What topics are typically covered in design thinking courses?

Design thinking courses cover a variety of topics essential for understanding and applying the design thinking methodology to solve complex problems creatively . These include the basics of design thinking principles, the five stages of design thinking (empathize, define, ideate, prototype, and test), and user-centered design. Learners will explore topics such as brainstorming techniques, prototyping methods , and user testing . Advanced courses might cover areas like design research, advanced prototyping tools, and integrating design thinking into organizational processes. Practical exercises and projects help learners apply these concepts to real-world scenarios, enhancing their ability to innovate and create user-centered solutions.

How can I choose the right design thinking course for my career goals?

Choosing the right design thinking course depends on your current skill level and career aspirations. Beginners should look for courses that cover the basics of design thinking, including an overview of its principles, stages, and fundamental techniques. Those with some experience might benefit from intermediate courses focusing on advanced ideation methods, user research techniques, and more sophisticated prototyping tools. Advanced learners or professionals seeking specialized knowledge might consider courses on integrating design thinking into business strategy, facilitating design thinking workshops, or preparing for certifications like a Design Thinking Certificate. Reviewing course content, instructor expertise, and learner feedback can help ensure the course aligns with your goals.

What career opportunities can I pursue with a certificate in design thinking?

A certificate in design thinking can open up various career opportunities across multiple industries. Common roles include UX/UI designer , product manager , innovation consultant, and design thinking facilitator. These positions involve applying design thinking methodologies to develop innovative products, improve user experiences, and solve complex problems creatively. With the increasing emphasis on user-centered design and innovation in business processes, earning a certificate in design thinking can significantly enhance your career prospects and opportunities for advancement in fields such as technology, healthcare, education, and consulting.

Top Design Thinking Courses - Learn Design Thinking Online

Explore the Design Thinking Course Catalog

Microsoft
Fundamentals of UI/UX Design
Skills you'll gain: Design Thinking, User Experience Design, User Experience, User Interface and User Experience (UI/UX) Design, Human Centered Design, Wireframing, Prototyping, Usability Testing, User Research
4.7
Rating, 4.7 out of 5 stars
310 reviews
Mixed · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
IE Business School
Making Architecture
Skills you'll gain: Architectural Design, Storytelling, Creativity, Design Thinking, Design Elements And Principles, Photography, Design
4.8
Rating, 4.8 out of 5 stars
1.4K reviews
Beginner · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
California Institute of the Arts
Introduction to Game Design
Skills you'll gain: Game Design, Storytelling, Design, Design Elements And Principles, Creativity, Peer Review
4.7
Rating, 4.7 out of 5 stars
2.9K reviews
Beginner · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
University of Michigan
Problem Solving Using Computational Thinking
Skills you'll gain: Computational Thinking, Programming Principles, Computer Science, Disaster Recovery, Algorithms, Design Thinking, Simulations
4.6
Rating, 4.6 out of 5 stars
1.3K reviews
Beginner · Course · 1 - 3 Months
IBM
Applied Software Engineering Fundamentals
Skills you'll gain: Software Development Life Cycle, Software Architecture, Linux Commands, Unit Testing, Bash (Scripting Language), Shell Script, Git (Version Control System), GitHub, Software Design, Version Control, File Management, Jupyter, Scrum (Software Development), Application Deployment, Collaborative Software, Automation, Flask (Web Framework), Web Scraping, Python Programming, Software Testing
4.6
Rating, 4.6 out of 5 stars
47K reviews
Beginner · Specialization · 3 - 6 Months
University of California, Davis
Critical Thinking Skills for the Professional
Skills you'll gain: Problem Solving, Brainstorming, Critical Thinking, Creative Thinking, Constructive Feedback, Decision Making, Analysis, Cognitive flexibility, Self-Awareness, Collaboration
4.8
Rating, 4.8 out of 5 stars
1.1K reviews
Beginner · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
Instructional Design Foundations and Applications
Skills you'll gain: Instructional and Curriculum Design, Needs Assessment, Instructional Design, Learning Theory, Diversity and Inclusion, Education and Training, Talent Management, Systems Analysis, Job Analysis, Analysis
4
Rating, 4 out of 5 stars
770 reviews
Mixed · Course · 1 - 3 Months
University of Michigan
Web Design for Everybody: Basics of Web Development & Coding
Skills you'll gain: Wireframing, Responsive Web Design, HTML and CSS, Web Content Accessibility Guidelines, Cascading Style Sheets (CSS), Web Design, Hypertext Markup Language (HTML), Browser Compatibility, Bootstrap (Front-End Framework), Javascript, Front-End Web Development, User Interface (UI), Web Development Tools, Verification And Validation, Interactive Design, Application Frameworks, Code Review, Web Design and Development, Event-Driven Programming, Usability
4.7
Rating, 4.7 out of 5 stars
35K reviews
Beginner · Specialization · 3 - 6 Months
Deep Teaching Solutions
Critical Thinking: A Brain-Based Guide for the ChatGPT Era
Skills you'll gain: Deductive Reasoning, Cognitive flexibility, Logical Reasoning, Critical Thinking, Curiosity, Decision Making, Problem Solving, Analytical Skills, Emotional Intelligence, Creative Thinking, Open Mindset, Complex Problem Solving, Independent Thinking, Strategic Thinking, Lifelong Learning, ChatGPT, Innovation, Systems Thinking, Social Sciences, Behavioral Economics
4.8
Rating, 4.8 out of 5 stars
92 reviews
Beginner · Specialization · 1 - 3 Months
University of Alberta
Design Patterns
Skills you'll gain: Model View Controller, Software Design Patterns, Software Design, Unified Modeling Language, Object Oriented Design, Code Review, Software Architecture, Programming Principles, Maintainability, Software Technical Review, Java, Object Oriented Programming (OOP), Android Development
4.7
Rating, 4.7 out of 5 stars
1.4K reviews
Intermediate · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
University of California San Diego
Design Thinking and Predictive Analytics for Data Products
Skills you'll gain: Supervised Learning, Feature Engineering, Predictive Modeling, Data Manipulation, Applied Machine Learning, Design Thinking, Advanced Analytics, Machine Learning Algorithms, Scikit Learn (Machine Learning Library), Data Science, Data Cleansing, Classification And Regression Tree (CART), Regression Analysis, Data Processing, Tensorflow, Statistical Methods
4.5
Rating, 4.5 out of 5 stars
65 reviews
Intermediate · Course · 1 - 3 Months
University of Alberta
Object-Oriented Design
Skills you'll gain: Object Oriented Design, Unified Modeling Language, Software Design, Object Oriented Programming (OOP), Java, Maintainability, Software Architecture, Android Development, Technical Design, Conceptual Design
4.7
Rating, 4.7 out of 5 stars
2.4K reviews
Intermediate · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks