Hello Design Thinking

An introduction to the foundational concepts and tools of design thinking
Preview Course
 

Develop a common language and understanding of design thinking across your organization. This flexible, online experience introduces non-designers to the concepts of the design thinking process—a tried-and-tested approach to creative problem solving. Through activities and case studies with IDEO experts, learn how design thinking works and begin to apply these tools and processes to your own work. It's the first step in unlocking your creative potential.

Course Outcomes
  • Establish a common language and repeatable process for creative problem solving.
  • Start applying the methods and mindsets of design thinking to your work.
  • Practice the skills of design thinking through hands-on activities.
  • Increase your confidence in your creative abilities.
Skills You’ll Gain
Creative Problem Solving Brainstorming Prototyping
Format Online Self-Paced Course
Start Date Start Anytime*
Quantity
Time 2-5 Hours
Price
$199
$199
Download Syllabus Download Syllabus
Download Syllabus

*90-day access from date of purchase.

Go Deeper with Certificate Programs

Take your design thinking skills further with these certificate programs:

View Certificate Programs

What You'll Learn

Introduction

Learn the four phases of design thinking, a process for creative problem solving.
Watch a sneak peek
  • Hello Design Thinking—A sneak peek of the course
     
2 Video Lessons
  • Why Design Thinking Matters Today
  • Four Phases: From Gathering Inspiration to Sharing the Story
1 Activity

  • Pick a Problem You Want to Solve

Lesson 1: Gather Inspiration

Inspire new thinking and discover what people really need through observation.
4 Video Lessons
  • Gather Inspiration
  • Making Change through Observation: The Problem
  • Making Change through Observation: The Solution
  • Six Tips for Observation from IDEO Design Director, Coe Leta Stafford
1 Activity

  • Observe Photos to Spark New Ways of Thinking

Lesson 2: Generate Ideas

Use divergent thinking to push past the obvious and get to breakthrough solutions.
4 Video Lessons
  • Generate Ideas
  • Stretching Past the Obvious: The Problem
  • Stretching Past the Obvious: The Solution
  • The Mash-Up
1 Activity

  • Spark Fresh Ideas from Unexpected Pairings

Lesson 3: Make Ideas Tangible

Build rough prototypes to learn how to make ideas better.
4 Video Lessons
  • Make Ideas Tangible
  • Saving Lives Through Simplicity: The Problem
  • Saving Lives Through Simplicity: The Solution
  • Sketching with David Kelley
1 Activity

  • Sketch to Think: Grab a Pen and Paper and Get Scrappy

Lesson 4: Share the Story

Craft a human story to inspire others toward action.
4 Video Lessons
  • Share the Story
  • Inspiring Design for the Future of Voting: The Problem
  • Inspiring Design for the Future of Voting: The Solution
  • 4 Tips for Story Impact from IDEO Design Director, Jenn Maer
1 Activity
  • Share Your Idea in a Story

Conclusion

Closing Thoughts from David Kelley, IDEO Founder and Chairman
2 Video Lessons
  • Gaining Mastery through Practice
  • Farewell from David Kelley, IDEO Founder and Chairman

Meet Your Instructors

David Kelley

IDEO Founder and Chairman

David’s most enduring contributions are in human-centered design methodology and design thinking. He and his brother co-authored the New York Times best-selling book Creative Confidence. David has been recognized with numerous awards and holds honorary PhDs from Dartmouth and Art Center College.

More About David
More From David Kelley
IDEO U Podcast
Office Hours: Leadership Lessons with David Kelley
TED Talk
How to Build Your Creative Confidence

David Kelley

IDEO Founder and Chairman

David Kelley is the founder and chairman of the global design and innovation company IDEO. Kelley also founded Stanford University's Hasso Plattner Institute of Design, known as the d.school.

Kelley's most enduring contributions are in human-centered design methodology and design thinking. He's most passionate about using design to help unlock creative confidence in everyone from students to business executives. A frequent speaker on these topics, Kelley and his brother co-authored the New York Times best-selling book Creative Confidence: Unleashing the Creative Potential Within Us All.

