Human-Centered Design for Inclusive Innovation from Coursera

This course introduces the principles and practices of human-centered design (also sometimes called “design thinking”) which are essential for developing innovative and inclusive products, services, processes and policies. You will learn by doing, experiencing the design process through exercises and a mini-bootcamp.

In this course, you will learn about and experience key human-centered design practices: empathize, reframe, ideate, prototype and test. You will learn why human-centered design is a central component of Gender Analytics. You will develop skills in problem finding (and not just problem solving) by understanding users', stakeholders’ and beneficiaries' lived experiences. You will learn to co-create with diverse stakeholders, develop prototypes, and iterate to develop more innovative solutions. This is the third course of the Gender Analytics Specialization offered by the Institute for Gender and the Economy (GATE) at the University of Toronto's Rotman School of Management. It's great on its own, and you will get even more out of it if you take it as part of the Specialization.

What's inside

Syllabus

Human-centered design for inclusive innovation

In this module, you will learn the basics of human-centered design. You will get a taste of working as a designer and walk through the steps of the design process in a mini-bootcamp exercise. At the end of the module, we will discuss how human-centered design fits well with Gender Analytics.

Empathize: Empathy-based research methods

Building empathy is the foundation of human-centered design. Problems we’re solving are usually not only ours, but are experienced by other people, such as our employees, customers, clients, colleagues, and others in the community. To truly understand the context and complexity of the problem we’re trying to solve, we need to focus on putting people first and directing our curiosity towards them. In this module, we’re going to dive deeper into the first phase — Empathize. You will learn how to build empathy for target customers or beneficiaries using design-thinking methods. This will help you gain rich insights for your design of a product, service, process or policy.

Reframing: Making sense of your research

Are you solving the right problem? It doesn’t matter how great your solution is if you are working on the wrong problem. It is important to take the time to understand what you are solving for. In this week, you will learn a few tools and techniques to dig beyond the obvious patterns and draw out key insights to identify the deeper problems to solve. At the end of this week, you will be able to reframe of the problem to solve for your design challenge.

Ideate, prototype, and test

Now that you have reframed your challenge, it’s time to start finding innovative solutions. In this module, you will learn how to apply an intersectional gender lens to the ideation process to create an inclusive design, build prototypes to test your ideas, and refine your solution based on feedback.

Good to know

Know what's good

, what to watch for

, and possible dealbreakers

Develops empathy, reframing, ideation, prototyping, and testing, which are fundamental skills for solving complex problems with human-centered solutions

Examines human-centered design, which is essential for designing inclusive and innovative products and services

Emphasizes empathy and stakeholder engagement, which helps learners develop solutions that are grounded in the needs of diverse groups

Includes hands-on exercises and a mini-bootcamp, providing practical experience in applying human-centered design principles

Part of the Gender Analytics Specialization offered by the Institute for Gender and the Economy (GATE) at the University of Toronto's Rotman School of Management, enhancing its credibility and rigor

Reviews summary

Highly rated inclusive design course

Learners largely praise this Human-Centered Design for Inclusive Innovation course. Engaging assignments, knowledgeable instructors, and practical teachings are commonly mentioned among the positive reviews. Students appreciate the course's real-life scenarios and practical methodology. Many say it helped them rethink design and innovation.

Knowledgeable and supportive instructors.

"the teachers were so amazing and fantastic that they all blew my mind"

"Prof Lueng's teaching are in-lined with the topic. Great course!"

"Relative to other course I took in this platform, this especially kept me motivated, engaged, and stimulated from start to finish."

Well-structured and engaging content.

"Great course! Loved this course! Only wish there was a virtual engagement component..."

"Very clear, practical course."

"It was a really simplified and go to course to run through. I enjoyed learning new things about how to create."

Applicable in professional careers.

"The workbook, handouts, and methodology are things I'll reuse throughout my career, and I've already begun applying learnings in my professional life from this course."

"This course is absolutely worth your time investment."

"I highly recommend this course to people trying to solve problems at their organization, may it be about gender or not."

Promotes inclusive thinking.

"It made me reflect so much on my own behaviors."

"The key question (is continuously welcome) : "Who are you designing for"?"

"Empathy-based research, Problem Reframing, new ideas and others amazing strategies and techniques are transformative ways to bring honest and inclusive solutions."

Could include more real-world case studies.

"I have just expected more content on gender aspect."

"And explaining each of the concepts through examples was very innovative, but I wish that some more examples related to actual corporate world were included, that would had helped us more to relate to this topic."

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 Human-Centered Design for Inclusive Innovation with these activities:

Review basic HCI principles

Show steps

Review key HCI concepts and principles you will need for this course.

Browse courses on Human Centered Design

Show steps

Read the articles linked in the course syllabus
Watch the videos on the HCI basics
Complete the practice quiz

Read 'Designing for the Digital Age' by Kim Goodwin

Show steps

Gain a deeper understanding of human-centered design principles and practices.

View Designing for the Digital Age: How to Create... on Amazon

Show steps

Read the book
Take notes on key concepts
Complete the discussion questions at the end of each chapter

Conduct empathy interviews

Show steps

Develop your skills in conducting empathy interviews to gather valuable insights.

Browse courses on User Research

Show steps

Identify potential interviewees
Prepare interview questions
Conduct the interviews
Analyze the data

Four other activities

Expand to see all activities and additional details

Show all seven activities

Develop a persona

Show steps

Create a persona to represent the target users of your design project.

Browse courses on Personas

Show steps

Gather data from empathy interviews
Identify common patterns and trends
Develop a persona

Start working on a design project

Show steps

Apply the human-centered design process to a real-world design project.

