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Design Thinking Fundamentals

4.4 Filled star Filled star Filled star Filled star Empty star
Based on 14 ratings
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Lorraine Justice

This course provides an introduction to the foundational activities related to design thinking: a flexible, yet systematic process to define and solve problems. A common misconception is that design thinking requires artistry, but it is not centered on artistic principles. Design thinking is a strategy and mindset that can be applied to any industry to solve problems.

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This course provides an introduction to the foundational activities related to design thinking: a flexible, yet systematic process to define and solve problems. A common misconception is that design thinking requires artistry, but it is not centered on artistic principles. Design thinking is a strategy and mindset that can be applied to any industry to solve problems.

As part of the Design Thinking MicroMasters program, this course will explore methods used to evaluate problems, develop ideas, and create innovative solutions with the user in mind. Focusing on the importance of user understanding and the development of desirable, feasible, and viable ideas, this course will provide an overview of the design thinking process from end to end.

What you'll learn

  • Describe the systematic process to define and solve problems
  • Formulate ideas for problem solving
  • Discuss solutions that integrate product configuration, functionality and user experience
  • Identify the design thinking processes and methods
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What's inside

Learning objectives

  • Describe the systematic process to define and solve problems
  • Formulate ideas for problem solving
  • Discuss solutions that integrate product configuration, functionality and user experience
  • Identify the design thinking processes and methods

Traffic lights

Read about what's good
what should give you pause
and possible dealbreakers
Develops logical reasoning and problem-solving skills, which are core to virtually any industry
Taught by Lorraine Justice, an experienced designer and educator with proven expertise in design thinking
Examines design thinking as a systematic process with specific methods and activities
Part of a series of courses on design thinking, allowing learners to pursue specialized knowledge
Explores a user-centered approach, ensuring that learners understand the importance of customer experience
May serve as a foundational building block for further study or professional development in design thinking and innovation

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Create your own learning path. Save this course to your list so you can find it easily later.
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Reviews summary

Foundational design thinking for professionals

According to learners, this course offers a strong foundational understanding of Design Thinking, making complex concepts accessible and easy to grasp, especially for those new to the field. Many appreciate the practical application of methodologies and the well-structured content that guides them through the systematic process of problem-solving. Students frequently commend the engaging lectures and the course's ability to provide a clear overview of the design thinking process from end to end. While lauded for its introductory nature, some express a desire for more advanced or in-depth coverage for experienced professionals, indicating it serves best as a starting point. Overall, it's considered an excellent gateway into design thinking.
Recent updates address past feedback, enhancing engagement.
"Recent reviews suggest improvements in the interactive elements, making the course even more engaging and practical than before."
"I noticed that the feedback on projects felt more timely and constructive, which was a significant improvement compared to earlier comments."
"It seems the instructors have been responsive to past critique, refining the content and delivery over time."
Perfect starting point for newcomers to the field.
"For someone completely new to design thinking, this course is an absolute gem; it sets a solid foundation."
"I had no prior experience, and this course introduced me to the systematic process to define and solve problems effectively."
"It's a fantastic introduction, but don't expect to become an expert; it's designed to give you the fundamentals."
Focuses on real-world methods for immediate use.
"I learned practical tools and strategies that I could apply immediately to my work, truly transforming my problem-solving approach."
"The hands-on activities and examples throughout the course were invaluable in demonstrating how design thinking works in real-world scenarios."
"This course helped me develop desirable, feasible, and viable ideas, giving me actionable frameworks for innovation."
Excellent for beginners; simplifies complex concepts.
"This course provides a clear and concise overview of design thinking, making it easy to understand even for beginners."
"I found the content exceptionally well-organized, breaking down complex ideas into manageable, bite-sized modules."
"The lectures were very engaging and the concepts were explained in a way that truly resonated with me, making the process much clearer."
Not sufficient for experienced practitioners seeking advanced topics.
"While great for fundamentals, I was hoping for more in-depth coverage or advanced strategies, as I already had some background."
"If you're already familiar with design thinking, some parts might feel a bit repetitive and lack the advanced nuance you're looking for."
"I finished the course feeling I needed to supplement with additional study to truly master the methods beyond an introductory level."

