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Jeanne M. Liedtka

Welcome, designers!

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Welcome, designers!

In this course, developed at the Darden School of Business at the University of Virginia, you will carry on the design thinking process begun in our Insights to Inspiration course, beginning with the eighth step in our 14-Step process, bringing the ideas you developed in our Insights to Inspiration course to action. We start this course by asking, “What if?” We’ll use brainstorming in a new and creative way to generate solutions to your challenge, and then learn to take those raw ideas and synthesize them into important concepts. By asking, “What wows?” and “What works?” you will learn to move from ideation to experimentation.

Throughout this journey, you will gather critical skills that will enable you to turn your ideas into action that can have a profound impact on you and your organization.

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What's inside

Syllabus

What If?
Welcome to the course! In this first week, we will continue our 14-Step process with Steps 8 and 9, in which you will brainstorm ideas and develop concepts related to your chosen project.
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What Wows?
Welcome to Week 2! This week we move from hypothesis generation to hypothesis testing and from idea generation to idea evaluation.
What Wows to What Works
In Week 3 we transition from "What Wows?" to "What Works?". We will focus on Step 12 and Step 13 of your design process.
What Works
In Week 4 you will push further into the design and execution of in-market experiments.
What's Next?
It's hard to believe, but we've reached Step 15, the last step we have for you! In Step 15, we discuss what's next. Then we will wrap up our time together with some final thoughts on measuring the impact of design thinking.

Good to know

Know what's good
, what to watch for
, and possible dealbreakers
Develops skills in problem solving, creativity, and synthesis, which are essential qualities for leadership, business, and innovation
Taught by Jeanne M. Liedkta, a renowned and experienced in design thinking
Provides a structured and actionable plan for moving design thinking from theory to application
Emphasizes the importance of experimentation and iteration, which are crucial for successful design thinking outcomes
Requires some prior understanding of design thinking concepts, so beginners may benefit from taking an introductory course first
Based on the 14-Step design thinking process developed at the Darden School of Business at the University of Virginia, providing a well-established framework

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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: Ideas to Action with these activities:
Review the concepts of design thinking
Review the fundamental concepts of design thinking to strengthen your understanding and prepare for the course.
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Show steps
  • Read the syllabus and course materials
  • Review notes or past coursework on design thinking principles
Organize Course Materials
Review and organize course materials to ensure a clear understanding of the concepts and strengthen your learning foundation.
Show steps
  • Gather all course materials
  • Organize notes, assignments, and resources
  • Review and summarize key concepts
Practice using design thinking tools
Review and practice using design thinking tools to enhance your problem-solving and innovation capabilities.
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Show steps
  • Explore online tutorials and resources on design thinking tools
  • Apply these tools in your design thinking projects or personal endeavors
12 other activities
Expand to see all activities and additional details
Show all 15 activities
Design Thinking for Innovation
Review a comprehensive guide to design thinking principles and methodologies to enhance your understanding of the subject.
Show steps
  • Read the book
  • Take notes and highlight key concepts
  • Discuss the book with classmates or colleagues
Develop a design thinking project
Start working on a project that will allow you to apply the design thinking process and concepts learned in the course.
Show steps
  • Identify a problem or challenge that you want to solve through design thinking
  • Define the scope and goals of your project
  • Gather research and insights to understand the problem and potential users
Design Thinking Workshop
Attend a workshop to engage with design thinking experts and practice various techniques firsthand.
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  • Register for a workshop
  • Attend the workshop
  • Participate actively in exercises and discussions
Practice brainstorming techniques
Practice different brainstorming techniques to generate innovative ideas and solutions.
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  • Participate in online brainstorming sessions or workshops
  • Use brainstorming tools and templates to facilitate idea generation
Design Thinking Exercises
Practice using design thinking principles by implementing brainstorming techniques and idea evaluation methods.
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  • Identify a design challenge
  • Generate a list of ideas
  • Evaluate and select the best ideas
Create a mind map or concept sketch
Develop a visual representation of your ideas and concepts to enhance understanding and communication.
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  • Choose a mind mapping or concept sketching tool
  • Organize your ideas and concepts in a visual format
  • Share and discuss your mind map or concept sketch with others for feedback
Join a peer study group for design thinking
Connect with other students to discuss course concepts, work on projects, and exchange ideas.
Show steps
  • Find a study buddy or group online or through the course platform
  • Set up regular meeting times to discuss course material and work on projects
Design Thinking Case Study
Develop a comprehensive case study that applies design thinking methodologies to a real-world business challenge.
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  • Identify a business problem
  • Conduct research and gather data
  • Develop and implement design thinking solutions
  • Evaluate the results and make recommendations
Mentor a junior student in design thinking
Share your knowledge and experience by mentoring a junior student or colleague in design thinking.
Show steps
  • Identify a mentee who is interested in learning about design thinking
  • Set up regular meetings to guide and support your mentee
Mentor Junior Design Thinkers
Share your knowledge and experience by mentoring junior design thinkers and guiding their development.
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  • Identify potential mentees
  • Establish a mentoring relationship
  • Provide guidance, support, and feedback
Design Thinking Prototype
Create a prototype of a design solution to test and refine ideas before implementation.
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  • Develop a prototype concept
  • Build the prototype
  • Test the prototype with users
  • Refine the prototype based on feedback
Contribute to Open Design Projects
Participate in open source design projects to gain hands-on experience and contribute to the design community.
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Show steps
  • Identify open source design projects
  • Join a project and contribute your skills
  • Collaborate with other contributors

