Following up on 'Thinking, Fast and Slow,' this book examines the impact of 'noise' – unwanted variability in judgments – on decision-making in various fields. It provides insights into identifying and reducing noise to improve the quality of decisions and problem resolution. This contemporary and relevant book for graduate students and professionals, particularly those involved in complex decision-making processes or system design.
Written by the founders of IDEO, this book focuses on unlocking creativity, a crucial element of Design Thinking. It provides insights and exercises to help individuals and teams build confidence in their creative abilities and apply them to problem-solving.
Provides a four-step process to overcome common decision-making biases and make better choices. It offers practical strategies and real-world examples to help individuals navigate difficult decisions. This highly applicable book for students and professionals at all levels, providing a clear and actionable framework for improving decision quality in both personal and professional contexts.
Provides practical guidance on how to design for real-world constraints, such as budget, time, and technology. It great resource for designers who want to create products and services that are both useful and feasible.
Originally written for Japanese schoolchildren, this book offers a simple and accessible introduction to problem-solving frameworks. It emphasizes practical thinking and provides straightforward techniques applicable to various situations through real-life examples. is excellent for high school students and undergraduates seeking a foundational understanding of structured problem-solving approaches. It serves as a great starting point before delving into more complex methodologies.
Introduces Design Thinking as a human-centered approach to creative problem-solving. It provides a framework and tools for understanding user needs, brainstorming ideas, prototyping, and testing solutions. This is particularly useful for students and professionals in design, business, and innovation fields, offering a practical methodology for tackling ill-defined problems and generating innovative solutions.
Offers an inside look at the problem-solving methodologies and tools used by McKinsey & Company, a leading management consulting firm. It provides practical insights into structuring thinking, conducting analysis, and presenting findings. This is particularly valuable for students and professionals interested in consulting or adopting a structured, analytical approach to business problems.
A comprehensive textbook focusing on mathematical problem-solving, this book introduces a wide range of strategies and techniques beyond standard algorithms. It encourages creative thinking and perseverance in tackling challenging problems. This is an excellent resource for high school students and undergraduates participating in math competitions or seeking to develop advanced mathematical problem-solving skills.
Provides a comprehensive overview of information architecture, the art and science of organizing and structuring information. It covers topics such as user research, content strategy, and navigation design.
Explores the role of emotion in design. It shows how emotions can influence our interactions with products and services, and provides guidance on how to design for emotional impact.
Explores the relationship between humans and technology. It provides insights into how human-centered design can be used to create products and services that are both useful and enjoyable to use.
Provides a practical and hands-on approach to software testing, covering a wide range of topics, including test planning, test design, test execution, and test reporting.
Explores how Design Thinking can be applied to address complex social problems and drive innovation in the social sector. It provides case studies and practical insights for those interested in using Design Thinking for social impact.
Drawing on her experience as a professional poker player, Annie Duke provides a framework for making better decisions in situations with incomplete information and uncertainty. is highly relevant for understanding probabilistic thinking and managing risk in problem-solving. It's a valuable read for students and professionals who frequently face decisions with uncertain outcomes.
From the Stanford d.school, this book offers a collection of exercises and activities rooted in design thinking to help individuals develop their creative problem-solving abilities. It's a hands-on guide for fostering innovation and tackling challenges in unconventional ways. is great for students and professionals who want to actively practice creative approaches to problem-solving and inject more innovation into their work.
This playbook offers a comprehensive guide to applying Design Thinking for digital transformation. It's a relevant resource for understanding how Design Thinking intersects with contemporary digital challenges.
Presents a structured approach to making better decisions, outlining a clear framework with practical tools and techniques. It helps readers identify their values, set objectives, and evaluate alternatives systematically. This highly practical guide for students and professionals at all levels looking to improve their decision-making skills, which are intrinsically linked to problem-solving.
Offers a holistic approach to problem-solving, focusing on both the necessary mindset and practical tools. It encourages creativity, adaptability, and continuous improvement. With real-world examples and techniques, it's a useful guide for students and professionals looking to develop a well-rounded problem-solving skill set.
Explores how experienced professionals make decisions in complex, time-pressured situations, focusing on the power of intuition and recognition-primed decision making. It challenges traditional rational decision-making models and offers insights into expert problem-solving. This valuable read for graduate students and professionals in high-stakes environments, providing a deeper understanding of how expertise influences problem resolution.
Companion to 'The Design Thinking Playbook,' this toolbox provides a detailed guide to various Design Thinking methods and tools. It serves as a practical reference for practitioners looking to deepen their understanding and application of specific techniques.
Identifies the five key skills that disruptive innovators possess. It provides practical advice on how to develop these skills and how to use them to create innovative products and services.
This fascinating book tells the story of the Xerox PARC, one of the most innovative research labs in history. Gertner explores the creative process and the factors that contributed to PARC's success. His insights are invaluable for anyone who wants to learn more about the art of innovation.
A comprehensive guide to rapid prototyping techniques, materials, and applications.
This collection of articles from Harvard Business Review offers various perspectives on Design Thinking and its application in business. It's a good resource for gaining a broader understanding of how Design Thinking is viewed and utilized in the business world.
Provides a practical guide to getting customers for your startup. It covers a variety of topics, including marketing, sales, and customer service.
Ray Dalio, the founder of Bridgewater Associates, outlines the principles he developed and used to achieve success in life and work, including his approach to decision-making and problem-solving. offers a unique perspective on tackling challenges based on radical truth and transparency. It thought-provoking read for advanced undergraduate students, graduate students, and professionals interested in a principle-driven approach to problem-solving and leadership.
Although targeted at legal and policy professionals, this book offers a systematic guide to creative problem-solving and effective judgment rooted in insights from statistics, decision science, and psychology. It's a valuable resource for graduate students and professionals in fields requiring rigorous analysis, judgment, and decision-making in complex social contexts.
Provides a comprehensive guide to testing in agile environments, covering the principles, practices, and tools used in agile testing environments.

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