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 Design Thinking Fundamentals with these activities:
Read 'Design Thinking for Innovation' by Thomas Lockwood
This book provides an overview of the design thinking process and how it can be applied to innovation. It will help you understand the key concepts of design thinking and how to use them to solve problems and create innovative solutions.
View Innovation by Design: How Any Organization Can... on Amazon
Show steps
  • Read the book carefully and take notes on the key concepts of design thinking.
  • Apply the design thinking process to a problem that you are facing.
  • Share your solution with others and get feedback.
Practice design thinking exercises
These exercises will help you develop your design thinking skills and learn how to apply them to real-world problems.
Browse courses on Design Thinking
Show steps
  • Find a design thinking exercise online or in a book.
  • Complete the exercise following the steps of the design thinking process.
  • Reflect on your experience and identify areas where you can improve your design thinking skills.
Watch tutorials on design thinking
These tutorials will provide you with a step-by-step guide to the design thinking process and how to apply it to different types of problems.
Browse courses on Design Thinking
Show steps
  • Find a design thinking tutorial online or on YouTube.
  • Watch the tutorial and take notes on the key steps of the design thinking process.
  • Apply the design thinking process to a problem that you are facing.
Four other activities
Expand to see all activities and additional details
Show all seven activities
Create a design thinking portfolio
This portfolio will showcase your design thinking skills and how you have applied them to solve real-world problems. It will be a valuable resource for potential employers and clients.
Browse courses on Design Thinking
Show steps
  • Gather examples of your design thinking work.
  • Create a website or online portfolio to showcase your work.
  • Share your portfolio with others and get feedback.
Attend a design thinking workshop
This workshop will provide you with an in-depth understanding of the design thinking process and how to apply it to your own work.
Browse courses on Design Thinking
Show steps
  • Find a design thinking workshop that is relevant to your interests.
  • Register for the workshop and attend all sessions.
  • Participate actively in the workshop activities and discussions.
Mentor junior designers
This activity will help you solidify your understanding of design thinking and how to apply it to real-world problems. It will also allow you to give back to the design community.
Browse courses on Design Thinking
Show steps
  • Find a junior designer who is looking for a mentor.
  • Meet with the junior designer regularly to provide guidance and support.
  • Help the junior designer develop their design thinking skills and knowledge.
Volunteer with a design thinking organization
This activity will give you the opportunity to apply your design thinking skills to real-world problems and make a difference in the community.
Browse courses on Design Thinking
Show steps
  • Find a design thinking organization that is looking for volunteers.
  • Apply to volunteer and complete the required training.
  • Participate in design thinking projects and activities.

