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Jeanne M. Liedtka
Today innovation is everyone's business. Whether you are a manager in a global corporation, an entrepreneur starting up, in a government role, or a teacher in an elementary school, everyone is expected to get lean – to do better with less. And that is why we all need design thinking. At every level in every kind of organization, design thinking provides the tools you need to become an innovative thinker and uncover creative opportunities that are there – you're just not seeing them yet.
Read more
Today innovation is everyone's business. Whether you are a manager in a global corporation, an entrepreneur starting up, in a government role, or a teacher in an elementary school, everyone is expected to get lean – to do better with less. And that is why we all need design thinking. At every level in every kind of organization, design thinking provides the tools you need to become an innovative thinker and uncover creative opportunities that are there – you're just not seeing them yet.
Read more
Today innovation is everyone's business. Whether you are a manager in a global corporation, an entrepreneur starting up, in a government role, or a teacher in an elementary school, everyone is expected to get lean – to do better with less. And that is why we all need design thinking. At every level in every kind of organization, design thinking provides the tools you need to become an innovative thinker and uncover creative opportunities that are there – you're just not seeing them yet.
In this course, developed at the Darden School of Business at the University of Virginia and taught by top-ranked faculty, we provide an overview of design thinking and work with a model containing four key questions and several tools to help you understand design thinking as a problem solving approach. We also look at several stories from different organizations that used design thinking to uncover compelling solutions.
Register for this course and see more details by visiting:
OpenCourser.com/course/tdz1ce/design
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What's inside
Syllabus
What Is Design Thinking?
Welcome to the course -- we're excited you're here! We will begin by unpacking what we mean by design thinking and why it is more effective than traditional methods when the goal is innovation. By looking at the case history of The Good Kitchen, a Denmark program for providing meals for the elderly, we will explore how the mindset and practice of the innovation team that partnered with innovation consultant Hatch & Bloom enabled them to achieve innovation and growth. We’ll also examine what kinds of challenges are best-suited for design thinking and learn about the Visualization tool, which helps bring ideas to life. By the end of this module, you'll have a better understanding of what we mean by design thinking, when to use it, and how to use the Visualization tool.
Read more
Syllabus
What Is Design Thinking?
Welcome to the course -- we're excited you're here! We will begin by unpacking what we mean by design thinking and why it is more effective than traditional methods when the goal is innovation. By looking at the case history of The Good Kitchen, a Denmark program for providing meals for the elderly, we will explore how the mindset and practice of the innovation team that partnered with innovation consultant Hatch & Bloom enabled them to achieve innovation and growth. We’ll also examine what kinds of challenges are best-suited for design thinking and learn about the Visualization tool, which helps bring ideas to life. By the end of this module, you'll have a better understanding of what we mean by design thinking, when to use it, and how to use the Visualization tool.
Read more
Traffic lights
Traffic lights
Read about what's good
what should give you pause and
possible dealbreakers
Emphasizes the significance of design thinking as an effective problem-solving mindset across various organizational levels and roles
Provides a standardized model with key questions and tools to guide the application of design thinking
Illustrates the practical application of design thinking with real-life examples from diverse industries
Stresses the importance of fostering a mindset receptive to innovation and opportunity
Covers the design thinking process step-by-step, from idea generation to experimentation
Involves a final assignment that requires the application of a design thinking tool, providing hands-on practice
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Reviews summary
Practical introduction to design thinking tools
According to learners, this course offers a positive and clear introduction to Design Thinking, providing a practical framework built around four key questions. Students appreciate the well-explained tools like Visualization, Mind Mapping, Storytelling, and Learning Launch, finding them actionable for professional use. The engaging and relevant case studies are frequently highlighted as bringing concepts to life. While many find the course well-structured and great for beginners, some more experienced learners note the content can be somewhat basic. A recurring point raised by reviewers is the inconsistency and varying quality within the peer review system for the final assignment, which some found frustrating.
Excellent starting point for newcomers.
"Overall, a great course for beginners."
"Fantastic course for anyone new to Design Thinking."
"It's a great starting point, but you'll likely need to explore other resources for deeper application."
Real-world examples bring concepts to life.
"I particularly liked the case studies; they really brought the concepts to life."
"The case studies were engaging and relevant."
"The case studies are inspiring."
"The case studies are good examples."
Course provides practical tools & a simple framework.
"This course is fantastic! It provides a clear, practical introduction to Design Thinking. The framework of the four questions is easy to grasp and apply."
"I feel equipped with actionable tools to apply Design Thinking in my professional context."
"Absolutely loved this course! It changed the way I approach problems. The four-question framework is brilliant. The tools are practical."
"It lays out the framework clearly. The storytelling and mindset modules were interesting."
Could be too introductory for experienced learners.
