Photo credit: www.classcentral.com
During my college years, I was a regular reader of Steve Blank’s blog. His insights led me to discover the Business Model Canvas (BMC) developed by Alexander Osterwalder, a remarkable framework for exploring business innovation opportunities. Captivated by the BMC approach, I even created my own version and displayed it prominently in my room for daily motivation.
As time passed and I embarked on the journey of entrepreneurship, I encountered the book “Lean Startup.” This work illuminated the significant role of Lean Manufacturing principles within the startup and technology sectors. Now over a decade later, I continuously draw from these profound methodologies to inform my projects.
In a landscape where disruptive technologies and cutting-edge ideas prevail, the integration of creativity with data is essential for making informed decisions. This understanding has prompted us to compile an exceptional list of Design Thinking courses designed for various experience levels. From tech innovations to cultivating gender inclusivity and applying IoT (Internet of Things), our recommendations span a variety of sectors.
For more information, explore the shortcuts provided:
Our Top Picks
Statistics
All courses are free or free-to-audit, except for one.
The Design Thinking field has garnered attention from 102,000 learners on Class Central.
Coursera is the most featured provider with six available courses.
Start your journey with the course Design Thinking for Innovation from the University of Virginia. This free-to-audit offering is ideal for managers, entrepreneurs, and teachers seeking to nurture an innovative culture in their environments. Developed at the Darden School of Business and led by the distinguished Jeanne Liedtka, a professor and acclaimed author, this course introduces design thinking as a method for effective problem-solving.
The course covers key aspects of design thinking, explaining its definition and advantages over traditional approaches. Through practical case studies that showcase successful innovation strategies, learners can observe how design thinking tools are effectively applied.
What you will learn includes:
– The core principles of design thinking and its effectiveness for fostering innovation
– The importance of mindset in identifying and harnessing opportunities
– Essential design thinking tools: Visualization and Storytelling for ideation
– Real-world examples, such as The Good Kitchen and IBM
– Skills for generating, testing, and executing innovative concepts.
If you appreciate this course and its instructor, consider other options:
“This course provided a solid introduction to Design Thinking […] I recognized the necessity of finding a workplace culture wherein I can flourish and learn from my successes and failures – the key to fostering innovation.” – Kai
Provider: Coursera
University: University of Virginia
Instructor: Jeanne M. Liedtka
Time Commitment: 6-7 hours
Enrollment: 452K
Rating: 4.7 (9K)
Cost: Free to audit
Quizzes/Assessment Items: 1 quiz
Certificate: Paid
Another invaluable resource is The World of Design Thinking, which offers a systematic approach to tackling complex problems. This concise, free course is tailored for those looking for an introduction to Design Thinking principles and practices. In just over 3 hours, it conveys essential insights and methods for addressing complex challenges through a human-centered framework.
Key learning points include:
– The principles of Design Thinking in relation to complex problem-solving
– Key procedural steps such as Needfinding, Synthesis, and Ideation
– Practical skills regarding Prototyping and Testing
– Techniques for managing agile, human-centered design projects effectively.
“This is an excellent introductory course on Design Thinking. At first glance, the short duration may seem limiting, but it delves into detailed content. There are links to insightful articles that should be thoroughly reviewed before proceeding. Overall, a commendable course.” – Dayal Saran M., Udemy learner.
Provider: Udemy
Instructor: Falk Uebernickel
Time Commitment: 3 hours
Enrollment: 26K
Rating: 4.4 (2K)
Cost: Free
Quizzes/Assessment Items: None
Certificate: None
Another essential course, Design-Led Strategy: Design Thinking for Business Strategy and Entrepreneurship from The University of Sydney, focuses on translating innovative ideas into tangible outcomes by navigating organizational challenges. This free-to-audit course serves as a foundational resource for managers and entrepreneurs venturing into design-led innovation, offering insights into both the Business Model Canvas and Design Thinking.
What participants will gain includes:
– Knowledge of design-led strategy essentials and applications
– Skills in primary market research and developing problem statements
– Prototyping and product ideation techniques for minimum viable products
– Real-world case studies exemplifying the implementation of design strategies by entities like UBank and Swiss Re
– Methods for applying design-led strategies in both startups and larger businesses.
