Designing the Future of Work from Coursera

The workplace of tomorrow is an uncertain place. We live in a rapidly changing world, and design innovations such as artificial intelligence (AI), robotics, and big data are rapidly changing the fundamental nature of how we live and work. As these technologies continue to evolve at an exponential rate - it is becoming critical to understand their impact on contemporary work practices, and for businesses and employees to understand how to design a secure future amidst this disruption.

What new, disruptive technologies are on the horizon? How will jobs change? What challenges will employers and employees face? How can the design process help businesses and employees to create innovative solutions to overcome such challenges?

The course is a collaboration between UNSW Sydney Art & Design and AMP Amplify, AMP's innovation and ideas program. It brings together leading business and design thinking to help answer these questions, and investigates design strategies that businesses, employees and designers can adopt to find new opportunity in such a rapidly changing professional landscape.

WHAT WILL I LEARN?

The course provides you with a unique, authentic, and industry relevant learning opportunity. You will have access to current theory, industry examples and expert advice from leaders in the field. This course will help you to:

• Recognise how the integration of design approaches are shaping technology and business practices, and how these changes bring immense possibility and uncertainty to the future of work

• Analyse important skills and attributes that designers, employees, and businesses need to be successful in a speculative, technologically enhanced future

• Understand the importance of unique human attributes in increasingly automated workplaces

• Evaluate challenging issues related to potential change in processes, people and automation that might impact the future of your own employment or business

• Plot your own possible, probable, and preferable trajectories, and synthesise a design strategy to maximise your ability to adapt, grow, and realise opportunities in your own work future.

WHO WILL MY INSTRUCTORS BE?

You will learn effective design thinking strategies from leading UNSW Australia Art & Design academics. You will also examine case studies from business and service design perspectives that demonstrate how design can transform business processes to become more adaptive to and predictive of technological and social change, and this can help to capitalise on new opportunities. Direct from our industry partner AMP’s innovative Amplify program, you’ll hear personal insights and advice about how to develop attributes and skills that will give you an advantage in the workplace of the future, from the following business leaders, futurists, entrepreneurs, and innovators from around the world:

• Sean Brennan, Head of Design & Innovation, AMP

• Megan Dalla-Camina, Co-Founder/CEO, Lead Like a Woman - via Amplify

• Susan David Ph.D, CEO, Evidence Based Psychology - via Amplify

• Dr. Norman Lewis, Director, Futures-Diagnosis Ltd - via Amplify

• Heather McGowan, Author & Advisor, Work to Learn - via Amplify

• Ramez Naam, Exponential technologies, Machine learning, Artificial intelligence, Singularity University - via Amplify

• Dr. Andy Polaine, Regional Design Director, Asia-Pacific, Fjord

• Michael Schrage, Research Fellow, Innovation Thought Leader, MIT Sloan School's Center for Digital Business - via Amplify

• Chris Shipley, Curator, MIT Solve. via Amplify

• Sue Suckling, New Zealand Qualifications Authority, Chair of Callaghan Innovation, Chair of the New Zealand Qualifications Authority - via Amplify

• Professor Nick Wailes, Director, AGSM, and Deputy Dean, UNSW Business School. UNSW Sydney.

What's inside

Syllabus

What is the Future of Work?

This week we will explain the scope, focus and assessment of the course, and introduce you to your instructor and the industry experts who have contributed to the content. The trajectory of technological disruption in the workplace will also be discussed, as well as explaining what impact these changes may have on your own professional context. We will explore some practical frameworks to help you analyse and forecast possible work futures, and discuss the importance of embracing the challenges they present.

Traffic lights

Read about what's good

what should give you pause

and possible dealbreakers

Taught by Associate Professor Simon McIntyre, who is recognized for their work in design thinking

Develops skills in design thinking, which helps learners predict and devise strategies for an evolving workplace

Explores the use of design practices in business and service industry to enhance workplace adaptability and innovation

Features insights and advice from leaders in the design and business fields

Requires no prior knowledge or experience in design thinking

Could require additional time and effort to complete case studies and assignments

Reviews summary

Designing future work with strategic thinking

According to students, "Designing the Future of Work" is a thought-provoking course offering a strategic perspective on evolving workplaces. Learners praise its highly relevant content and the invaluable insights from expert interviews, which provide a broad overview of future trends. While the course excels at framing critical questions and challenging assumptions, some suggest it leans more towards conceptual understanding and strategic foresight rather than direct practical application or specific tools, making it better for those seeking a big-picture view of the professional landscape rather than hands-on skills.

