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Julie Napieralski

Designing a successful and innovative solution requires creative ideas and their iteration. As critical phases of the design thinking process, ideation and iteration are often what distinguish design thinking from traditional or linear problem-solving approaches. This course, part of the Design Thinking MicroMasters program, will explain and provide context and instruction on essential ideation techniques such as:

  • Brainstorming
  • Mind mapping
  • Role playing
  • Storyboarding
  • Concept sketching
  • Model making
  • Strategic idea mapping
Read more

Designing a successful and innovative solution requires creative ideas and their iteration. As critical phases of the design thinking process, ideation and iteration are often what distinguish design thinking from traditional or linear problem-solving approaches. This course, part of the Design Thinking MicroMasters program, will explain and provide context and instruction on essential ideation techniques such as:

  • Brainstorming
  • Mind mapping
  • Role playing
  • Storyboarding
  • Concept sketching
  • Model making
  • Strategic idea mapping

After ideation, the solution(s) that best address the original problem are chosen to present. This course will discuss best practices for selecting solutions and common pitfalls to avoid when communicating solutions to a client.

What you'll learn

  • Discuss visualization techniques
  • Ideation techniques to help arrive at the best solution
  • How to select an appropriate visualization technique to present a solution
  • Best practices for communicating ideas effectively using graphic techniques

What's inside

Learning objectives

  • Discuss visualization techniques
  • Ideation techniques to help arrive at the best solution
  • How to select an appropriate visualization technique to present a solution
  • Best practices for communicating ideas effectively using graphic techniques

Good to know

Know what's good
, what to watch for
, and possible dealbreakers
Serves as a primer for learning more advanced design topics
Focuses on the techniques of design ideation and iteration
Taught by experienced faculty in design thinking
Develops in-demand skills that are applicable to a number of fields
May be best suited for learners new to the concept of design thinking
Prior knowledge of design fundamentals may be beneficial

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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: Ideation, Iteration and Communication with these activities:
Review of Design Thinking Phases
Review the design thinking phases to recall the underlying structure and approach to problem-solving and ideation.
Show steps
  • Re-read the course materials on the design thinking phases.
  • Create a summary diagram of the design thinking phases.
  • Explain each phase to a peer or mentor.
Mind map collection
Mind maps can help you visualize and organize your ideas for a better understanding of the ideation process.
Browse courses on Ideation Techniques
Show steps
  • Choose a topic related to ideation techniques.
  • Create a main bubble in the center of a blank page and write down your topic.
  • Draw branches off of the main bubble and write down ideas related to your topic.
Concept sketching
Practice your concept sketching skills with a wide variety of everyday objects.
Show steps
  • Gather a variety of objects from around your home or office.
  • Choose an object and observe its form, texture, and details.
  • Use a pen or pencil to sketch the object, capturing its essential features.
Four other activities
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Show all seven activities
Role-playing exercises
Role-playing can enhance your ability to understand and communicate with users, leading to more effective and innovative solutions.
Browse courses on Communication Techniques
Show steps
  • Identify a problem or scenario that requires empathy.
  • Assign roles to participants, ensuring diversity in perspectives.
  • Guide participants through a role-playing exercise, encouraging them to embody their assigned roles.
Develop a visual presentation of your solution
Creating a visual presentation will help you organize and communicate your solution effectively, enhancing your ability to convey ideas and persuade others.
Browse courses on Communication Skills
Show steps
  • Organize your solution into a clear and logical structure.
  • Select appropriate visual aids to support your presentation.
  • Practice presenting your solution to receive feedback and improve your delivery.
Design a solution to a real-world problem
Applying the design thinking process to a real-world problem will solidify your understanding and enhance your practical skills.
Show steps
  • Identify a problem or challenge that you are passionate about.
  • Conduct research to understand the problem and its context.
  • Generate creative solutions using design thinking techniques.
Write and publish a blog post on ideation techniques
Writing about ideation techniques will help you deepen your understanding and share your knowledge with others.
Browse courses on Content Creation
Show steps
  • Choose a specific aspect of ideation techniques to focus on.
  • Research and gather information from credible sources.
  • Write a well-organized and engaging blog post, using clear and concise language.
  • Publish your blog post on a relevant platform.

