We may earn an affiliate commission when you visit our partners.
Course image
Rajesh Krishnan
  • This Course delves into the fundamentals of the Design Thinking approach by immersing you in collaborative exercises, discussions, and constructive engagement. You will experience the power of Design Thinking concepts to create a path to innovation, unveil new possibilities, and make a greater contribution to your organization’s future success.

  • Design Thinking revolves around a deep interest in developing an understanding of the people for whom we’re designing the products or services. It helps us observe and develop empathy with the target user. Design Thinking helps us in the process of questioning: questioning the problem, questioning the assumptions, and questioning the implications.

  • Some of the world’s leading brands, such as Apple, Google, Samsung and GE, have rapidly adopted the Design Thinking approach, and Design Thinking is being taught at leading universities around the world, including d school, Stanford, Harvard and MIT.

Read more
  • This Course delves into the fundamentals of the Design Thinking approach by immersing you in collaborative exercises, discussions, and constructive engagement. You will experience the power of Design Thinking concepts to create a path to innovation, unveil new possibilities, and make a greater contribution to your organization’s future success.

  • Design Thinking revolves around a deep interest in developing an understanding of the people for whom we’re designing the products or services. It helps us observe and develop empathy with the target user. Design Thinking helps us in the process of questioning: questioning the problem, questioning the assumptions, and questioning the implications.

  • Some of the world’s leading brands, such as Apple, Google, Samsung and GE, have rapidly adopted the Design Thinking approach, and Design Thinking is being taught at leading universities around the world, including d school, Stanford, Harvard and MIT.

Key Takeaways:

  • What is Design Thinking?

  • How design thinking is helping create products and service that are desirable, feasible and viable?

  • When and Where to apply design thinking?

  • Why it is becoming important to embrace Design Thinking culture?

Coach:

  • Rajesh Krishnan is Certified “Enterprise Design Thinking Practitioner” from IBM. He has conducted Design Thinking Training in various organization.

  • He was part of Setting up Design Thinking CoE from inception, in previous Organization.

  • His workshops are result driven which provides team with solution to complex problems and/or ideas/outcomes that can be implemented to improve the service or product.

Enroll now

What's inside

Learning objectives

  • What is design thinking?
  • How design thinking is helping create products and service that are desirable, feasible and viable?
  • Understand the building blocks of design thinking: product v/s service, end user experience, think v/s feel and so on.
  • When and where to apply design thinking?
  • An overview of overall design thinking process
  • Why it is becoming important to embrace design thinking culture?

Syllabus

Introduction
Just a Glance!
Design Thinking, Since Primitive Age?
Trainers Introduction
Read more

Download the attached resource

This is a Demo Lecture. Full explanation of Design Thinking process is captured the Full course.