Addresses critical, contemporary changes in the professional landscape.

"I found the content highly relevant and thought-provoking, especially on human attributes in automation."

"The course discusses current theory, industry examples, and expert advice for a rapidly changing world."

"It's critical to understand the impact of AI and robotics on work, and this course delivers on that."

Provides a high-level view and strategic framework for future work.

"This course truly opened my eyes to the design thinking approach for navigating future work challenges."

"Excellent for anyone looking for a big-picture view of how work is evolving. It frames the right questions."

"It helped me plot my own possible trajectories and synthesize a design strategy for adapting."

Features valuable contributions from diverse industry leaders.

"The expert interviews were invaluable, offering diverse perspectives on the future of work."

"I greatly appreciated hearing personal insights and advice from such a wide array of business leaders and futurists."

"Learning from leaders like Sean Brennan and Megan Dalla-Camina provided unique, industry-relevant context."

Some reviews noted variability in content flow and production quality.

"The course felt a little dated in some of its examples, and while the experts were great, the production quality sometimes varied."

"Some sections felt a bit like a series of interconnected interviews rather than a perfectly cohesive course structure."

"While generally well-produced, a few segments could benefit from more consistent editing or updates."

Focuses more on theory and concepts than direct, actionable tools.

"While the lectures were interesting, I felt it was a bit too theoretical at times, lacking practical applications."

"It's more about strategic foresight than concrete tools I could immediately apply in my job."

"I appreciate the focus on design strategies, but some parts felt like a high-level summary rather than a deep dive."

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 Designing the Future of Work with these activities:

Review an introduction to Design Thinking

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This activity will help you brush up on your knowledge of design thinking and ensure that you are prepared for the course.

Browse courses on UX Design

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Read an article or watch a video about Design thinking
Summarize the key concepts of Design thinking
Identify how Design thinking can be applied to your own work

Follow a tutorial on how to use design thinking tools

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This activity will help you develop practical skills in design thinking and ensure that you are prepared for the course.

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Find a tutorial on how to use a design thinking tool
Follow the tutorial and complete the exercises
Reflect on your experience using the tool

Complete practice exercises on design thinking

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This activity will help you practice applying design thinking principles and improve your skills.

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Find practice exercises on design thinking
Complete the exercises and reflect on your results
Identify areas where you need improvement

Five other activities

Expand to see all activities and additional details

Show all eight activities

Hold a brainstorming session with peers

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This activity will encourage you to think more deeply about the future of work and share ideas with your peers.

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Find a group of peers to brainstorm with
Choose a topic related to the future of work to discuss
Brainstorm ideas and share perspectives
Summarize the key points of the discussion

Create a vision board for your future career

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This activity will allow you to engage with the material you are learning about the future of work in a practical and meaningful way.

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Brainstorm your goals and aspirations for your future career
Gather images and quotes that represent your goals and aspirations
Create a physical or digital vision board
Reflect on your vision board and identify the steps you need to take to achieve your goals

Read "The Future of Work" by Darrell M. West

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This book will provide you with a comprehensive overview of the future of work and the impact of technology on the workplace, providing you with valuable insights and context for the course materials

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Read the book and take notes on key concepts
Summarize the main arguments of the book
Identify and discuss some implications for the role of humans in the workplace
Write a review of the book and post it online or share it with a friend

Develop a design thinking project

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This activity will give you an opportunity to utilize design thinking methodologies to create an innovative solution to a real-world problem.

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Identify a problem that you want to solve
Conduct user research to understand the problem
Generate and iterate on solutions to the problem
Develop a prototype and test it with users
Refine your solution based on user feedback

Mentor a peer on design thinking principles

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This activity will help you reinforce your understanding of design thinking by teaching it to others.