Career center

Learners who complete Design Thinking: Ideation, Iteration and Communication will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:
Industrial Designer
Industrial Designers research, design, and develop concepts and products. This course helps Industrial Designers understand how to visualize and iterate on solutions, which is essential for creating innovative products. The ideation techniques taught in this course can help Industrial Designers generate a wide range of creative ideas, while the iteration techniques can help them refine and improve their designs.
Product Designer
Product Designers create and develop new products, from concept to production. This course would be helpful for Product Designers, as it can help them learn how to generate and iterate on creative ideas. The ideation techniques taught in this course can help Product Designers come up with new and innovative product concepts, while the iteration techniques can help them refine and improve their designs.
User Experience Designer
User Experience Designers create and evaluate user interfaces for websites, apps, and other products. This course may be useful for User Experience Designers, as it can help them learn how to visualize and iterate on solutions. The ideation techniques taught in this course can help User Experience Designers generate a wide range of creative ideas for user interfaces, while the iteration techniques can help them refine and improve their designs.
Interaction Designer
Interaction Designers design and develop the interactions between users and products. This course may be useful for Interaction Designers, as it can help them learn how to visualize and iterate on solutions. The ideation techniques taught in this course can help Interaction Designers generate a wide range of creative ideas for user interactions, while the iteration techniques can help them refine and improve their designs.
Graphic designer
Graphic Designers create visual concepts, using computer software or by hand, to communicate ideas that inspire, inform, and captivate consumers. This course may be useful for Graphic Designers, as it can help them learn how to visualize and iterate on solutions. The ideation techniques taught in this course can help Graphic Designers generate a wide range of creative ideas for visual concepts, while the iteration techniques can help them refine and improve their designs.
Web Designer
Web Designers create and develop websites. This course may be useful for Web Designers, as it can help them learn how to visualize and iterate on solutions. The ideation techniques taught in this course can help Web Designers generate a wide range of creative ideas for website designs, while the iteration techniques can help them refine and improve their designs.
Architect
Architects design and oversee the construction of buildings and other structures. This course may be useful for Architects, as it can help them learn how to visualize and iterate on solutions. The ideation techniques taught in this course can help Architects generate a wide range of creative ideas for building designs, while the iteration techniques can help them refine and improve their designs.
Interior designer
Interior Designers plan and design the interiors of buildings. This course may be useful for Interior Designers, as it can help them learn how to visualize and iterate on solutions. The ideation techniques taught in this course can help Interior Designers generate a wide range of creative ideas for interior designs, while the iteration techniques can help them refine and improve their designs.
Fashion Designer
Fashion Designers create and design clothing and accessories. This course may be useful for Fashion Designers, as it can help them learn how to visualize and iterate on solutions. The ideation techniques taught in this course can help Fashion Designers generate a wide range of creative ideas for clothing and accessory designs, while the iteration techniques can help them refine and improve their designs.
Game Designer
Game Designers design and develop video games. This course may be useful for Game Designers, as it can help them learn how to visualize and iterate on solutions. The ideation techniques taught in this course can help Game Designers generate a wide range of creative ideas for game designs, while the iteration techniques can help them refine and improve their designs.
UX Writer
UX Writers create and write the text content for websites, apps, and other products. This course may be useful for UX Writers, as it can help them learn how to visualize and iterate on solutions. The ideation techniques taught in this course can help UX Writers generate a wide range of creative ideas for UX writing, while the iteration techniques can help them refine and improve their writing.
Information Architect
Information Architects design and organize the structure and content of websites, apps, and other products. This course may be useful for Information Architects, as it can help them learn how to visualize and iterate on solutions. The ideation techniques taught in this course can help Information Architects generate a wide range of creative ideas for information architecture, while the iteration techniques can help them refine and improve their designs.
Technical Writer
Technical Writers create and write technical documentation, such as user manuals, white papers, and training materials. This course may be useful for Technical Writers, as it can help them learn how to visualize and iterate on solutions. The ideation techniques taught in this course can help Technical Writers generate a wide range of creative ideas for technical documentation, while the iteration techniques can help them refine and improve their writing.
Instructional Designer
Instructional Designers design and develop educational programs and materials. This course may be useful for Instructional Designers, as it can help them learn how to visualize and iterate on solutions. The ideation techniques taught in this course can help Instructional Designers generate a wide range of creative ideas for educational programs and materials, while the iteration techniques can help them refine and improve their designs.
Learning Experience Designer
Learning Experience Designers design and develop learning experiences for online, blended, and face-to-face settings. This course may be useful for Learning Experience Designers, as it can help them learn how to visualize and iterate on solutions. The ideation techniques taught in this course can help Learning Experience Designers generate a wide range of creative ideas for learning experiences, while the iteration techniques can help them refine and improve their designs.

Reading list

We've selected 14 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: Ideation, Iteration and Communication.
Provides a comprehensive guide to unlocking your creative potential, with practical exercises and case studies to help you apply the principles of design thinking to your own work.
Provides a comprehensive overview of the design thinking process, with a focus on innovation. It would be a valuable resource for students who want to learn more about the ideation and iteration phases of design thinking.
This classic book explores the challenges that established companies face when they try to innovate. It would be helpful for students who want to understand the importance of iteration and customer feedback in the design thinking process.
Practical guide to model making, a technique that can be used to generate and communicate ideas. It would be a valuable resource for students who want to learn more about how to make models effectively.
Classic guide to mind mapping, a technique that can be used to generate and organize ideas. It would be a valuable resource for students who want to learn more about visualization techniques.
Practical guide to brainstorming, a technique that is essential for generating new ideas. It would be helpful for students who want to learn more about how to brainstorm effectively.
Provides a practical guide to implementing innovation in organizations, with case studies and examples to illustrate how you can overcome common challenges.
Provides a framework for building a culture of innovation in organizations, with case studies and examples to illustrate how you can overcome common challenges.
Provides a practical guide to developing creative strategies for design projects, with case studies and examples to illustrate how you can use it to achieve your business goals.
Provides a comprehensive overview of design thinking, with practical exercises and examples to help you develop your design thinking skills.
Provides a framework for building and testing new businesses, with case studies and examples to illustrate how you can use it to reduce risk and increase your chances of success.

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