04 Jul DESIGN THINKING COURSES, CLASSES & PROGRAMS BY TOP KEYNOTE SPEAKER
Design thinking courses, classes and training programs are plentiful. The methodology has further emerged as a powerful approach to innovation and problem-solving, leading to a proliferation of educational offerings in this field. The best design thinking courses from short workshops to comprehensive degree programs are now available in myriad forms to suit different needs and learning preferences.
1. Introductory Workshops: The short, intensive courses typically span one to three days and provide a basic overview of design thinking principles and methodologies. Participants engage in hands-on exercises to learn the fundamentals of empathy, ideation, prototyping, and testing. Top design thinking courses are ideal for professionals seeking a quick introduction to design thinking or organizations looking to expose their teams to innovative problem-solving approaches.
2. Online Self-Paced Courses: Services like Coursera, edX, and IDEO U offer flexible, self-paced design thinking courses. The training programs often combine video lectures, reading materials, and practical assignments – and allow learners to explore design thinking at their own pace and are particularly suitable for those balancing work or other commitments.
3. Certificate Programs: More comprehensive than introductory workshops, certificate programs typically run for several weeks to a few months. Sessions offer a deeper dive into training methodologies and often include real-world projects. Universities, design schools, and professional organizations frequently offer these programs, which can be valuable for career advancement or transitioning into innovation-focused roles.
4. Executive Education Programs: Many top business schools offer design thinking courses tailored for executives and business leaders. The learning programs focus on applying design thinking to strategic business challenges and often emphasize leadership and organizational change aspects.
5. Degree Programs: Some universities now offer full degree programs in design thinking, typically at the master’s level. Top programs provide a comprehensive education in design thinking principles, research methods, and application across various domains. Classes often include internships or capstone projects, allowing students to apply their skills in real-world settings.
6. Specialized Industry Courses: Recognizing that design thinking can be applied across various sectors, some institutions offer courses tailored to specific industries such as healthcare, education, or technology. The sessions focus on applying design thinking principles to industry-specific challenges.
7. Train-the-Trainer Programs: The courses are designed for professionals who want to become design thinking facilitators or coaches. Programs cover not only the design thinking process but also techniques for teaching and facilitating design thinking workshops.
8. Corporate Training Programs: Many organizations opt for customized in-house design thinking courses and training. Offerings are tailored to the company’s specific needs and culture, often focusing on applying design thinking to current business challenges.
9. Design Sprints: While not traditional courses, design sprint workshops have gained popularity as a way to learn and apply design thinking principles to solve specific problems in a short, intense timeframe, typically five days.
When choosing a design thinking course, consider your goals, available time, learning style, and budget. Whether you’re looking for a quick introduction or a comprehensive education, there’s likely a design thinking course that fits your needs. Looking ahead, we can expect to see even more diverse and specialized offerings emerge, further enriching the landscape of design thinking education.