"Found this course somewhat basic. If you already have some background in innovation or creative problem-solving, much of this might feel like review."
"perhaps a bit light if you're not a complete beginner."
Quality of feedback varies in the peer review.
"My main minor gripe is with the peer review system for the final assignment - quality varies a lot."
"The peer review system for the final project was frustrating; some reviews were very shallow or seemed rushed."
"The peer review was helpful from some peers, but less so from others."
"the peer grading is a significant drawback. Some reviews were helpful, others clearly didn't understand the assignment."
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 for Innovation with these
activities:
Follow a guided tutorial on Design Thinking
Show steps
Get a step-by-step introduction to the world of design thinking.
Browse courses on
Design Thinking
Show steps
-
Search for a guided tutorial on Design Thinking
-
Follow the steps in the tutorial
-
Reflect on what you have learned
Review design thinking process
Show steps
Get up to speed with the foundational principles.
Browse courses on
Design Thinking
Show steps
-
Read the course introduction materials
-
Review the design thinking process
-
Try out the Visualization tool
Mind Mapping Ideas
Show steps
Learn to generate a greater quantity of ideas through mapping.
Browse courses on
Idea Generation
Show steps
-
Gather materials for a mind map
-
Learn the basics of mind mapping
-
Create a mind map of your own
Four other activities
Expand to see all activities and additional details
Show all seven activities
Attend a design thinking workshop or conference
Show steps
Connect with like-minded individuals and expand your knowledge.
Browse courses on
Design Thinking
Show steps
-
Find a design thinking workshop or conference that interests you
-
Register for the event
-
Attend the event and participate actively
Experimentation with Idea Testing
Show steps
Give your ideas a reality check with real-world feedback.
Browse courses on
Experimentation
Show steps
-
Read the module on Experimentation
-
Design an experiment to test an idea
-
Conduct the experiment
-
Analyze the results iterate
Review the book "Design Thinking for Innovation"
Show steps
Dive deep into the world of design thinking with a comprehensive book.
View
Creative Confidence: Unleashing the Creative...
on Amazon
Show steps
-
Get a copy of the book
-
Read the book carefully
-
Reflect on the key takeaways
Volunteer as a design thinking mentor
Show steps
Share your passion and knowledge with others who are interested in design thinking.
Show steps
-
Identify organizations that offer design thinking mentorship opportunities
-
Apply for a mentorship role
-
Prepare materials and resources for your mentees
-
Meet with your mentees regularly
Follow a guided tutorial on Design Thinking
Show steps
Get a step-by-step introduction to the world of design thinking.
Browse courses on
Design Thinking
Show steps
Show steps
Show steps
- Search for a guided tutorial on Design Thinking
- Follow the steps in the tutorial
- Reflect on what you have learned
Review design thinking process
Show steps
Get up to speed with the foundational principles.
Browse courses on
Design Thinking
Show steps
Show steps
Show steps
- Read the course introduction materials
- Review the design thinking process
- Try out the Visualization tool
Mind Mapping Ideas
Show steps
Learn to generate a greater quantity of ideas through mapping.
Browse courses on
Idea Generation
Show steps
Show steps
Show steps
- Gather materials for a mind map
- Learn the basics of mind mapping
- Create a mind map of your own
Four other activities
Expand to see all activities and additional details
Show all seven activities
Attend a design thinking workshop or conference
Show steps
Connect with like-minded individuals and expand your knowledge.
Browse courses on
Design Thinking
Show steps
Show steps
Show steps
- Find a design thinking workshop or conference that interests you
- Register for the event
- Attend the event and participate actively
Experimentation with Idea Testing
Show steps
Give your ideas a reality check with real-world feedback.
Browse courses on
Experimentation
Show steps
Show steps
Show steps
- Read the module on Experimentation
- Design an experiment to test an idea
- Conduct the experiment
- Analyze the results iterate
Review the book "Design Thinking for Innovation"
Show steps
Dive deep into the world of design thinking with a comprehensive book.
View
Creative Confidence: Unleashing the Creative...
on Amazon
Show steps
Show steps
Show steps
- Get a copy of the book
- Read the book carefully
- Reflect on the key takeaways
Volunteer as a design thinking mentor
Show steps
Share your passion and knowledge with others who are interested in design thinking.
Show steps
Show steps
Show steps
- Identify organizations that offer design thinking mentorship opportunities
- Apply for a mentorship role
- Prepare materials and resources for your mentees
- Meet with your mentees regularly
Career center
Learners who complete Design Thinking for Innovation will develop knowledge and skills
that may be useful to these careers:
Design Researcher
Design Researcher
A Design Researcher is responsible for conducting research to understand the needs of users. They use their knowledge of research methods and design thinking to generate insights that can be used to create innovative products and services. This course in Design Thinking for Innovation can help you develop the skills you need to succeed as a Design Researcher. It will teach you how to conduct research, analyze data, and generate insights.
