Design Thinking Courses
One of the biggest myths one can come across is that creativity is innate only; only a blessed few are born with it. Just like any other skill that we can hone and perfect with practice and effort, so can creativity. And, this creativity is not about simply the arts. Creativity exists in business as well, where it’s often intertwined with design thinking. In the business context, this blend of creativity and design thinking is called a slightly different name: innovation.
Every business strives for innovation. Innovation ensures not just the survival but also the subsequent rise of companies across domains. To be innovative, companies need to strategize and plan their course of action. They need to employ out-of-the-box methods and attempt strategies that have never been done before.
But, how does one go about being innovative? There is no one road to innovation. Every company is different, hence, every path to innovation is different. However, one can utilize a certain vehicle that will drive them down the road to innovation. This vehicle is design thinking.
What is Design Thinking?
Design thinking is the new buzzword amongst businesses. Everybody wants to try it and benefit from it. If you are well-versed with the process and methods, you stand out among the decision-makers responsible for building teams aimed at innovation. That’s why courses are on the rise. There are a wide variety of courses and workshops to choose from to learn about design thinking and practice it hands-on.
Courses can be broadly divided into two categories:
- In-Person
- Online
- Blended (in-person and online)
Most in-person courses are short-duration but highly intensive and rigorous courses. They focus on this process as well as innovation as a whole; building creatively motivated teams, methods, and techniques to spur innovation, understanding the psychology behind human and machine interaction, etc. Although in-person design thinking courses are structured and designed with a thorough approach, they are also quite expensive to engage in. Moreover, the target groups for in-person courses are usually senior officials and team leaders.
Courses in Design Thinking
A more approachable option is online courses on this subject. They are certification courses that not only teach you about design thinking but also provide certification upon completion of the course. You may not be able to practice design thinking hands-on, but you would gain access to a wide range of resources and tools that would enable you to put the design thinking process into practice once you have learned it.
Blended courses refer to those online courses, which also offer a few in-person sessions. In a way, this is the most appropriate way to learn, since it gives you the opportunity to put your learning into practice in a controlled environment. We can further assess and improve upon this.
Along with courses, one can choose to participate in workshops organized by institutes and organizations where you get to mingle and interact with experts and incumbents alike who share a common interest: design thinking.
Lastly, one can opt to read the multitude of books available along with the materials they have access to from their course. Learning is best when one tries to build on knowledge through curiosity and self-discovery.
It is a very practical approach to innovation that requires practice and perseverance to master. A good way to improve your skills is to keep yourself updated via courses that teach new techniques and methods. Then, one must also employ their learning across a wide range of problems. Practice enhances flexibility; a core component of creativity and innovation.
Explore: 16 types of methodologies in design thinking and innovation
Contact us if you are interested in a innovation related training program that is tailored to the needs of your organization or team.