Career center

Learners who complete Design Thinking: Ideas to Action will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:
User Experience Designer
User Experience Designers focus on creating products and services that are easy to use and enjoyable. They work with a variety of stakeholders, including engineers, product managers, and marketing professionals, to ensure that products meet the needs of users. The Design Thinking: Ideas to Action course can help you develop the skills you need to be a successful User Experience Designer, such as user research, prototyping, and usability testing.
Product Manager
Product Managers lead the development of new products and services. They work with a variety of stakeholders, including engineers, designers, and marketing professionals, to bring products to market. The Design Thinking: Ideas to Action course can help you develop the skills you need to be a successful Product Manager, such as brainstorming, prototyping, and user testing.
Innovation Manager
Innovation Managers lead innovation initiatives within organizations. They work with a variety of stakeholders, including business leaders, product managers, and engineers, to develop and implement new products and services. The Design Thinking: Ideas to Action course can help you develop the skills you need to be a successful Innovation Manager, such as ideation, prototyping, and market research.
Designer
Designers create and develop products and services that are both useful and aesthetically pleasing. They work with a variety of stakeholders, including engineers, product managers, and marketing professionals, to develop and implement solutions. The Design Thinking: Ideas to Action course can help you develop the skills you need to be a successful Designer, such as creativity, problem-solving, and communication.
Customer Success Manager
Customer Success Managers help customers get the most value out of products and services. They work with a variety of stakeholders, including customers, sales professionals, and product managers, to ensure that customers are satisfied. The Design Thinking: Ideas to Action course can help you develop the skills you need to be a successful Customer Success Manager, such as customer relationship management, problem-solving, and communication.
Entrepreneur
Entrepreneurs start and run their own businesses. They work with a variety of stakeholders, including investors, customers, and employees, to develop and grow their businesses. The Design Thinking: Ideas to Action course can help you develop the skills you need to be a successful Entrepreneur, such as ideation, market research, and business planning.
Business Analyst
Business Analysts help organizations improve their performance by identifying and solving business problems. They work with a variety of stakeholders, including business leaders, product managers, and IT professionals, to develop and implement solutions. The Design Thinking: Ideas to Action course can help you develop the skills you need to be a successful Business Analyst, such as problem-solving, communication, and stakeholder management.
Consultant
Consultants provide advice and support to organizations on a variety of topics. They work with a variety of stakeholders, including business leaders, product managers, and IT professionals, to help organizations improve their performance. The Design Thinking: Ideas to Action course can help you develop the skills you need to be a successful Consultant, such as problem-solving, communication, and stakeholder management.
Marketing Manager
Marketing Managers develop and execute marketing campaigns to promote products and services. They work with a variety of stakeholders, including sales professionals, public relations professionals, and advertising agencies, to ensure that marketing campaigns are effective. The Design Thinking: Ideas to Action course can help you develop the skills you need to be a successful Marketing Manager, such as market research, branding, and digital marketing.
Researcher
Researchers conduct research to answer questions and solve problems. They work with a variety of stakeholders, including academic institutions, government agencies, and businesses, to develop and implement research projects. The Design Thinking: Ideas to Action course can help you develop the skills you need to be a successful Researcher, such as research design, data analysis, and communication.
