Design Thinking courses can help you learn user-centered design, prototyping, brainstorming techniques, and iterative testing. You can build skills in empathy mapping, defining user personas, and conducting usability tests. Many courses introduce tools like Adobe XD, Figma, and Miro, which facilitate collaboration and visualization throughout the design process. Additionally, you'll explore methods for gathering feedback and refining solutions, ensuring that your designs are not only innovative but also aligned with user needs.

University of Virginia
Skills you'll gain: Design Thinking, Creative Problem-Solving, Ideation, Innovation, Creativity, Strategic Thinking, Case Studies, Market Opportunities, Human Centered Design, Curiosity, Storytelling, Growth Mindedness, Business Modeling
Beginner · Course · 1 - 3 Months

University of Virginia
Skills you'll gain: Brainstorming, Design Thinking, Innovation, Ideation, Stakeholder Analysis, Creative Thinking, User Research, Human Centered Design, Creative Problem-Solving, Design Research, Open Mindset, Project Scoping, Persona Development, Project Planning, Process Mapping, Value Engineering, Product Development, Growth Mindedness, Strategic Thinking, Creativity
Beginner · Specialization · 3 - 6 Months

University of Michigan
Skills you'll gain: Critical Thinking, Generative AI, Decision Making, Artificial Intelligence
Beginner · Course · 1 - 3 Months

IIT Bombay
Skills you'll gain: Design Thinking, User Research, Ideation, Prototyping, Human Centered Design, Product Design, Sustainable Business, Innovation, Brainstorming, Empathy, User Feedback, Product Development, Customer experience improvement, Case Studies, Product Testing, Collaboration
Beginner · Course · 1 - 3 Months

Imperial College London
Skills you'll gain: Creative Thinking, Brainstorming, Design Thinking, Ideation, Creativity, Creative Problem-Solving, Problem Solving, Cognitive flexibility, Innovation, Critical Thinking, Artificial Intelligence, Systems Thinking, Sustainable Design, Prototyping, Analysis
Beginner · Specialization · 3 - 6 Months

IESE Business School
Skills you'll gain: Design Thinking, Ideation, User Research, Culture Transformation, User Experience Design, Qualitative Research, Problem Solving, Brainstorming, Creative Problem-Solving, Solution Design, Human Centered Design, Strategic Thinking, Organizational Change, User Experience, Customer experience improvement, Innovation, Creative Thinking, Empathy, Systems Thinking, Leadership
Beginner · Specialization · 1 - 3 Months

Coursera
Skills you'll gain: Design Thinking, Business Transformation, Process Design, Business Process, Human Centered Design, Business Solutions, Innovation, Creative Problem-Solving, Ideation, Creativity, Overcoming Obstacles, User Research, User Feedback, Empathy, Adaptability, Needs Assessment
Beginner · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks

The University of Sydney
Skills you'll gain: Design Thinking, Human Centered Design, Innovation, Service Design, Prototyping, Ideation, Product Development, Design, Case Studies, User Feedback
Beginner · Course · 1 - 3 Months

The University of Sydney
Skills you'll gain: Design Thinking, Innovation, Business Modeling, Product Design, Product Development, Business Strategy, Strategic Communication, Market Research, Corporate Strategy, Case Studies, User Feedback, Product Testing, Customer Insights
Intermediate · Course · 1 - 3 Months

University of Virginia
Skills you'll gain: Agile Product Development, User Story, Design Thinking, Product Improvement, Agile Methodology, Agile Software Development, Product Design, Product Development, User Centered Design, User Research, Persona Development, Innovation, Product Management, Discussion Facilitation, Software Development, Testability
Beginner · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks

AI CERTs
Skills you'll gain: Design Thinking, Responsible AI, Design, User Experience Design, Creative Design, Design and Product, User Interface and User Experience (UI/UX) Design, Data Ethics, Artificial Intelligence, UI/UX Strategy, Innovation, Machine Learning
Beginner · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks

University of Virginia
Skills you'll gain: Design Thinking, Stakeholder Engagement, Innovation, Prototyping, Brainstorming, Storytelling, Human Centered Design, Ideation, Service Design, User Experience, Problem Solving, Complex Problem Solving, User Feedback, Experimentation, Presentations, Qualitative Research, Data Visualization
Beginner · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
Design thinking is a problem-solving approach that emphasizes understanding the needs of users and creating innovative solutions. It is important because it fosters creativity and collaboration, enabling teams to develop products and services that truly resonate with users. By focusing on empathy and iterative testing, design thinking helps organizations address complex challenges and drive meaningful change.
Jobs in design thinking span various industries and roles, including UX/UI designer, product manager, innovation consultant, and design strategist. These positions often require a blend of creativity, analytical thinking, and collaboration skills, making them essential in today's rapidly evolving job market.
To excel in design thinking, you should develop skills such as empathy, creativity, problem-solving, and collaboration. Additionally, understanding user research methods, prototyping, and testing can enhance your ability to create user-centered solutions. Familiarity with design tools and frameworks is also beneficial.
Some of the best online design thinking courses include the Design Thinking Specialization and the Design Thinking for Innovators course. These programs provide comprehensive insights into the design thinking process and equip you with practical skills to apply in real-world scenarios.
Yes. You can start learning design thinking on Coursera for free in two ways:
If you want to keep learning, earn a certificate in design thinking, or unlock full course access after the preview or trial, you can upgrade or apply for financial aid.
To learn design thinking, start by exploring online courses that introduce the core principles and methodologies. Engage in hands-on projects to practice your skills, and collaborate with peers to gain diverse perspectives. Reading books and articles on design thinking can also deepen your understanding.
Typical topics covered in design thinking courses include empathy mapping, user research techniques, ideation methods, prototyping, and testing. Courses often emphasize the iterative nature of the design process, encouraging learners to refine their ideas based on user feedback.
For training and upskilling employees, courses like the Design Thinking Specialization and Design-Led Strategy: Design thinking for business strategy and entrepreneurship are excellent choices. These programs focus on applying design thinking principles in a business context, enhancing innovation and problem-solving capabilities within teams.