Innovation Through Design: Think, Make, Break, Repeat from Coursera

The evolution of design has seen it become a discipline no longer limited to the concerns of a singular, specific domain and develop to become a pathway for solving complex, nonlinear problems. Design is becoming a capability-enhancing skill, equipping people with the ability to deal with uncertainty, complexity and failure.

In this course, we demonstrate how you can use design as a way of thinking to provide strategic and innovative advantage within your profession. Suitable for anyone who is curious about design and translating the processes and tools of design thinking into innovative opportunities, over 5 weeks we explore, apply and practice the design process: think, make, break and repeat.

Through introducing theoretical concepts and examining industry case studies with leading Australian design firms, we investigate design as learning about the context (the thinking part), building prototypes as tangible representations (the making part) and testing potential solutions (the breaking part). We build on this by showing the productive value of moving through the process quickly and often (the repeating part), to improve ideas and develop new insights.

Throughout the course, you will follow us through three of Australia’s most exciting design offices and learn from practicing designers and leaders in design. This insight into industry will enable you to develop a comprehensive understanding of design and the role it can and does play within the innovation landscape. You will leave this course with a set of practical tools and techniques to apply to situations within your own professional context, to translate problems into opportunities and solutions, and ultimately to innovate through design.

What's inside

Syllabus

Introducing design

This module introduces the concept of human-centred design and explores its role for innovation. We give a short introduction to design innovation and review the process that design innovation projects typically follow. The module also features interviews with industry experts about their views on what design innovation is and how it is applied in industry.

Design thinking

This module provides you with an understanding of the first step in any design innovation project, which we refer to as design thinking. We discuss its role in the human-centred design process and how it relates to innovation. The module will also examine some of the tools used to collect data about users and customers. Industry experts explain the role of this step and the methods they use through concrete case studies.

Design making

In this module, we look at the design making part of the process. In design making, user or customer data is turned into concepts, prototypes and minimum viable products, which can be used to gain initial feedback about ideas. Industry experts discuss the importance of ideation and prototyping in the design industry.

Design breaking

This module looks at the value of evaluating designs, referred to as the design breaking part of a design innovation process. We explain some methods for evaluating design solutions, introduce fundamental design principles and see how designers are applying these methods in industry design innovation projects.

Repeating design

This module focuses on the very important step in the design process of repeating, or iteration, and its role in design innovation. We also provide a summary of all the topics covered in the course and take you through the design process with a design research project. Industry experts share their insights and tips about working in the design industry.

Good to know

Know what's good

, what to watch for

, and possible dealbreakers

Explores the role of design in fostering innovation, catering to students curious about design and its application in various professional contexts

Emphasizes the iterative nature of design, encouraging students to repeat and refine their ideas for improved outcomes

Provides practical tools and techniques that students can apply to real-world situations to address problems and develop innovative solutions

Taught by industry experts, featuring interviews and case studies from leading Australian design firms, offering valuable insights into industry practices

Suitable for learners with varying backgrounds, fostering a diverse learning environment and encouraging cross-disciplinary collaboration

Requires no prior knowledge or experience in design, making it accessible to a wider audience seeking to enhance their problem-solving and innovation skills

Reviews summary

Ideas for innovative design

Learners say this course offers a concise introduction to design thinking and innovation. Based on reviews, key features include practical industry insights, a focus on human-centered design, and a structured approach to problem solving through the "Think, Make, Break, Repeat" framework. While some reviews expressed concerns regarding inconsistent peer grading, the majority of students found the course informative and relevant to both design professionals and those in non-design fields.

The course emphasizes understanding user needs and perspectives in design.

"The most important aspect for me was the human-centered focus, since design was always directed to the industrial design."

"Thank you for valuable course for such a trending and very needed topic for business in today's situation,"

Videos from industry experts provide real-world examples of design thinking in practice.

"I liked the course. It’s much better than I expected. Great content, clear explanations, easy flow and compelling."

"The course contents are excellent and leads to self changing mode towards Total Positivity..."

The course outlines a clear and actionable process for design innovation.

"This course is inspirational. It gives me new insights and help me understand design better. Thankyou."

"Great overview of the design innovation process! The content is up-to-date and the professors really go above and beyond to make the course feel like a regular university course as much as possible."

Some reviews expressed dissatisfaction with inconsistent or unfair peer grading.

