Introduction to Design Thinking to Solve Complex Problems

Use the special code THINKBETTER to enroll for FREE – valid until 31 July 2025.

Welcome to a course where ideas begin with people, not perfection. In this introduction to Design Thinking, we will explore how meaningful solutions emerge through empathy, simplicity, and iteration. Whether you want to build better services, design inclusive experiences, or improve how teams work together, this course offers an entry point to a foundation rooted in real human needs, not abstract theory. It helps you decide if a deeper or more advanced course is the right next step.

Design thinking begins where assumptions end. It brings clarity through empathy, structure, and thoughtful experimentation. You will learn how to test ideas quickly, how to spot what truly matters to users, and how to work as a team without letting job titles or egos block good ideas. We will look at practical steps that help reduce waste, avoid overbuilding, and support long-term, sustainable innovation.

This course follows the design thinking approach across five main stages: Empathize, Define, Ideate, Prototype, and Test. Each lesson supports one or more of these stages. You will also explore complementary tools from Agile, Lean, and Systems Thinking. Reflection and application are integrated as part of the learning process.

Each lesson builds on the last, using examples, small tasks, and key questions to spark reflection. This approach draws inspiration from recognized design frameworks such as LUMA and IDDEO, adapted into a thoughtful, step-by-step learning path.

The lessons shared here reflect my own experience applying human-centered design across sectors, shaped through hands-on training and insights from some of the most respected design thinkers and methods. Whether you are a professional, entrepreneur, or curious learner, you will walk away with tools and insights you can apply right away.