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Find a peer who is interested in learning about design thinking
Develop a plan for mentoring your peer
Meet with your peer regularly to discuss design thinking principles
Provide feedback and support to your peer

Career center

Learners who complete Designing the Future of Work will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Design Researcher

A Design Researcher studies how people interact with products and services to help businesses improve their user experience. This course can help you develop the skills you need to be a successful Design Researcher, including user research, prototyping, and testing. You will also learn about the latest trends in design thinking and how they are being used to create innovative products and services.

See salaries and explore the career path for Design Researcher

User Experience Designer

A User Experience Designer designs and evaluates the user experience of products and services. This course can help you develop the skills you need to be a successful User Experience Designer, including user research, prototyping, and testing. You will also learn about the latest trends in user experience design and how they are being used to create user-friendly products and services.

See salaries and explore the career path for User Experience Designer

Futurist

A Futurist studies possible future developments to help businesses and governments make informed decisions. This course can help you develop the skills you need to be a successful Futurist, including foresight, scenario planning, and strategic thinking. You will also learn about the latest trends in futurology and how they are being used to shape the future.

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Innovation Manager

An Innovation Manager leads and manages innovation initiatives for a company. This course can help you develop the skills you need to be a successful Innovation Manager, including idea generation, prototyping, and testing. You will also learn about the latest trends in innovation and how they are being used to create new products and services.

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Product Manager

A Product Manager oversees the development and launch of new products. This course can help you develop the skills you need to be a successful Product Manager, including product planning, market research, and customer feedback. You will also learn about the latest trends in product management and how they are being used to create successful products.

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Data Analyst

A Data Analyst collects, analyzes, and interprets data to help businesses make informed decisions. This course can help you develop the skills you need to be a successful Data Analyst, including data mining, statistical analysis, and visualization. You will also learn about the latest trends in data science and how they are being used to solve business problems.

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Strategy Consultant

A Strategy Consultant helps businesses develop and implement strategies to achieve their goals. This course can help you develop the skills you need to be a successful Strategy Consultant, including strategic thinking, problem-solving, and communication skills. You will also learn about the latest trends in strategy consulting and how they are being used to help businesses succeed.

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Management Consultant

A Management Consultant helps businesses improve their performance. This course can help you develop the skills you need to be a successful Management Consultant, including problem-solving, critical thinking, and communication skills. You will also learn about the latest trends in management consulting and how they are being used to help businesses succeed.

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Human Resources Manager

A Human Resources Manager oversees all aspects of human resources for a company. This course can help you develop the skills you need to be a successful Human Resources Manager, including recruiting, training, and employee relations. You will also learn about the latest trends in human resources and how they are being used to attract and retain top talent.

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Business Analyst

A Business Analyst helps businesses understand their needs and develop solutions to improve their operations. This course can help you develop the skills you need to be a successful Business Analyst, including problem-solving, critical thinking, and communication skills. You will also learn about the latest trends in technology and how they are impacting businesses.

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Program Manager

A Program Manager oversees the implementation of large-scale projects. This course can help you develop the skills you need to be a successful Program Manager, including project planning, budgeting, and risk management. You will also learn about the latest trends in program management and how they are being used to deliver successful projects.

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Project Manager

A Project Manager plans and executes projects. This course can help you develop the skills you need to be a successful Project Manager, including project planning, budgeting, and risk management. You will also learn about the latest trends in project management and how they are being used to deliver successful projects.

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Sales Manager

A Sales Manager leads and manages a sales team. This course can help you develop the skills you need to be a successful Sales Manager, including sales planning, forecasting, and customer relationship management. You will also learn about the latest trends in sales management and how they are being used to drive sales growth.

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Technical Writer

A Technical Writer creates and edits technical documentation. This course can help you develop the skills you need to be a successful Technical Writer, including technical writing, editing, and project management. You will also learn about the latest trends in technical writing and how they are being used to create clear and concise technical documentation.

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Entrepreneur

An Entrepreneur starts and runs their own business. This course can help you develop the skills you need to be a successful Entrepreneur, including business planning, marketing, and finance. You will also learn about the latest trends in entrepreneurship and how they are being used to create successful businesses.

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