Save this course

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

Career center

Learners who complete Design Thinking Fundamentals will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:
Service Designer
A Service Designer focuses on optimizing and creating new services, ensuring they are user-friendly, efficient, and meet both customer and business needs. This course provides an excellent entry point into Service Design, emphasizing the critical distinction between product and service and the importance of end-user experience. Through the Design Thinking Fundamentals program, you will learn to observe and develop empathy with the target user, which is paramount for designing holistic service journeys. The collaborative exercises and discussions on questioning problems and assumptions are invaluable for uncovering pain points and designing desirable, feasible, and viable service solutions. Understanding how to apply design thinking will equip you to make a greater contribution to an organization’s future success.
User Experience Designer
A User Experience Designer is dedicated to creating intuitive, enjoyable, and effective experiences for users interacting with products or services. This role centers on understanding user behaviors, needs, and motivations to inform design decisions. Your journey through this Design Thinking Fundamentals course helps to build a precise foundation for this career, as it rigorously delves into developing deep empathy with the target user and observing their interactions. The course's focus on questioning problems, assumptions, and implications directly supports the critical analysis required to design products and services that are truly desirable, feasible, and viable. Embracing the Design Thinking culture, as explored in the course, is essential for a User Experience Designer to foster innovation and deliver impactful user-centric solutions.
Product Manager
A Product Manager leads the strategy, roadmap, and feature definition for a product, ensuring it meets customer needs and business goals. This course, Design Thinking Fundamentals, provides a robust framework for approaching product development by emphasizing how to create products and services that are desirable, feasible, and viable. Through collaborative exercises and discussions, the course strengthens your ability to develop a deep understanding of target users, a core competency for any successful Product Manager. Learning to question problems, assumptions, and implications helps you identify true market needs and innovate effectively. Embracing the Design Thinking culture, as taught in this program, will enable you to navigate complex product challenges and drive organizational success.
User Researcher
A User Researcher investigates the behaviors, needs, and motivations of users to provide insights that inform product and service design. This Design Thinking Fundamentals course is exceptionally well-suited for an aspiring User Researcher, as its core tenets revolve around developing a deep interest in understanding people, observing, and developing empathy with the target user. The course sharpens your ability to question problems, assumptions, and implications, which is fundamental to framing research questions and uncovering meaningful insights. By focusing on the building blocks of user experience and the overall Design Thinking Process, this program directly equips you with the mindset and approach necessary to excel in user research and contribute to desirable, feasible, and viable solutions.
Entrepreneur
An Entrepreneur identifies opportunities, creates new ventures, and brings innovative products or services to market. For an Entrepreneur, this Design Thinking Fundamentals course is an invaluable resource. It directly addresses creating a path to innovation and unveiling new possibilities, core activities for any startup. The course empowers you to develop a deep understanding of potential customers, observe them, and cultivate empathy to design offerings that are truly desirable, feasible, and viable. Learning to question problems, assumptions, and implications from the outset helps validate ideas and mitigate risks, significantly increasing the chances of generating valuable projects and achieving market success.
Innovation Manager
An Innovation Manager champions the development and implementation of new ideas, products, or processes within an organization to foster growth and competitive advantage. The Design Thinking Fundamentals course is remarkably well-suited for aspiring Innovation Managers, as it directly addresses creating a path to innovation and unveiling new possibilities. This course teaches how to approach complex challenges by deeply understanding people and questioning existing paradigms, which is fundamental to successful innovation. By learning when and where to apply design thinking, you will be equipped to identify opportunities and guide teams in developing desirable, feasible, and viable solutions. Embracing the Design Thinking culture, a key takeaway, is vital for driving a culture of continuous advancement.
Product Owner
A Product Owner works within an agile development team, responsible for defining and prioritizing the product backlog to maximize product value. The Design Thinking Fundamentals course is an excellent fit for a Product Owner, as it directly aligns with the goal of creating products that are desirable, feasible, and viable. The course emphasizes developing a deep understanding of the people for whom products are being designed, observing customers, and cultivating empathy. Learning to rigorously question problems, assumptions, and implications helps in articulating clear user stories and prioritizing features that truly address user needs. Embracing the Design Thinking culture ensures a continuous focus on innovation and user-centric value delivery.
Strategy Consultant
A Strategy Consultant advises organizations on high-level decisions to achieve their goals, often involving market entry, new product launches, or operational improvements. This role typically requires an advanced degree. The Design Thinking Fundamentals course may be useful for those pursuing Strategy Consulting, as it hones skills in questioning problems and assumptions, crucial for strategic analysis. By immersing you in collaborative exercises, the course helps develop the ability to unveil new possibilities and create a path to innovation, core aspects of strategic thinking. Understanding how design thinking assists in creating desirable, feasible, and viable solutions is invaluable for crafting actionable recommendations that drive organizational success.
Learning and Development Specialist
A Learning and Development Specialist designs, implements, and evaluates training programs and initiatives to enhance employee skills and organizational capabilities. The Design Thinking Fundamentals course may be useful for this role, particularly when designing impactful learning experiences. Similar to how the course coach conducts "result driven workshops," a specialist can apply Design Thinking principles to understand "learner users," question their current knowledge gaps and assumptions, and design desirable, feasible, and viable learning interventions. Embracing the Design Thinking culture can lead to innovative training solutions that genuinely improve service or product delivery within the organization.
Organizational Development Specialist
An Organizational Development Specialist works to improve an organization's effectiveness and health through planned interventions in processes, structure, and culture. This role often requires an advanced degree. The Design Thinking Fundamentals course may be useful for an Organizational Development Specialist, as it provides a framework for deeply understanding organizational challenges and the people within them. By emphasizing observation and empathy, the course helps in questioning existing organizational problems and assumptions to co-create desirable, feasible, and viable solutions. Learning when and where to apply design thinking can enhance your ability to plan and implement interventions that foster innovation and contribute to long-term organizational success.
Business Analyst
A Business Analyst helps organizations improve processes, products, and services by analyzing data, identifying problems, and recommending solutions. While often associated with technical requirements, the role increasingly benefits from a user-centric approach. The Design Thinking Fundamentals course may be useful for Business Analysts by helping them to develop a deep interest in understanding the people for whom solutions are being designed. The emphasis on questioning problems, assumptions, and implications provides a robust framework for identifying root causes and defining effective business solutions. Learning when and where to apply design thinking can enhance your ability to contribute to the creation of desirable, feasible, and viable organizational improvements.
Marketing Manager
A Marketing Manager is responsible for promoting products or services and understanding target audiences to drive brand awareness and sales. The Design Thinking Fundamentals course may be useful for a Marketing Manager by deepening their ability to observe and develop empathy with the target user. This user-centric understanding is crucial for crafting compelling marketing messages and developing desirable products and campaigns. The course's approach to questioning assumptions and implications can help refine marketing strategies to be more impactful and relevant. Understanding how design thinking helps create products and services that are desirable, feasible, and viable can significantly enhance a Marketing Manager's contribution to market success.
Change Management Specialist
A Change Management Specialist guides organizations and individuals through transitions, ensuring new initiatives are adopted successfully and resistance is minimized. This course may be useful for a Change Management Specialist because it focuses on developing a deep interest in understanding people, their needs, and assumptions, which is critical during periods of organizational change. The collaborative exercises and discussions within the Design Thinking Fundamentals course can help you learn to question problems and implications, enabling you to design change processes that are desirable and feasible for stakeholders. Embracing a Design Thinking culture, as explored in the course, fosters an environment more receptive to innovation and new ways of working.
Project Manager
A Project Manager is responsible for planning, executing, and closing projects, ensuring they meet deadlines and objectives. For projects involving product or service development, or organizational change, the Design Thinking Fundamentals course may be useful. It helps develop an understanding of the people for whom solutions are being designed, ensuring project outcomes are truly desirable. The course's emphasis on questioning problems and assumptions can aid in early risk identification and stakeholder management. While not directly a project management methodology, understanding when and where to apply design thinking can help a Project Manager guide teams towards innovative, user-centric solutions, ultimately contributing to greater organizational success.
Human Resources Business Partner
A Human Resources Business Partner collaborates with business leaders to align HR strategies with organizational goals, often focusing on employee experience, talent management, and culture. The Design Thinking Fundamentals course may be useful for a Human Resources Business Partner, especially in designing employee programs and policies. The course emphasizes developing a deep understanding of people – in this context, employees – by observing and developing empathy with them. Learning to question problems, assumptions, and implications can lead to more desirable, feasible, and viable HR solutions. Embracing the Design Thinking culture, as discussed, can foster a more innovative and people-centric approach to HR practices, making a greater contribution to organizational success.

