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Introduction to Design Thinking
Rating: 4.5 out of 5(3,940 ratings)
9,282 students

Introduction to Design Thinking

Human-Centered Strategies to Solve Complex Problems and Enhance Customer Satisfaction
Last updated 5/2026
English

What you'll learn

  • The 5-Step design thinking process developed by Stanford University
  • How to apply the design thinking framework to solve a wide range of problems
  • How to define problems in a human-centric manner
  • The soft skills required to identify "Pain Points"
  • The hazard of unconscious biases
  • How to integrate data visualization into the design thinking process
  • The value of prototyping and iteration
  • Low-fi versus Hi-fi prototypes
  • The technological, business and human-centered constraints of any problem
  • The value of brainstorming and ideation
  • Integrating diversity into your thinking

Course content

1 section23 lectures2h 33m total length
  • Introduction to the Design Thinking Course7:21
  • What is Design Thinking?6:30
  • Design Constraints6:26
  • Thoughts on the Design Constraints4:10
  • A Rapid Overview of the Design Thinking Process12:28

    Explore the five-step design thinking process, empathize, define, ideate, prototype, and test, emphasizing user-centric insights, gemba visits, iterative refinement, and MVP prototyping.

  • Empathize10:15
  • Unconscious Biases9:37
  • Glossary of Unconscious Biases1:44
  • Define9:37
  • Personas and Persona Development9:48

    Develop personas and archetypes through qualitative and quantitative research to reveal user goals, pain points, and behaviors, guiding empathy and design decisions.

  • Persona Practice Exercise2:09
  • Kano's Model of Customer Satisfaction5:53
  • Data Visualization for Design Thinking, Pt 18:12
  • Data Visualization for Design Thinking, Pt 28:06
  • Ideate6:38

    Apply divergent thinking in ideation to generate many ideas, then converge ideas with mind mapping and the six M's to select promising solutions for prototyping.

  • An Exercise in Ideation4:10
  • Prototyping9:33

    Prototyping expresses design intent through iterative, low- to high-fidelity experiments, from sketches to minimum viable product, testing with users to reduce risk and refine the solution.

  • Thoughts on Experimentation3:28
  • Test3:57
  • Active Listening8:10
  • Closing Thoughts on Design Thinking5:51

    Design thinking remains an introductory, rapidly evolving field that thrives on practice, cross-disciplinary learning, and continuous exploration to sharpen problem solving and creativity.

  • Conclusion2:08

    Conclude by embracing the design thinking toolkit and its flexible problem-solving approach, and commit to practicing, observing pain points, listening to people, prototyping, and applying these skills.

  • Bonus Lecture6:49

Requirements

  • The desire to enhance your problem solving skills
  • An open mind
  • Some paper and a pencil

Description

Design Thinking is an iterative process that seeks to understand the user, challenge assumptions, and define problems in a manner that identifies alternative strategies and solutions that may not be readily apparent. Design Thinking is also a mindset--a way of seeing the world around you--that uses a human-centric approach to solving problems.

In this class Introduction to Design Thinking, you will learn:

  • The 5-step approach to problem solving originally developed at Stanford's Hasso Plattner Institute of Design

  • Strategies for using the five steps (Empathize, Define, Ideate, Prototype, and Test)

  • The three major design constraints--Desirability, Feasibility and Viability--and how they interact

  • Tactics for integrating data visualization into the design thinking process

  • Personas and persona development

  • Kano's Model of Customer Satisfaction

  • The pitfalls of unconscious biases

  • How prototyping throughout the design process lowers your costs and risks

BUT WAIT ... THERE'S MORE!!

When you purchase this class, you get two additional benefits:

First, you get LIFETIME ACCESS to all course materials. If you want to come back for a refreshers 6 months or 6 years after completing this course, it will be here for you. With no required start or finish times, you get maximum flexibility to take or re-take this class as needed.

And secondly, if you have any questions about the course material, you are welcome to reach out to me, Ray Harkins, through Udemy's. I try very hard to respond to every question I get within 48 hours.

So in total, you get:

  • High-quality course materials

  • Lifetime access to all course materials

  • Personalized Certificate of Completion

  • Q&A access to the instructor

  • All for a very low price!!

What did other students say about "Introduction to Design Thinking"?

"This is one of the finest courses online." - Rishi S.

"I've just started but the introduction video has inspired me to sign up and complete the whole course. 1/2 way through now and this is a great course. It's making me think about my current approach and I'll now be aware of unconscious biases and offering solutions before even detailing the full issue experienced by users." - Allison F.

"Rating: 5.0 out of 5

I've just been introduced to design thinking and this instructor explanation is very clear and succinct. I'm enjoying the course." - Angela L.

"Fantastic course - presenter has real enthusiasm for the topic and his knowledge/wisdom particularly around behavioral biases/active listening really shines through. Thank you, Ray!" - Connor R.

"Introduction to Design Thinking" is your starting point for adding a new dimension to your problem-solving skills. Beyond what's just technologically possible, beyond what's just good for your business, Design Thinking gives you the tools you need to see through your customers eyes and develop solutions that will truly meet their needs.

Who this course is for:

  • Product Managers, Process Engineers, Manufacturing Engineers, Quality Engineers
  • UX Designers, Project Managers, Innovation Managers, R&D Engineers
  • Continuous Improvement Specialists, Business Analysts, Operations Managers
  • Customer Experience Professionals, Engineering Managers, Aspiring Team Leaders
  • Professionals transitioning into leadership or strategic roles