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Take our Design Thinking Basics course and learn the fundamental concepts you'll need to understand users and solve problems.

What's inside

Syllabus

Design Thinking is one of the most in-demand skills. In this lesson, we'll introduce you to the fundamental concepts that you'll need to step into the world of Design Thinking.

Good to know

Know what's good
, what to watch for
, and possible dealbreakers
Develops skills and knowledge which are the cornerstone to any learning or development journey
Offers an initial foray into a highly in-demand skill set
This course provides an introduction to the basic concepts of design thinking

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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 Discovering Design Thinking with these activities:
Review the basics of design thinking
Reviewing the basics of design thinking will help you understand the fundamental concepts that you'll need to succeed in this course.
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Show steps
  • Read the course syllabus
  • Watch the introductory video
  • Complete the pre-course assessment
Compile a list of design thinking resources
Compiling a list of design thinking resources will help you find the information and tools you need to succeed in this course and beyond.
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Show steps
  • Search for design thinking resources online
  • Add the resources to a list
  • Organize the list by category or topic
Follow a tutorial on how to use the design thinking process
Following a tutorial on how to use the design thinking process will help you develop a deeper understanding of the steps involved and how to apply them to real-world problems.
Show steps
  • Find a tutorial that covers the design thinking process
  • Follow the steps outlined in the tutorial
  • Apply the design thinking process to a real-world problem
Four other activities
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Attend a design thinking workshop or conference
Attending a design thinking workshop or conference will give you the opportunity to learn from experts and network with other professionals in the field.
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Show steps
  • Find a design thinking workshop or conference
  • Register for the event
  • Attend the event
  • Network with other attendees
Practice using the design thinking process to solve problems
Practicing using the design thinking process to solve problems will help you develop your skills and become more confident in applying it to real-world situations.
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Show steps
  • Identify a problem that you want to solve
  • Brainstorm solutions to the problem
  • Prototype and test your solutions
  • Iterate on your solutions based on feedback
Create a presentation on the design thinking process
Creating a presentation on the design thinking process will help you synthesize your understanding of the process and communicate it effectively to others.
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Show steps
  • Choose a topic for your presentation
  • Research the topic
  • Develop your presentation slides
  • Practice your presentation
  • Deliver your presentation
Start a design thinking project
Starting a design thinking project will allow you to apply your skills and knowledge to a real-world problem and see the process in action.
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Show steps
  • Identify a problem that you want to solve
  • Develop a project plan
  • Conduct user research
  • Brainstorm solutions to the problem
  • Prototype and test your solutions
  • Iterate on your solutions based on feedback
  • Implement your solution