"If peer grades are not fair - there is no button near review to escalate the issue"

"While the course content was really interesting and I would give the content itself a 5 star rating, the peer-review experience was horrible."

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 Innovation Through Design: Think, Make, Break, Repeat with these activities:

Read Design of Everyday Things

Show steps

Gain insights into the principles of human-centered design and how to create intuitive and functional products.

View Le design des objets du quotidien on Amazon

Show steps

Read the book thoroughly and take notes on key concepts.
Apply the principles to your own design projects and observe the impact.

Review basic design principles

Show steps

Brush up on the fundamentals of design to strengthen your foundation and enhance your comprehension of the course materials.

Browse courses on Color Theory

Show steps

Revise the elements and principles of design, such as color, shape, and composition.
Study examples of well-designed products or websites to analyze their visual appeal and functionality.

Explore UX design best practices

Show steps

Enhance your knowledge of UX design principles and methodologies to improve the user experience of your projects.

Show steps

Search for tutorials on UX design fundamentals, such as user research and prototyping.
Follow step-by-step guides to create user-centered designs.

Four other activities

Expand to see all activities and additional details

Show all seven activities

Solve design challenges using online platforms

Show steps

Test your design skills and knowledge by participating in online design challenges and receiving feedback on your solutions.

Show steps

Find online platforms that offer design challenges.
Select challenges that align with your interests and skill level.
Submit your solutions and seek feedback from the community.

Engage in design critique sessions

Show steps

Participate in regular critique sessions with peers to exchange feedback, refine your design ideas, and foster a collaborative learning environment.

Show steps

Find a group of peers with diverse design backgrounds.
Share your design work and provide constructive criticism to others.
Incorporate feedback into your own design process.

Write a blog post on design thinking

Show steps

Share your understanding of design thinking by creating a blog post that explains its process and benefits.

Show steps

Identify the key principles and steps of design thinking.
Provide examples of how design thinking is used in practice.
Publish your blog post and share it with others.

Create a design portfolio

Show steps

Develop a portfolio showcasing your design skills and creative process to demonstrate your learning and prepare for future opportunities.

Show steps

Identify your strengths and areas for improvement.
Compile your best design work, including sketches, prototypes, and final products.
Create a website or online platform to host your portfolio.

Career center

Learners who complete Innovation Through Design: Think, Make, Break, Repeat will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Product Designer

Product designers focus on all aspects of a product from its initial conception through the manufacturing process. They conceive, develop, design and test products.

See salaries and explore the career path for Product Designer

Service Designer

Service designers consider the needs and desires of the end users and business objectives. They bridge the gap between desirability, viability, and feasibility.

See salaries and explore the career path for Service Designer

Industrial Designer

Industrial designers combine art, engineering, and business acumen to design manufactured products, from concept to end-use.

See salaries and explore the career path for Industrial Designer

Graphic designer

Graphic designers create visual concepts, using computer software or by hand, to communicate ideas that inspire, inform, and captivate consumers.

See salaries and explore the career path for Graphic designer

Interaction Designer

Interaction designers are responsible for designing the way users interact with a product or website through visual interfaces and interactive elements.

See salaries and explore the career path for Interaction Designer

Design Engineer

Design Engineers use their knowledge of engineering and design principles to design and develop products.

See salaries and explore the career path for Design Engineer

UX Designer

UX Designers (User Experience Designers) are responsible for designing the user experience of a digital interface by creating a positive and efficient experience.

See salaries and explore the career path for UX Designer

Interior designer

Interior designers create functional and aesthetically pleasing interior spaces, taking into account factors such as color, lighting, and furniture.

See salaries and explore the career path for Interior designer

Architect

Architects design buildings and other physical structures, taking into account factors such as safety, functionality, aesthetics, and environmental impact.

See salaries and explore the career path for Architect

Landscape Architect

Landscape architects design and create outdoor spaces such as parks, gardens, and campuses.

See salaries and explore the career path for Landscape Architect

Fashion Designer

Fashion Designers sketch, design, and create clothing and accessories for consumers.

See salaries and explore the career path for Fashion Designer

Urban Planner

Urban planners create plans and programs to shape the future of cities, towns, and regions.

See salaries and explore the career path for Urban Planner

Marketing Manager

Marketing managers plan and execute marketing campaigns to promote products or services, and manage brand reputation.