Product Designer
Product Designer
A Product Designer is responsible for the design of products, from concept to production. They use their knowledge of design thinking and user experience to create products that are both useful and desirable. This course in Design Thinking for Innovation can help you develop the skills you need to succeed as a Product Designer. It will teach you how to generate innovative ideas, test them with users, and bring them to market.
Service Designer
Service Designer
A Service Designer is responsible for the design of services, from concept to delivery. They use their knowledge of design thinking and user experience to create services that are both effective and efficient. This course in Design Thinking for Innovation can help you develop the skills you need to succeed as a Service Designer. It will teach you how to identify opportunities for innovation, generate creative ideas, and test them with users.
User Experience Designer
User Experience Designer
A User Experience Designer is responsible for the design of the user experience for products and services. They use their knowledge of human-computer interaction and design thinking to create experiences that are both enjoyable and easy to use. This course in Design Thinking for Innovation can help you develop the skills you need to succeed as a User Experience Designer. It will teach you how to understand the needs of users, generate innovative ideas, and test them with users.
Interaction Designer
Interaction Designer
An Interaction Designer is responsible for the design of the interaction between users and products or services. They use their knowledge of human-computer interaction and design thinking to create interactions that are both intuitive and enjoyable. This course in Design Thinking for Innovation can help you develop the skills you need to succeed as an Interaction Designer. It will teach you how to understand the needs of users, generate innovative ideas, and test them with users.
Product Manager
Product Manager
A Product Manager is responsible for the development and management of products. They use their knowledge of product management and design thinking to create products that are both successful and meet the needs of users. This course in Design Thinking for Innovation can help you develop the skills you need to succeed as a Product Manager. It will teach you how to develop and manage products, and how to measure the impact of products.
Service Manager
Service Manager
A Service Manager is responsible for the development and management of services. They use their knowledge of service management and design thinking to create services that are both effective and meet the needs of users. This course in Design Thinking for Innovation can help you develop the skills you need to succeed as a Service Manager. It will teach you how to develop and manage services, and how to measure the impact of services.
Business Analyst
Business Analyst
A Business Analyst is responsible for analyzing business processes and recommending improvements. They use their knowledge of business analysis and design thinking to identify opportunities for innovation and growth. This course in Design Thinking for Innovation can help you develop the skills you need to succeed as a Business Analyst. It will teach you how to analyze business processes, identify opportunities for innovation, and recommend improvements.
Management Consultant
Management Consultant
A Management Consultant is responsible for providing advice and guidance to organizations on how to improve their performance. They use their knowledge of management consulting and design thinking to help organizations achieve their goals. This course in Design Thinking for Innovation can help you develop the skills you need to succeed as a Management Consultant. It will teach you how to provide advice and guidance to organizations, and how to measure the impact of your work.
Innovation Consultant
Innovation Consultant
An Innovation Consultant helps companies develop and implement strategies for innovation. They also frequently provide guidance on disruptive innovation, and may help a company's employees think like designers. This course in Design Thinking for Innovation can help you build a foundation for working with clients who may be unfamiliar with design thinking. It may also help you develop a better understanding of the mindset associated with innovation, which could lead to greater success with clients.
Entrepreneur
Entrepreneur
An Entrepreneur is responsible for starting and running their own business. They use their knowledge of entrepreneurship and design thinking to create products or services that meet the needs of customers. This course in Design Thinking for Innovation can help you develop the skills you need to succeed as an Entrepreneur. It will teach you how to start and run your own business, and how to measure the impact of your work.
Design Strategist
Design Strategist
A Design Strategist is responsible for developing and implementing design strategies for organizations. They use their knowledge of design thinking and business strategy to create strategies that can help organizations achieve their goals. This course in Design Thinking for Innovation can help you develop the skills you need to succeed as a Design Strategist. It will teach you how to develop and implement design strategies, and how to measure the impact of design.
Creative Director
Creative Director
A Creative Director is responsible for the creative vision of an organization. They use their knowledge of design thinking and creativity to develop and implement creative strategies that can help organizations achieve their goals. This course in Design Thinking for Innovation can help you develop the skills you need to succeed as a Creative Director. It will teach you how to develop and implement creative strategies, and how to measure the impact of creativity.
Innovation Manager
Innovation Manager
An Innovation Manager is responsible for managing innovation within an organization. They use their knowledge of design thinking and innovation management to create and implement innovation strategies that can help organizations achieve their goals. This course in Design Thinking for Innovation can help you develop the skills you need to succeed as an Innovation Manager. It will teach you how to develop and implement innovation strategies, and how to measure the impact of innovation.
