Course · Design Thinking

Solving problems that really matter

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0.1 / What it's about

Design thinking solves problems by putting people first.

Design Thinking is a human-centred, iterative approach to solving complex problems. It brings together people's needs with what is technologically feasible and economically viable. Typical elements include alternating between divergent and convergent thinking, teamwork, and early prototyping and testing.

Key questions of the course:

QUESTION 1

What is the actual problem, and who is it a problem for?

QUESTION 2

How do I find out what people really need?

QUESTION 3

How do you come up with lots of ideas, and how do you choose the right one?

QUESTION 4

How do I test an idea early and cheaply?

Course framework:

TARGET AUDIENCE

Creators

Learners in graphic, media, web or UX design, with no prior knowledge of Design Thinking.

SCOPE

8 × 90 mins

Plus final project; each module can also be used individually.

Format

In a team

Brief input, trying out the tool, group exercise, reflection.

REFERENCE

Design Psychology

Where methods require psychological knowledge, the modules refer you there.

0.2 / Learning Objectives

After the course, you will design with people at the centre.

After the course, you will be able to:

01

explain and delineate the design thinking process and its mindset

02

Research and analyse users through interviews and observations

03

formulate a Point of View and "How might we…?" questions

04

Develop, evaluate and refine ideas into a concept

05

Build prototypes, test them, and further develop the solution based on sound reasoning

0.4 / Procedure per module

Each module follows the same structure.

The rhythm stays the same, the content changes:

01

Introduction (10 mins)

A question or an everyday example.

02

Input (20 mins)

Concepts and methods, concise and visual.

03

Tool (15 mins)

Try the method in the interactive tool.

04

Group exercise (35 mins)

Application to your design challenge.

05

Reflection (10 mins)

What worked, what are you doing differently?

In each section, you will find a key takeaway in bold with a lightning bolt icon, an exercise behind the blue button, and a read-aloud function.

0.5 / Certificate of achievement

At the end, there is a team design challenge.

Final project: a design challenge in groups of three to four people

01

Research

At least five interviews or observations.

02

Synthesis

Persona, Point of View, and HMW questions.

03

Ideas

At least two methods and a reasoned selection.

04

Prototype and Test

Test with at least three people and one documented iteration.

05

Presentation

Ten minutes and a process documentation.

Evaluation criteria: quality of research, clarity of the problem statement, diversity and rationale of ideas, persuasiveness of prototype and test, reflection on the process and one's own role.

0.6 / Literature and Sources

Good methods have sources.

• Brown, T. (2009): Change by Design

• Kelley, T. & Kelley, D. (2013): Creative Confidence

• Lewrick, M., Link, P. & Leifer, L. (2018): The Design Thinking Playbook

• Plattner, H., Meinel, C. & Leifer, L. (eds.) (2011): Design Thinking: Understand – Improve – Apply

• Knapp, J., Zeratsky, J. & Kowitz, B. (2016): Sprint

• IDEO.org (2015): The Field Guide to Human-Centred Design

• Design Council: The Double Diamond / Framework for Innovation (designcouncil.org.uk)

• Stanford d.school: Design Thinking Bootleg (dschool.stanford.edu)

• Kumar, V. (2012): 101 Design Methods · Rowe, P. (1987): Design Thinking

• Critical perspective: Iskander, N. (2018): Design Thinking Is Fundamentally Conservative and Preserves the Status Quo (Harvard Business Review)

• On production blocking: Diehl, M. & Stroebe, W. (1987): Productivity Loss in Brainstorming Groups, Journal of Personality and Social Psychology

01 / Introduction & Approach →

01 / Introduction & Approach →

OVERVIEW

GLOSSARY