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 Design Thinking Fundamentals.
This textbook provides a comprehensive overview of organization development, covering theory, research, and practical applications.
Classic text on project management that provides a comprehensive overview of the field. It great resource for anyone who wants to learn about project management or improve their skills.
This foundational text is essential for anyone beginning to explore UX. It introduces core concepts of user-centered design and the importance of understanding how people interact with objects and systems in their daily lives. While not solely focused on digital products, its principles are universally applicable and provide crucial prerequisite knowledge for any UX practitioner. It is widely considered a must-read classic in the field.
A concise and pragmatic guide to conducting user research. emphasizes doing just enough research to inform design decisions, focusing on practical methods and aल्लाह mindset. It's an excellent resource for gaining a broad understanding of UX research fundamentals and is highly recommended for anyone getting started with research.
Translates psychological principles into actionable design guidelines. It offers insights into how people see, read, remember, and think, providing a strong foundation in the human factors that underpin effective UX design. It's valuable for both gaining a broad understanding and deepening one's knowledge of user behavior. This book useful reference for understanding the 'why' behind many UX recommendations.
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.
Considered a seminal work in information architecture (IA), this book provides a comprehensive guide to organizing, labeling, and navigating information spaces. IA critical component of UX, and this book offers deep insights into creating findable and understandable digital products. It valuable reference for anyone looking to deepen their understanding of structure and organization in UX.
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.
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.
Comprehensive guide to project management that provides answers to common questions. It great resource for anyone who wants to learn more about project management or solve specific problems.
Practical guide to agile project management that is full of tips and advice. It great resource for anyone who wants to learn how to use agile methods to improve their project management skills.
Practical guide to project management that is full of insights and advice. It great resource for anyone who wants to learn how to manage projects more effectively.
Provides a comprehensive overview of the product development process, from ideation to launch. It is written by two of the leading experts in marketing and innovation.
While not strictly a UX book, this practical guide to conducting effective customer interviews is invaluable for UX research. It teaches you how to ask questions that elicit honest and useful feedback, avoiding common pitfalls that lead to biased information. It is highly recommended for anyone involved in user research and provides essential skills for gathering accurate user insights.
Practical guide to service design thinking, a human-centered approach to designing and improving services. It is written by two of the leading experts in the field and is packed with practical tips and exercises.
Offers a comprehensive look at the mindset and practices of effective UX researchers. It covers planning research, conducting studies, analyzing data, and communicating findings to stakeholders. It's a valuable resource for those looking to deepen their understanding of UX research as a strategic function.
A comprehensive handbook covering all aspects of planning, designing, and conducting usability tests. It provides detailed guidance and practical templates, making it a valuable reference for anyone involved in usability testing. It's suitable for both those new to testing and experienced practitioners looking to refine their skills.
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.
This classic text introduces a powerful communication framework that emphasizes empathy as a core element for resolving conflict and building understanding. It's highly relevant for anyone interested in effective communication and conflict resolution, from high school to professional levels. It serves as a practical guide and is often used in workshops.
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.
Save
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.
Offers practical advice and strategies for UX practitioners working in environments with limited resources or without a dedicated UX team. It covers a wide range of UX activities and provides guidance on advocating for UX within an organization. It's particularly useful for those looking to apply UX principles in challenging contexts.
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.
Provides a comprehensive guide to quantitative UX research, focusing on collecting, analyzing, and presenting UX metrics. It's valuable for deepening understanding of how to measure user experience and demonstrate the impact of design decisions. It useful reference for researchers and designers looking to incorporate quantitative data into their work.
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.
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.
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.
Written by a leading researcher on empathy, this book explores the neuroscience of empathy and provides a seven-step method for increasing empathetic capacity. It's relevant for a wide audience interested in the science behind empathy and practical techniques for improving connection.
Provides a broad introduction to empathy, exploring its history, its importance in various aspects of life, and practical ways to cultivate it. It's suitable for high school and undergraduate students seeking a foundational understanding. The author's work in founding the world's first Empathy Museum adds to its authority.
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 detailed guide to various user research methods, with a strong emphasis on observation and qualitative techniques. It covers planning and conducting research, analyzing data, and reporting findings. It's a valuable resource for deepening understanding of UX research practices.
Comprehensive reference of 125 key design principles, many of which are directly applicable to UX. It provides concise explanations and visual examples of principles from various disciplines, offering a broad understanding of fundamental design concepts that inform UX. It's a useful reference for designers of all levels.
Focuses on using data, specifically A/B testing, to inform design decisions and improve the user experience. It's highly relevant for contemporary UX practice, emphasizing a data-driven approach. It's valuable for deepening understanding of quantitative methods in UX and their application. While the ISBN provided is for an older edition, the content remains relevant for understanding the principles of A/B testing in UX.
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.
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.
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.