“The course adeptly teaches design thinking and strategy fundamentals. It encourages thoughtful engagement and includes excellent reading resources to enhance your understanding of the basics, fueling my passion for design thinking.” – Komal B, Coursera learner.
Provider: Coursera
Institution: The University of Sydney
Instructor: Eric Knight
Time Commitment: 20 hours
Enrollment: 82K
Rating: 4.6 (1K)
Cost: Free to audit
Quizzes/Assessment Items: 10 quizzes
Certificate: Paid
For anyone aiming to integrate innovative technologies into user-centered solutions, consider the course Innovation and Emerging Technology: Be Disruptive from Macquarie University. This free-to-audit course empowers learners to incorporate Design Thinking principles into tech-oriented strategies, emphasizing the significance of emerging technologies in promoting innovation.
What learners will discover includes:
– Insights regarding disruptive technologies and their potential for transformative impact
– Tools for strategic assessment and analysis within an innovation-centric environment
– A comprehensive view of business models and digital platform relevance
– An introduction to Design Thinking and its role in technology-led innovation.
“The course is well-structured and comprehensive, providing beneficial insights about disruption. Kudos to Dr. Mauricio Marrone for an engaging experience.” – vignaux, Coursera learner.
Provider: Coursera
University: Macquarie University
Instructor: Mauricio Marrone
Time Commitment: 17 hours
Enrollment: 23K
Rating: 4.8 (447)
Cost: Free to audit
Quizzes/Assessment Items: 10 quizzes
Certificate: Paid
EIT Digital’s course titled Innovation & Entrepreneurship – From Design Thinking to Funding is crucial for anyone interested in understanding the business dynamics that fuel successful Silicon Valley startups. This course covers a wide array of essential elements, from funding sources to effective pitching strategies.
Participants will learn about:
– Silicon Valley frameworks for startup advancement
– The importance of Design Thinking in developing user-centered offerings
– The stages of the innovation cycle and their contribution to startup progression
– Understanding business models and customer discovery in achieving product-market fit
– Practical advice on obtaining funding for new ventures.
“This is one of the most insightful Design Thinking courses available. The instructors are distinguished in their fields, and the content effectively conveys the design thinking process for addressing creative issues. I thoroughly enjoyed it.” – Joe M, Coursera learner.
Provider: Coursera
Part of: Value Creation Through Innovation Specialization
Institution: EIT Digital
Instructors: Mark Coopersmith, Frans Nauta, Andrew Isaacs, Martin Vendel, and Clark Kellogg
Time Commitment: 12 hours
Enrollment: 14.7K
Rating: 4.7 (149)
Cost: Free to audit
Quizzes/Assessment Items: 7 quizzes
Certificate: Paid
One notable course from the Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST) is Design Thinking and Global Startup, which effectively merges Design Thinking with Lean Startup methodologies—ideal for those in technical fields. This free-to-audit course caters to engineers and professionals in the tech and manufacturing industries eager to explore the global startup landscape.
It provides insights into the Stanford Design Thinking process, emphasizing the crucial Prototype and Test phases necessary for developing customer-focused products. Additionally, it examines advanced methodologies pertaining to the 4th Industrial Revolution, including AI, Big Data, and 3D Printing.
What you will learn includes:
– Understanding the Stanford Design Thinking process in startup contexts
– Utilizing advanced technologies for prototyping and testing
– Essential tools for aspiring founders, like the one-liner pitch and lean canvas
– Insight into global startup strategies.
“I found the course on design thinking and startups immensely beneficial. It offers a thorough understanding of launching businesses and product development, covering all key concepts.” – Devina P., Coursera learner.
Provider: Coursera
Institution: KAIST
Instructor: Yoon Yong Jin
Time Commitment: 7-8 hours
Enrollment: 9K
Rating: 4.6 (129)
Cost: Free to audit
Quizzes/Assessment Items: 6 quizzes
Certificate: Paid
If your goal is to design inclusive products, services, processes, and policies, consider the course Human-Centered Design for Inclusive Innovation offered by the University of Toronto. This free-to-audit course specifically focuses on inclusivity, with an emphasis on Gender Analytics.