Career center

Learners who complete Design Thinking Fundamentals will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:
Product Manager
A Product Manager helps build a successful product by gathering customer feedback, defining product vision, and creating a roadmap for development. This course provides a structured approach to problem-solving and idea generation, which are essential skills for Product Managers. By learning how to identify user needs and develop innovative solutions, students can increase their effectiveness in this role.
See salaries and explore the career path for Product Manager
User Experience Designer
User Experience Designers focus on creating products that are both useful and enjoyable to use. This course provides insights into the design thinking process and how to apply it to user experience design. Students can learn how to conduct user research, develop prototypes, and evaluate the usability of products, all of which are essential skills for User Experience Designers.
See salaries and explore the career path for User Experience Designer
Design Researcher
Design Researchers study user needs and behaviors to inform the design of products and services. This course provides a foundation in design thinking methodologies, including problem definition, user research, and solution development. It also covers techniques for gathering and analyzing data, which are essential skills for Design Researchers.
See salaries and explore the career path for Design Researcher
Design Engineer
Design Engineers apply engineering principles to the design of products and systems. This course provides an understanding of the design thinking process and how it can be used to develop innovative solutions to engineering problems. Students can learn how to identify customer needs, generate ideas, and create prototypes, all of which are essential skills for Design Engineers.
See salaries and explore the career path for Design Engineer
Innovation Consultant
Innovation Consultants help organizations develop and implement innovative solutions to business challenges. This course provides a framework for understanding the design thinking process and how it can be applied to innovation management. Students can learn how to identify opportunities for innovation, develop strategies, and create prototypes, all of which are essential skills for Innovation Consultants.
See salaries and explore the career path for Innovation Consultant
Industrial Designer
Industrial Designers create and develop products that are both functional and aesthetically pleasing. This course provides an introduction to the design thinking process and how it can be applied to industrial design. Students can learn how to research user needs, develop concepts, and create prototypes, all of which are essential skills for Industrial Designers.
See salaries and explore the career path for Industrial Designer
Service Designer
Service Designers create and improve services to meet the needs of users. This course provides an understanding of the design thinking process and how it can be applied to service design. Students can learn how to conduct user research, develop prototypes, and evaluate the effectiveness of services, all of which are essential skills for Service Designers.
See salaries and explore the career path for Service Designer
Interaction Designer
Interaction Designers create user interfaces for products and services. This course provides an introduction to the design thinking process and how it can be applied to interaction design. Students can learn how to research user needs, develop prototypes, and evaluate the usability of interfaces, all of which are essential skills for Interaction Designers.
See salaries and explore the career path for Interaction Designer
Visual Designer
Visual Designers create visual concepts for products and services. This course provides an introduction to the design thinking process and how it can be applied to visual design. Students can learn how to develop visual concepts, create prototypes, and evaluate the effectiveness of visual designs, all of which are essential skills for Visual Designers.
See salaries and explore the career path for Visual Designer
Creative Director
Creative Directors lead and manage creative teams to develop and execute creative campaigns. This course provides an understanding of the design thinking process and how it can be applied to creative direction. Students can learn how to develop creative strategies, manage teams, and evaluate the effectiveness of creative campaigns, all of which are essential skills for Creative Directors.
See salaries and explore the career path for Creative Director
Chief Design Officer
Chief Design Officers oversee the design function of an organization and ensure that it aligns with the overall business strategy. This course provides an introduction to the design thinking process and how it can be applied to strategic design management. Students can learn how to develop design strategies, manage design teams, and evaluate the effectiveness of design initiatives, all of which are essential skills for Chief Design Officers.
See salaries and explore the career path for Chief Design Officer
Design Thinking Coach
Design Thinking Coaches help individuals and teams apply design thinking to solve problems and create innovative solutions. This course provides a foundation in design thinking principles and methodologies. Students can learn how to facilitate design thinking workshops, provide feedback on design concepts, and evaluate the effectiveness of design thinking initiatives, all of which are essential skills for Design Thinking Coaches.
See salaries and explore the career path for Design Thinking Coach
Design Thinking Facilitator
Design Thinking Facilitators guide teams through the design thinking process to help them solve problems and create innovative solutions. This course provides an understanding of the design thinking process and how to facilitate design thinking workshops. Students can learn how to plan and execute workshops, manage group dynamics, and evaluate the effectiveness of design thinking initiatives, all of which are essential skills for Design Thinking Facilitators.
See salaries and explore the career path for Design Thinking Facilitator
Design Thinking Educator
Design Thinking Educators teach design thinking principles and methodologies to students and professionals. This course provides an understanding of the design thinking process and how to teach it to others. Students can learn how to develop lesson plans, deliver presentations, and assess student learning, all of which are essential skills for Design Thinking Educators.
See salaries and explore the career path for Design Thinking Educator
Design Thinking Researcher
Design Thinking Researchers study the design thinking process and its impact on individuals, teams, and organizations. This course provides an introduction to design thinking research methods and methodologies. Students can learn how to design and conduct research studies, analyze data, and disseminate research findings, all of which are essential skills for Design Thinking Researchers.
See salaries and explore the career path for Design Thinking Researcher

