University of Virginia
Design Thinking Specialization
11,500 enrolled
University of Virginia

Design Thinking Specialization

Embark On Your Design Journey. Master core competencies and deepen your practice.

Included with Coursera Plus

Get in-depth knowledge of a subject

(166 reviews)

Beginner level

Recommended experience

Flexible schedule
1 month at 10 hours a week
Earn a career credential
Share your expertise with employers
Get in-depth knowledge of a subject

(166 reviews)

Beginner level

Recommended experience

Flexible schedule
1 month at 10 hours a week
Earn a career credential
Share your expertise with employers

Overview

  • How to complete a 14-Step process to solve human-centered problems

  • How to use important design tools to connect with customers

  • How to deepen your practice through six key phases of the design thinking process

What’s included

Shareable certificate

Add to your LinkedIn profile

Taught in English
27 practice exercises

Advance your subject-matter expertise

  • Learn in-demand skills from university and industry experts
  • Master a subject or tool with hands-on projects
  • Develop a deep understanding of key concepts
  • Earn a career certificate from University of Virginia

Specialization - 4 course series

What you'll learn

  • How to navigate the design thinking process to tackle a human-centered problem

  • How to craft out an effective research plan

  • How to draw key insights from the design process to arrive at ideal solutions

Skills you'll gain

Category: Design Thinking
Category: Innovation
Category: Growth Mindedness
Category: Constructive Feedback
Category: Interviewing Skills
Category: User Research
Category: Human Centered Design
Category: Strategic Thinking
Category: Empathy
Category: Brainstorming
Category: Open Mindset
Category: Qualitative Research
Category: Project Design
Category: Planning
Category: Creative Problem-Solving

What you'll learn

  • How to turn insights gathered during the design thinking process into action

  • How to generate solutions and turn ideas into key concepts

  • How to move from ideation to experimentation

Skills you'll gain

Category: Design Thinking
Category: Prioritization
Category: Brainstorming
Category: Performance Measurement
Category: Innovation
Category: Customer experience improvement
Category: Ideation
Category: A/B Testing
Category: Design and Product
Category: User Feedback
Category: Product Design
Category: Strategic Prioritization
Category: Collaboration
Category: Creative Thinking
Category: Project Design
Category: Strategic Thinking
Category: Stakeholder Engagement
Category: Constructive Feedback
Category: Human Centered Design
Category: Verification And Validation

What you'll learn

  • How to use a variety of important design thinking tools to generate ideas

  • How to connect with customers on a human level

  • How to think creatively in order to discover more about potential clients

Skills you'll gain

Category: Empathy
Category: Design Thinking
Category: Persona Development
Category: Stakeholder Management
Category: Customer Insights
Category: Interviewing Skills
Category: Innovation
Category: Human Centered Design
Category: User Experience
Category: Process Analysis
Category: Strategic Thinking
Category: User Research
Category: Value Propositions

What you'll learn

  • How design thinking done well can impact your practice and outcomes

  • How to navigate six key phases of design thinking - Immersion, Sensemaking, Alignment, Emergence, Imagining, and Learning in Action

  • How to develop a Personal Development Plan (PDP) to chart your progress

Skills you'll gain

Category: Design Thinking
Category: Cognitive flexibility
Category: Empathy
Category: Strategic Thinking
Category: Human Centered Design
Category: Open Mindset
Category: Adaptability
Category: Innovation
Category: Systems Thinking
Category: Dealing With Ambiguity
Category: Creativity

Earn a career certificate

Add this credential to your LinkedIn profile, resume, or CV. Share it on social media and in your performance review.

Instructors

Jeanne M. Liedtka
University of Virginia
12 Courses533,587 learners
Karen Hold
University of Virginia
1 Course9,136 learners
Jessica Eldridge
University of Virginia
1 Course9,136 learners

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