Design Thinking

Aalto University via Aalto University Executive Education

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Design Thinking, Impactful Innovation through Design, is an easy access way to get a concise overview of Design Thinking. Learn the human-centric process of Design Thinking and acquire tools for all its phases. The main characteristic of Design Thinking as an approach to innovation is its deep understanding of the stakeholders.  It focuses on research of the customer, citizen or user and her context, needs, goals, and aspirations. Design Thinking means early prototyping and iterative testing of potential solutions by employing a practical methodology and process.  This way, important decisions can be made early in the development process. This saves resources towards the end of the process where changes are very expensive to make. Design Thinking can be employed in developing products, services, processes, business models, and strategies. 

Syllabus

Learning Outcomes

After completing the course, you will:

Explain how design thinking and co-design approaches are utilised and affect the service development and innovation process.
Leverage design research methods to capture relevant and actionable insights to frame challenges targeting problems worth solving.
Leverage design ideation methods to challenge self-imposed constraints and push boundaries to develop novel and effective solution ideas.
Initiate advancing solution ideas and designerly ways of working in their organisation.
Involve customers and stakeholders in the co-design and rapid prototyping process for learning early in the process.

Content and Schedule

This online course comprises seven modules with 3-4 videos each. It also includes a workbook that you can either print out or use on the Mural platform. The duration of each video is about 5 minutes, altogether there is about 90 minutes. After each video, there is a brief knowledge check. We recommend that you stop after each video to reflect and consider how the lessons learned can be related to your own context. To enhance learning, employ the workbook for a challenge in your own organization. Here you can work together with a colleague or your team to get the best results. Additionally, you may like to explore the curated list of recommended readings.

Please note that the online course license is valid for three months from the date of purchase.

Module 1: Preparing

Theory. Introducing Design Thinking: A Human-Centered Approach to Innovation
Inspiration. How Design Thinking Saved IBM Millions and Boosted Employee Morale
Inspiration. How Fairphone Redefined Success by Focusing on Unmet Stakeholder Needs
Application. Mapping Stakeholders

Module 2: Understanding the Issue Context and Stakeholders

Theory. Why Deep User Understanding to Challenge Predispositions is Key
Inspiration. How General Electric Empathised with Extreme Users to Create a Child-Friendly MRI Experience
Inspiration. How Golden Gate Regional Center’s User Journeys Supported Improving Siloed Systems and Fractured Support
Application. Engaging Stakeholders and Making Sense of Their Stories

Module 3: Framing Design Challenges

Theory. Why Problem Framing Matters to Challenge Assumed Universal Clarity and Understanding
Inspiration. How Rethinking the Underlying Motivation Led to Safer Accident and Emergency Experiences
Inspiration. How Reframing the Challenge Led to a Secure and Authentic Sydney Opera House
Application. Crafting Design Challenges Incorporating Underlying Motivations

Module 4: Ideating an Abundance of Solution Directions

Theory. Unleashing Creativity by Challenging Normative Constraints and Pushing Boundaries
Inspiration. How Jalo Helsinki Reimagined the Smoke Alarm by Challenging a Stubborn Assumption
Inspiration. How Reframing the Challenge Led to a Secure and Authentic Sydney Opera House
Application. Crafting Design Challenges Incorporating Underlying Motivations

Module 5: Prototyping for a Solution Idea Direction

Focused Learning on Desirability through Prototyping
Inspiration. How an IDEO Designer’s Rough Prototype Created Immediate Clarity
Inspiration. Exploring Several Forms of Prototypes
Application. Uncovering Hidden Assumptions to Prototype through Storyboarding

Module 6: Testing Form, Function, or Use Context

Theory. Testing Assumptions to Inform Next Iterations
Inspiration. How James Dyson kept Prototyping and Iterating
Application. Conducting Meaningful Prototype Testing and Iterating

Module 7: Proceeding

Theory. Building Buy-In for Solution Ideas and Taking Action in Organizations
Inspiration. Cultivating Creativity in Organisations
Application. Engaging Stakeholders in Design Thinking Initiatives through Storytelling

For Whom?

This course is great for anyone who wants to get a coherent understanding of Design Thinking as an approach, a process and set of practical tools. People involved with developing products, services, processes, business models or strategies will benefit from this course.

You may be accountable for getting measurable results through a systematic process and thus want to be able to use the lessons learned immediately in your organization. Maybe you are working in managing or developing products or services, in marketing, business development, sales and customer relations, or in HR.