This program integrates gender considerations at every stage of the design process—from empathizing and ideating to prototyping and testing—ensuring that solutions address diverse user experiences and needs.
Key learning points include:
– The integration of gender analytics within human-centered design practices
– Empathy-driven research methods tailored for varied user demographics
– Applying inclusive perspectives throughout ideation, prototyping, and testing
– Skills in identifying problems and co-creating with diverse stakeholders.
“I’ve taken many courses on Coursera, but this one stands out as the most practical and valuable. The resources provided are things I will use throughout my career, and I’ve already applied lessons learned in my professional endeavors.” – Laura E S, Coursera learner.
The course Design Thinking: Lead and Innovate Successful Projects caters to creative professionals eager to enhance their project processes. Designed for individuals who work closely with clients and teams, this class offers an in-depth exploration of Design Thinking, taught by award-winning Design Thinker and Innovation Consultant Lisa Weinsberger.
This course encompasses all phases of Design Thinking, from understanding customer needs through to prototyping, testing, and solution evaluation. Central to its approach is a focus on human-centered strategies, ensuring that design is not merely about solving problems but also about actively engaging with users’ experiences.
Key takeaways include:
– Mastery of the five Design Thinking phases for innovative project delivery
– Techniques for fostering customer empathy and precise problem definition
– Methods for brainstorming, prototyping, and gathering meaningful user feedback
– Strategies for excellence in design and leading innovative initiatives
– Practical components, including interviews, empathy mapping, and user testing.
“I utilized this course to supplement my university studies and found the instruction to be insightful and engaging.” – assadjan87, Domestika learner.
Provider: Domestika
Instructor: Lisa Weinsberger
Time Commitment: 2-3 hours
Enrollment: 4K
Rating: 100% (97)
Cost: Paid
Quizzes/Assessment Items: 17 lessons & 21 downloads
Certificate: Paid
Lastly, if you’re interested in incorporating IoT (Internet of Things) with Design Thinking applications, the course IoT Systems and Industrial Applications with Design Thinking from the École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne is tailored for you. This free-to-audit offering suits learners keen to grasp IoT fundamentals while exploring its transformative potential across industries.
The course starts with IoT basics, accessible to those without a technical background, and advances into detailed explorations of specific areas such as IoT components, Edge AI sensors, communication, and cloud infrastructures.
What you’ll learn includes:
– Basic principles of IoT technologies and their industrial relevance
– Strategies for integrating Design Thinking into IoT system optimization
– Insights into developing viable business models and value propositions for IoT projects
– Contexts surrounding Edge Machine Learning and IoT security.
Provider: edX
Institution: École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne
Instructors: David Atienza, Bettina Buechel, and Amir Aminifar
Time Commitment: 21-28 hours
Cost: Free to audit
Quizzes/Assessment Items: Yes
Certificate: Paid
Trustworthiness of Our Recommendations
Class Central, likened to a Tripadvisor for online education, has been instrumental in guiding over 100 million learners in finding suitable courses. For more than ten years, we have diligently curated a catalogue comprising 250,000 online courses alongside user-generated reviews. Our team members are not just observers; collectively, we’ve enrolled in over 400 online courses, including degree programs.
Our Selection Methodology
Navigating the landscape of online courses can be challenging, even for seasoned learners. Here’s how we determined the courses to recommend.
Initially, I explored Class Central’s vast catalog and conducted additional research to find both free and paid courses, including those offering certificates. Enrolling in an institution is not a prerequisite for learning about design thinking effectively.
While evaluating courses, I focused on these criteria:
– Established Institutions: Prioritized recognized institutions in the design thinking domain
– Instructor Qualifications: Selected instructors known for their expertise and engaging teaching styles
– Popularity Metrics: Reviewed enrollment numbers and views to identify trending courses
– Comprehensive Course Content: Assessed a range of topics, covering both fundamental and advanced concepts, and watched samples from untested courses
– Learner Feedback: Analyzed learner reviews to gauge the quality of each course, leveraging Class Central’s extensive database of feedback and ratings from users.
The final recommendations reflect a diverse range of sub-fields within design thinking. My blend of analytical data with personal insights aims to ensure that these selections provide a reliable pathway for anyone looking to deepen their understanding of design thinking.
Source
www.classcentral.com