Share

Help others find this course page by sharing it with your friends and followers:

Similar courses

Here are nine courses similar to Design Thinking Fundamentals.
Effective Service Innovation by Design in Hotel...
Most relevant
The Business of Product Management II
Most relevant
Experiencing Design: Deepening Your Design Thinking...
Most relevant
The Search for Great Ideas: Harnessing creativity to...
Most relevant
Open Design
Most relevant
Product and Service Development: Empathy Mapping with...
Most relevant
Design-Led Strategy: Design thinking for business...
Most relevant
Design Thinking for Innovators
Most relevant
Basics of entrepreneurship: thinking and doing
Most relevant

Udemy Buyer Protection & Guarantee

Verified partner policies & purchase protections

Global Marketplace Leader
Free Trial & Audit

Free Lecture Previews

Free preview video lectures available for all courses; optional 7-day free trial on Personal Plan subscriptions (cancel before trial ends to avoid conversion).

Return & Refund Policy

30-Day Money-Back Guarantee

30-day money-back guarantee on all eligible individual course purchases (provided course content has not been substantially consumed or downloaded). Subscription fees are non-refundable once billed.

Buyer Protections

Verified Academic & Industry Partner

Lifetime access to purchased individual courses and future updates, verifiable certificate of completion, and direct student Q&A forums.

Key Purchase Protections
30-day 100% money-back guarantee on course purchases
Lifetime access on web, mobile, and offline
Certificate of completion included with purchase
Direct instructor Q&A and active student community
OpenCourser Verified Partner Policy details last reviewed: 2026-10-22
Our mission

OpenCourser helps millions of learners each year. People visit us to learn workspace skills, ace their exams, and nurture their curiosity.

Our extensive catalog contains over 50,000 courses and twice as many books. Browse by search, by topic, or even by career interests. We'll match you to the right resources quickly.

Find this site helpful? Tell a friend about us.

Affiliate disclosure

We're supported by our community of learners. When you purchase or subscribe to courses and programs or purchase books, we may earn a commission from our partners.

Your purchases help us maintain our catalog and keep our servers humming without ads.

Thank you for supporting OpenCourser.

© 2016 - 2025 OpenCourser