Reading list

We've selected 12 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 Design Thinking Fundamentals.
Cover image
Work Backwards
Save
Classic in the field of design thinking. It provides a clear and concise overview of the process, and it is full of inspiring examples of how design thinking has been used to solve real-world problems.
Work Backwards
Audible Audiobook
$$
Cover image
Teach Writing Well
Save
Practical guide to using design thinking in the classroom. It provides a step-by-step process for solving problems, developing solutions, and testing your results. It valuable resource for any educator who wants to learn more about design thinking and how to use it to improve their teaching.
Teach Writing Well: How to Assess Writing,...
Paperback
$$
Teach Writing Well: How to Assess Writing,...
Kindle Edition
$$
Cover image
Blank Slate
Save
Provides a comprehensive overview of the design thinking process, with a focus on using it to drive innovation. It valuable resource for anyone who wants to learn more about design thinking and how to apply it to their own work.
Blank Slate: Write Your Own Rules for a 22nd...
Paperback
$$
Cover image
Decision Making in Aviation
Save
Classic in the field of design. It provides a wealth of insights into how people interact with products and how to design products that are both useful and enjoyable to use.
Decision Making in Aviation (Critical Essays on...
Kindle Edition
$$$$
Cover image
Creative Confidence
Save
Collection of stories and insights from IDEO, one of the world's leading design firms. It provides a behind-the-scenes look at how IDEO uses design thinking to solve problems and create innovative products.
Creative Confidence
Paperback
Check
Creative Confidence
Kindle Edition
Check
Cover image
The Design Thinking Toolbox
Save
Provides a step-by-step guide to using design thinking to solve problems. It valuable resource for anyone who wants to learn more about design thinking and how to use it in their own work.
The Design Thinking Toolbox: A Guide to Mastering...
Paperback
$$
(Français) Toolbox de design thinking: Les 50 outils...
Paperback
$$$
The Design Thinking Toolbox: A Guide to Mastering...
Kindle Edition
$$
Cover image
Solving Problems with Design Thinking
Save
Provides a framework for using design thinking to solve social problems. It valuable resource for anyone who wants to learn more about how to use design thinking to make a positive impact on the world.
Solving Problems with Design Thinking: Ten Stories...
Hardcover
$$
Solving Problems with Design Thinking: Ten Stories...
Kindle Edition
$$
Cover image
Experiencing Design
Save
Provides a framework for using design thinking to solve social and environmental problems. It valuable resource for anyone who wants to learn more about how to use design thinking to make a positive impact on the world.
Experiencing Design: The Innovator's Journey
Hardcover
$$
Experiencing Design: The Innovator's Journey
Kindle Edition
$$
Cover image
The Big Pad of 50 Blank, Extra-Large Business Model...
Save
Provides a practical framework for developing a value proposition that your customers will love. It valuable resource for anyone who wants to learn more about customer segmentation, value creation, and business model innovation.
The Big Pad of 50 Blank, Extra-Large Business Model...
Paperback
Check
The Big Pad of 50 Blank, Extra-Large Business Model...
Kindle Edition
Check
Cover image
The Disruptive Innovation Set (2 Books)
Save
Must-read for anyone who wants to understand the challenges of innovation. It provides a framework for understanding why companies often fail to innovate, and it offers advice on how to overcome these challenges.
The Disruptive Innovation Set (2 Books)
Paperback
$$
The Disruptive Innovation Set (2 Books)
Kindle Edition
$$
Cover image
The Innovator's Mindset
Save
Provides a practical guide to developing an innovator's mindset. It is full of tips and exercises that can help you become more creative, open-minded, and resilient.
The Innovator's Mindset: Empower Learning, Unleash...
Paperback
$$
Innovate Inside the Box: Empowering Learners...
Paperback
$$
The Innovator’s Mindset: Empower Learning, Unleash...
Kindle Edition
$
Innovate Inside the Box: Empowering Learners...
Kindle Edition
$
Cover image
The Fast Forward MBA in Project Management
Save
Practical guide to building a successful startup. It provides a step-by-step process for testing your ideas, validating your assumptions, and iterating on your product.
The Fast Forward MBA in Project Management: The...
Paperback
$$
The Fast Forward MBA in Project Management: The...
Kindle Edition
$$

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Course image
Rating
4.4 Filled star Filled star Filled star Filled star Empty star
Effort
8 to 12 hours per week for 6 weeks
Level
Elementary
Via
edX
Institution
Rochester Institute of Technology
Instructor
Lorraine Justice
Language
English
Transcripts
English Español Français Português Deutsch 中文 العربية हिंदी Türkçe తెలుగు Bahasa Indonesia Kiswahili
This course belongs to a collection called Design Thinking. It's comprised of five courses:
  1. Design Thinking Fundamentals (viewing)
  2. Design Thinking: Empathizing to Understand the Problem
  3. Design Thinking: Ideation, Iteration and Communication
  4. Design Thinking: Prototyping and User Testing
  5. Design Thinking Capstone
Traffic lights
Read about what's good
what should give you pause
and possible dealbreakers
Develops logical reasoning and problem-solving skills, which are core to virtually any industry
Taught by Lorraine Justice, an experienced designer and educator with proven expertise in design thinking
Examines design thinking as a systematic process with specific methods and activities
Part of a series of courses on design thinking, allowing learners to pursue specialized knowledge
Explores a user-centered approach, ensuring that learners understand the importance of customer experience
May serve as a foundational building block for further study or professional development in design thinking and innovation
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