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

Status: Free Trial
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
Mindware: Critical Thinking for the Information Age
Skills you'll gain: Data Analysis, Statistics, Analytical Skills, Experimentation, Critical Thinking, Research Design, Behavioral Economics, Decision Making, Regression Analysis, Probability, Correlation Analysis
4.8
Rating, 4.8 out of 5 stars
1.4K reviews
Beginner · Course · 1 - 3 Months
Status: Free Trial
University of Michigan
Programming for Everybody (Getting Started with Python)
Skills you'll gain: Programming Principles, Computer Programming, Python Programming, Scripting Languages, Scripting, Computational Thinking, Development Environment
4.8
Rating, 4.8 out of 5 stars
231K reviews
Beginner · Course · 1 - 3 Months
University of Michigan
Model Thinking
Skills you'll gain: Mathematical Modeling, Systems Thinking, Diversity and Inclusion, Game Theory, Innovation, Behavioral Economics, Analysis, Strategic Decision-Making, Social Studies, Decision Making, Network Analysis, Trend Analysis, Economics, Probability, Human Learning, Market Dynamics
4.8
Rating, 4.8 out of 5 stars
2.2K reviews
Intermediate · Course · 1 - 3 Months
Status: Free Trial
Multiple educators
Data Science Foundations
Skills you'll gain: Dashboard, Pseudocode, Jupyter, Algorithms, Data Literacy, Data Mining, Pandas (Python Package), Data Visualization Software, Correlation Analysis, Web Scraping, NumPy, Probability & Statistics, Predictive Modeling, Big Data, Computer Programming Tools, Automation, Data Collection, Data Science, Machine Learning Algorithms, Unsupervised Learning
4.6
Rating, 4.6 out of 5 stars
113K reviews
Beginner · Specialization · 3 - 6 Months
Status: Free Trial
University of Colorado Boulder
Graphic Design Elements for Non-Designers
Skills you'll gain: Logo Design, Color Theory, Design Elements And Principles, Graphic Design, Design, Typography, Visual Design, Color Matching, User Experience Design, Digital Design, Graphic and Visual Design, Graphics Software, Adobe InDesign, Graphic and Visual Design Software, Design Software, Photo Editing, Content Creation, Design Research, Information Architecture, Adobe Photoshop
4.7
Rating, 4.7 out of 5 stars
1.6K reviews
Beginner · Specialization · 3 - 6 Months
Status: Free Trial
University of Colorado Boulder
Graphic Design
Skills you'll gain: Graphic Design, Graphic and Visual Design, Graphic and Visual Design Software, Design, Visual Design, Typography, Adobe InDesign, Design Reviews, Adobe Photoshop, Design Elements And Principles, Peer Review, Color Theory, Editing, Creativity
4.8
Rating, 4.8 out of 5 stars
3.3K reviews
Beginner · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
Status: Free Trial
California Institute of the Arts
Introduction to Typography
Skills you'll gain: Typography, Graphic Design, Creative Design, Adobe InDesign, Design, Visual Design, Art History, Design Elements And Principles, Peer Review
4.8
Rating, 4.8 out of 5 stars
5.7K reviews
Beginner · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
Status: Free Trial
University of Virginia Darden School Foundation
IBM & Darden Digital Strategy
Skills you'll gain: Strategic Thinking, Digital Transformation, Business Strategy, Cloud Computing Architecture, Competitive Analysis, Cloud Services, Large Language Modeling, Artificial Intelligence, Business Transformation, Cloud Security, Cloud Technologies, Cloud Infrastructure, Big Data, Cloud Platforms, Data Analysis, Statistical Analysis, Cloud Hosting, Generative AI, Product Lifecycle Management, Business Technologies
4.7
Rating, 4.7 out of 5 stars
45K reviews
Beginner · Specialization · 3 - 6 Months
Status: Free Trial
University of Minnesota
Introduction to UI Design
Skills you'll gain: User Interface (UI) Design, User Interface and User Experience (UI/UX) Design, Usability, Human Computer Interaction, User Experience Design, Design, Design Thinking, UI/UX Research, Design Strategies, Human Centered Design, Design Research, User Centered Design
4.6
Rating, 4.6 out of 5 stars
1.4K reviews
Beginner · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
Status: Free Trial
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
Status: Free Trial
California Institute of the Arts
UX Design Fundamentals
Skills you'll gain: User Experience Design, User Interface (UI) Design, User Centered Design, Interaction Design, Prototyping, Wireframing, User Research, Human Computer Interaction, User Flows, Mockups, Information Architecture, Ideation
4.8
Rating, 4.8 out of 5 stars
2.2K reviews
Beginner · Course · 1 - 3 Months