Show steps

Identify a problem to solve
Conduct user research
Generate ideas
Develop a prototype
Test the prototype

Attend a design conference

Show steps

Network with professionals in the field of human-centered design.

Show steps

Research upcoming design conferences
Register for a conference
Attend the conference

Mentor a junior designer

Show steps

Share your knowledge and experience with others to reinforce your own understanding.

Show steps

Find a junior designer to mentor
Set up a regular meeting time
Provide guidance and support

Career center

Learners who complete Human-Centered Design for Inclusive Innovation will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Product Designer

Product Designers use human-centered design to create products that are both useful and usable. This course can help you develop the skills you need to be a successful Product Designer, including empathy, reframing, ideation, prototyping, and testing. You will also learn how to apply an intersectional gender lens to your work, which will help you create products that are inclusive and equitable.

See salaries and explore the career path for Product Designer

Service Designer

Service Designers use human-centered design to create services that are both effective and efficient. This course can help you develop the skills you need to be a successful Service Designer, including empathy, reframing, ideation, prototyping, and testing. You will also learn how to apply an intersectional gender lens to your work, which will help you create services that are inclusive and equitable.

See salaries and explore the career path for Service Designer

UX Designer

UX Designers use human-centered design to create user experiences that are both positive and efficient. This course can help you develop the skills you need to be a successful UX Designer, including empathy, reframing, ideation, prototyping, and testing. You will also learn how to apply an intersectional gender lens to your work, which will help you create user experiences that are inclusive and equitable.

See salaries and explore the career path for UX Designer

Product Manager

Product Managers use human-centered design to develop and manage products. This course can help you develop the skills you need to be a successful Product Manager, including empathy, reframing, ideation, prototyping, and testing. You will also learn how to apply an intersectional gender lens to your work, which will help you create products that are inclusive and equitable.

See salaries and explore the career path for Product Manager

User Researcher

User Researchers use human-centered design to conduct research on users and their needs. This course can help you develop the skills you need to be a successful User Researcher, including empathy, reframing, ideation, prototyping, and testing. You will also learn how to apply an intersectional gender lens to your work, which will help you conduct research that is inclusive and equitable.

See salaries and explore the career path for User Researcher

Innovation Consultant

Innovation Consultants use human-centered design to help organizations develop and implement innovative solutions. This course can help you develop the skills you need to be a successful Innovation Consultant, including empathy, reframing, ideation, prototyping, and testing. You will also learn how to apply an intersectional gender lens to your work, which will help you create solutions that are inclusive and equitable.

See salaries and explore the career path for Innovation Consultant

Design Researcher

Design Researchers use human-centered design to conduct research on users and their needs. This course can help you develop the skills you need to be a successful Design Researcher, including empathy, reframing, ideation, prototyping, and testing. You will also learn how to apply an intersectional gender lens to your work, which will help you conduct research that is inclusive and equitable.

See salaries and explore the career path for Design Researcher

Policy Analyst

Policy Analysts use human-centered design to develop and implement policies that are effective and efficient. This course can help you develop the skills you need to be a successful Policy Analyst, including empathy, reframing, ideation, prototyping, and testing. You will also learn how to apply an intersectional gender lens to your work, which will help you create policies that are inclusive and equitable.

See salaries and explore the career path for Policy Analyst

Project Manager

Project Managers use human-centered design to develop and manage projects. This course can help you develop the skills you need to be a successful Project Manager, including empathy, reframing, ideation, prototyping, and testing. You will also learn how to apply an intersectional gender lens to your work, which will help you create projects that are inclusive and equitable.

See salaries and explore the career path for Project Manager

Program Manager

Program Managers use human-centered design to develop and manage programs. This course can help you develop the skills you need to be a successful Program Manager, including empathy, reframing, ideation, prototyping, and testing. You will also learn how to apply an intersectional gender lens to your work, which will help you create programs that are inclusive and equitable.

See salaries and explore the career path for Program Manager

Health Care Administrator

Health Care Administrators use human-centered design to improve the quality and efficiency of health care services. This course can help you develop the skills you need to be a successful Health Care Administrator, including empathy, reframing, ideation, prototyping, and testing. You will also learn how to apply an intersectional gender lens to your work, which will help you create solutions that are inclusive and equitable.

See salaries and explore the career path for Health Care Administrator

Social Worker

Social Workers use human-centered design to help people overcome challenges and achieve their goals. This course can help you develop the skills you need to be a successful Social Worker, including empathy, reframing, ideation, prototyping, and testing. You will also learn how to apply an intersectional gender lens to your work, which will help you create solutions that are inclusive and equitable.

See salaries and explore the career path for Social Worker

Teacher

Teachers use human-centered design to create learning experiences that are engaging and effective. This course can help you develop the skills you need to be a successful Teacher, including empathy, reframing, ideation, prototyping, and testing. You will also learn how to apply an intersectional gender lens to your work, which will help you create learning experiences that are inclusive and equitable.

See salaries and explore the career path for Teacher

Community Organizer

Community Organizers use human-centered design to engage with communities and develop solutions to their problems. This course can help you develop the skills you need to be a successful Community Organizer, including empathy, reframing, ideation, prototyping, and testing. You will also learn how to apply an intersectional gender lens to your work, which will help you create solutions that are inclusive and equitable.

See salaries and explore the career path for Community Organizer

Nonprofit Manager

Nonprofit Managers use human-centered design to lead and manage nonprofit organizations. This course can help you develop the skills you need to be a successful Nonprofit Manager, including empathy, reframing, ideation, prototyping, and testing. You will also learn how to apply an intersectional gender lens to your work, which will help you create solutions that are inclusive and equitable.

See salaries and explore the career path for Nonprofit Manager