Marketing Manager
Marketing Manager
A Marketing Manager is responsible for developing and implementing marketing strategies for organizations. They use their knowledge of marketing and design thinking to create strategies that can help organizations achieve their goals. This course in Design Thinking for Innovation can help you develop the skills you need to succeed as a Marketing Manager. It will teach you how to develop and implement marketing strategies, and how to measure the impact of marketing.
For more career information including salaries, visit:
OpenCourser.com/course/tdz1ce/design
Featured in The Course Notes
This course is mentioned in our blog,
The Course Notes. Read
one article that features
Design Thinking for Innovation:
To read more articles from OpenCourser, visit:
OpenCourser.com/notes
Reading list
We've selected 22 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 for Innovation.
Save
Provides a comprehensive overview of design thinking, its principles, and its applications in various fields. It would be a valuable resource for learners who want to delve deeper into the theory and practice of design thinking.
Explores the challenges that established companies face when they try to innovate. It provides insights into how to overcome these challenges and create successful new products and services.
Provides a practical framework for innovative thinking. It valuable resource for anyone who wants to learn how to generate new ideas and solve problems creatively.
This classic work by Christensen explores the challenges that established companies face in innovating and adapting to disruptive technologies. It provides valuable insights into the factors that can hinder innovation and offers strategies for overcoming them.
This practical guide to building successful startups emphasizes the importance of testing and iterating ideas quickly and efficiently. It introduces the concept of the “lean canvas” and provides a step-by-step approach for validating and developing new products and services.
Provides a practical guide to developing your creativity. It valuable resource for anyone who wants to learn how to think more creatively and solve problems more effectively.
Provides a structured framework for developing and refining value propositions that meet the needs of customers. It includes tools and templates for creating customer profiles, identifying pain points, and developing solutions that deliver value.
Save
This practical guide provides a step-by-step process for conducting design sprints, which are time-boxed workshops for rapidly prototyping and testing new ideas. It valuable resource for teams looking to accelerate their innovation process.
Save
Explores the role of design thinking in business innovation. It provides insights into how to use design thinking to create new products and services that meet the needs of customers.
This classic work by Norman explores the principles of human-centered design and the importance of understanding user needs and experiences. It provides valuable insights into how to create products and services that are intuitive, usable, and enjoyable.
Save
Emphasizes the importance of developing creative confidence and provides exercises and techniques for overcoming self-doubt and unlocking creativity. It valuable resource for individuals looking to enhance their innovation skills.
Collection of tools and templates developed by IDEO, one of the leading design firms in the world. It provides practical resources for applying design thinking principles to various challenges.
Save
Provides a comprehensive collection of design methods and tools that can be applied to various design challenges. It serves as a valuable reference for learners looking to expand their repertoire of design techniques.
Save
Explores the two systems of thinking: System 1, which is fast, intuitive, and emotional, and System 2, which is slow, deliberate, and rational. It provides insights into how our thinking biases and heuristics can influence our decision-making and innovation.
By the CEO of IDEO discusses the role of design thinking in driving organizational change. It provides case studies and examples of how design thinking can be used to solve complex problems and foster innovation.
Save
Explores the challenges of implementing design thinking in organizations. It provides insights into the barriers and facilitators to design thinking adoption and offers strategies for overcoming resistance to innovation.
Save
This academic textbook provides a comprehensive overview of design thinking, its principles, and its applications in various domains. It includes case studies, exercises, and discussion questions to facilitate learning.
Provides a practical guide to building a successful startup. It valuable resource for anyone who wants to learn how to start and grow a successful business.
Save
Provides a practical guide to developing good strategy. It valuable resource for anyone who wants to learn how to create a strategy that will help their organization achieve its goals.
Provides a practical guide to developing the skills of a disruptive innovator. It valuable resource for anyone who wants to learn how to create new products and services that will disrupt the market.
Provides a practical guide to using the lean product playbook to create successful products. It valuable resource for anyone who wants to learn how to develop products that meet the needs of customers.
Provides a practical guide to using the art of innovation to create successful products. It valuable resource for anyone who wants to learn how to think more creatively and solve problems more effectively.
For more information about how these books relate to this course, visit:
OpenCourser.com/course/tdz1ce/design
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Rating
4.7
Effort
Approx. 6 hours
Level
Introductory
Via
Coursera
Institution
University of Virginia
Instructor
Jeanne M. Liedtka
Language
English
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This course belongs to a
collection
called
Leading the Modern Day Business. It's comprised of three courses:
- Customer-Centric IT Strategy
- Design Thinking for Innovation (viewing)
- Digital Transformation
Featured in The Course Notes
Read
one article that features
this course,
Design Thinking for Innovation
from our blog, The Course Notes:
To read more articles from OpenCourser, visit:
OpenCourser.com/notes
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