Data Analyst
Data Analysts collect, analyze, and interpret data to help organizations make better decisions. They work with a variety of stakeholders, including business leaders, product managers, and marketing professionals, to provide insights into data. The Design Thinking: Ideas to Action course can help you develop the skills you need to be a successful Data Analyst, such as data collection, data analysis, and data visualization.
Sales Manager
Sales Managers lead sales teams and develop sales strategies. They work with a variety of stakeholders, including sales professionals, marketing professionals, and customer service professionals, to ensure that sales goals are met. The Design Thinking: Ideas to Action course can help you develop the skills you need to be a successful Sales Manager, such as customer relationship management, negotiation, and sales forecasting.
Project Manager
Project Managers plan, execute, and close projects. They work with a variety of stakeholders, including project team members, stakeholders, and sponsors, to ensure that projects are completed on time, within budget, and to the required quality. The Design Thinking: Ideas to Action course can help you develop the skills you need to be a successful Project Manager, such as project planning, risk management, and stakeholder management.
Engineer
Engineers design, develop, and test products and systems. They work with a variety of stakeholders, including customers, product managers, and sales professionals, to develop and implement solutions. The Design Thinking: Ideas to Action course can help you develop the skills you need to be a successful Engineer, such as problem-solving, creativity, and communication.
Artist
Artists create and express themselves through their work. They work with a variety of stakeholders, including galleries, museums, and collectors, to develop and exhibit their work. The Design Thinking: Ideas to Action course may help you develop the skills you need to be a successful Artist, such as creativity, problem-solving, and communication.

Reading list

We've selected nine 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: Ideas to Action.
Provides a practical guide to using design thinking to solve real-world problems. It valuable resource for anyone who wants to learn how to make a difference in the world using design thinking.
Provides a comprehensive overview of the principles of usability engineering. It must-read for anyone who wants to learn how to design products and services that are easy to use and enjoyable to interact with.
Provides a comprehensive overview of the design thinking process, from ideation to implementation. It valuable resource for anyone who wants to learn more about design thinking and how to apply it to their work.
Provides a practical guide to creating value propositions that customers will love. It valuable resource for anyone who wants to learn how to develop and communicate their value proposition effectively.
Provides a detailed guide to running a design sprint, a five-day process for solving problems and testing new ideas. It valuable resource for anyone who wants to learn how to use design thinking to solve problems and get results quickly.
Provides a comprehensive overview of the principles of user experience design. It must-read for anyone who wants to learn how to design products and services that are easy to use and enjoyable to interact with.
Provides a practical guide to building a successful product using the lean product development process. It valuable resource for anyone who wants to learn how to validate their ideas, build a minimum viable product, and get their product to market quickly.
Explores the challenges that established companies face when they try to innovate. It must-read for anyone who wants to understand the dynamics of innovation and how to overcome the barriers to success.
Provides a step-by-step guide to building a successful startup. It must-read for anyone who wants to learn how to validate their ideas, build a minimum viable product, and get their product to market quickly.

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