Kelley was inducted into the National Academy of Engineering in 2000. He holds honorary PhDs from both the Thayer School of Engineering at Dartmouth and Art Center College in Pasadena.

Deepen Your Learning

Downloadable Workbook

Receive a workbook with reflection questions, instructions for activities, and supplemental resources from the course.

Practical Activities

Learn activities and mindsets you can practice on your own or with your team.

Certificate of Completion

After completing the course, receive a certificate of completion.
Learn more about the IDEO U Learning Experience
Deepen Your Learning

Frequently Asked Questions

How do IDEO U self-paced courses work?

We offer three types of courses: self-paced courses, cohort courses, and certificate programs. Self-paced courses are fully online and flexible, so you can take them from any time zone, anywhere in the world. These courses take between 1-8 hours to complete, and you can complete the course any time within 90 days. Courses consist of a series of videos, activities, and small assignments.

Does my time zone matter?

All of our self-paced are fully online and flexible, so you can take them from any time zone, anywhere in the world.

What will I have access to during and after my course?

All course materials, including videos, activities, and assignments will be available while you are enrolled in a course. We provide 90 days of access from the date of purchase, so you may spread your learning over multiple weeks, or refer back to it multiple times during your access period. You will only have access to the course materials while enrolled.

Will there be an instructor or teaching team for feedback?

Self-paced courses are flexible courses meant to be completed independently. While you will watch videos from an instructor, there won’t be any feedback given on assignments. 

If you’d like to take a course where you can get feedback and coaching from our teaching team, check out our cohort courses. 

Will I get a certificate after completing a course?

After completing a self-paced course, you will be able to add it to your “licenses and certifications” on LinkedIn.

We also have certificate programs that consist of multiple courses. After completing a certificate, you will receive a certificate of completion via email as a downloadable PDF within 1-2 weeks of completing the final required course. Certificates are configured for uploading and sharing on LinkedIn.

Do you offer discounts?

We offer a discount when you enroll in multiple courses at the same time through some of our certificate programs, including Foundations in Design Thinking, Business Innovation, Human-Centered Strategy, and Communicating for Impact. 

You can also enter your email address at the bottom of this page in order to receive updates on future offers or possible discounts. 

How do I purchase a self-paced course?

You can purchase a course on our website using a credit card, PayPal, or Shop Pay. For US customers, we also offer installment plans at checkout if you use the Shop Pay method of payment.

We typically are not able to accommodate bank transfer or invoicing. However, if your order includes 10 seats or more, please contact hello@ideou.com and our team will be happy to review your request.

Loved by Learners Across the Globe

Michael Lee
Michael VP Balboa Advisory
Luisa Sivoli
Luisa Senior Designer P&G
Christine W.
Christine Senior Program Manager Hao-shi Foundation
Monica Liggins-Abrams
Monica Director of Success Western Michigan University
Hello Design Thinking
Self-Paced Course

“A wonderfully designed course with really insightful concepts. I actively took notes throughout. I come from a highly experienced management consulting background - I can recognize strong frameworks and ideas!”

Michael
Hello Design Thinking
Self-Paced Course

“I've read a lot about Design Thinking but never before have I had such a simple and complete explanation with hands-on exercises to understand it in such a great way!”

Luisa São Paulo, Brazil
Hello Design Thinking
Self-Paced Course

“IDEO U brings IDEO next to me, making it so much easier to introduce design thinking to others in my various companies. I don't feel lonely anymore as a design thinking practitioner and advocate.”

Christine Taipei City, Taiwan
Hello Design Thinking
Self-Paced Course

“The course was a great introduction. It was just the right amount of information to introduce the concept. The case studies and activities helped drive home the point of each phase that was introduced.”

Monica Kalamazoo, MI

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Enroll As a Team

The practice and application of design thinking, innovation, and creativity is highly collaborative and team based—which is why we believe that learning is better together. Take a course as a team and develop new skills and mindsets, have deeper discussion during course kickoff and debrief sessions, and build a shared understanding.

How to Enroll as a Team