Career center

Learners who complete Discovering Design Thinking will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:
Industrial Designer
As an Industrial Designer, you will be tasked with developing new and innovative products. By taking the Design Thinking Basics course, you can gain the foundational skills needed to understand user needs and come up with effective solutions. This course will help equip you with a deep understanding of the design thinking process, from user research and ideation to prototyping and testing. With these skills, you will be able to approach product design with a human-centered and iterative mindset, ultimately leading to successful product creations.
Product Designer
In the role of a Product Designer, you will be responsible for creating and shaping digital products used by millions of people. By taking the Design Thinking Basics course, you can develop a solid foundation in user-centered design principles and practices. This course will provide you with a comprehensive understanding of the entire design thinking process, enabling you to empathize with users, generate creative solutions, and craft user-friendly and intuitive digital products.
Service Designer
As a Service Designer, you will focus on improving customer experiences by designing and implementing new services or refining existing ones. The Design Thinking Basics course will provide you with a strong foundation in human-centered design principles, enabling you to create services that meet real user needs. This course will guide you through the entire service design process, from user research and service blueprinting to prototyping and evaluation, giving you the tools to deliver exceptional service experiences.
User Experience Designer
In the role of a User Experience Designer, you will be responsible for creating seamless and enjoyable experiences for users interacting with digital products and services. By taking the Design Thinking Basics course, you will build a strong foundation in user-centered design thinking. This course will equip you with a deep understanding of user research, prototyping, and usability testing methodologies, enabling you to design user experiences that are both effective and engaging.
Interaction Designer
As an Interaction Designer, you will be tasked with designing the user interface and interactions for digital products and services. By taking the Design Thinking Basics course, you can build a solid foundation in human-centered design principles and practices. This course will teach you how to understand user needs, create user flows, and design intuitive and engaging user interfaces, ultimately leading to successful and user-friendly digital products.
Design Researcher
In the role of a Design Researcher, you will be responsible for conducting user research to inform design decisions and improve user experiences. By taking the Design Thinking Basics course, you can gain a deep understanding of the fundamentals of user research methods and techniques. This course will equip you with the skills to identify user needs, conduct user interviews and surveys, analyze data, and derive insights that drive informed design decisions.
Design Strategist
As a Design Strategist, you will be responsible for guiding organizations in developing and implementing design-led strategies. By taking the Design Thinking Basics course, you can gain a comprehensive understanding of the principles and practices of design thinking. This course will equip you with the tools to understand business challenges, identify opportunities for innovation, and develop strategic plans that leverage design to drive business success.
Innovation Manager
As an Innovation Manager, you will be tasked with leading and managing innovation initiatives within organizations. By taking the Design Thinking Basics course, you can develop a strong understanding of the design thinking process and its application in driving innovation. This course will provide you with the tools and techniques to identify opportunities for innovation, develop creative solutions, and implement innovative ideas that lead to business growth and success.
Design Educator
As a Design Educator, you will be responsible for teaching and inspiring the next generation of designers. By taking the Design Thinking Basics course, you can gain a deep understanding of the fundamentals of design thinking and its application in various design disciplines. This course will equip you with the pedagogical skills to effectively communicate design concepts, facilitate design thinking workshops, and mentor students in their design journeys.
Content Designer
As a Content Designer, you will be responsible for creating and managing written content for websites, apps, and other digital products. By taking the Design Thinking Basics course, you may develop a better understanding of the user-centered design process and its application in content creation. This course will provide you with a framework for understanding user needs, structuring content effectively, and writing clear and engaging content that meets the needs of users.
Information Architect
As an Information Architect, you will be responsible for designing and organizing the structure and content of websites, apps, and other digital products. By taking the Design Thinking Basics course, you may develop a better understanding of the user-centered design process and its application in information architecture. This course will equip you with a framework for understanding user needs, creating sitemaps and navigation systems, and organizing content in a way that is both intuitive and effective.
Front-End Developer
As a Front-end Developer, you will be responsible for translating designs into functional and visually appealing user interfaces. By taking the Design Thinking Basics course, you may develop a better understanding of the design process and the principles behind user-centered design. This course will provide you with a foundation in design principles, user experience, and accessibility, helping you create user interfaces that are both beautiful and effective.
Business Analyst
As a Business Analyst, you will be responsible for analyzing business needs and developing solutions to improve organizational efficiency and effectiveness. By taking the Design Thinking Basics course, you may develop a better understanding of the problem-solving process and the importance of user-centered design. This course will provide you with a framework for understanding business processes, identifying pain points, and developing data-driven solutions that meet the needs of stakeholders.
Marketing Manager
As a Marketing Manager, you will be responsible for developing and executing marketing campaigns to promote products or services. By taking the Design Thinking Basics course, you may develop a better understanding of the customer journey and the importance of user-centered design. This course will provide you with a framework for understanding customer needs, developing targeted marketing messages, and creating marketing campaigns that resonate with your audience.
Project Manager
As a Project Manager, you will be responsible for planning, executing, and delivering projects successfully. By taking the Design Thinking Basics course, you may develop a better understanding of the project development process and the importance of stakeholder engagement. This course will provide you with a framework for defining project scope, creating project plans, and managing project teams effectively.

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 Discovering Design Thinking.
Practical guide to using design thinking in a variety of settings. It provides step-by-step instructions for each phase of the design thinking process, and includes case studies from a variety of industries.
Provides a comprehensive overview of the design thinking process, with a focus on using it for innovation. It would be a valuable resource for students who want to learn more about the theory and practice of design thinking.
Manifesto for the importance of design thinking in business and society. It argues that design thinking can help us solve complex problems and create a better future.
This deck of cards great way to learn about the design thinking process and how to apply it to your own work. Each card describes a different aspect of design thinking, and provides a brief explanation and example.
Classic work on design. It provides a comprehensive overview of the principles of good design, and how to apply them to a variety of products and services.
Classic work on innovation. It explains why companies often fail to innovate, and provides a framework for developing and launching successful new products and services.
Practical guide to building a successful startup. It provides a step-by-step process for testing and validating your ideas, and for building a sustainable business.
Explores the relationship between thinking and doing, and how it applies to design. It argues that design form of knowledge that is gained through experience, and that it is essential for understanding the world around us.
Practical guide to using design thinking to solve social problems. It provides a step-by-step process for developing and implementing social innovations.
Identifies the five key characteristics of successful innovators. It provides a framework for assessing your own innovative potential, and for developing the skills necessary to become a more effective innovator.
Collection of essays by leading design thinkers on how design thinking can be used to solve some of the world's biggest problems. It provides a variety of perspectives on the role of design thinking in social innovation.

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