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Design Thinking Fundamentals

Learn innovation in two fast-paced days
In-person
Design Thinking

Overview

Course information

Design Thinking Fundamentals covers the entire end-to-end design thinking process, equipping you with the key methods & skills you need to drive innovation. This course focusses on building a foundational understanding of design thinking and its associated technical skills, tools and methods. Working alongside our expert coaches and on a live brief that simulates a relevant user-centric challenge, this course is the perfect introduction to design thinking for everyone.

What you’ll learn

  • The Double Diamond design and innovation process
  • Hypothesis Amnesty
  • How to carry out ethnographic research
  • Stakeholder Mapping
  • Persona
  • Opportunity Statement & Ideation
  • User Journey Mapping
  • Prototyping & user testing
  • Concept Development & Business Model Canvas
  • Story Blueprint & Pitching

The coaching team:

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From £1,550.00 incl. UK VAT
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Who’s it for?

This course is for anyone who is new to design thinking and wants a lively, hands-on introduction to its core principles. Delegates from all over the world & all areas of work attend our design thinking courses: from sole traders to CEOs, from the finance industry to the health sector, we bring people together & teach them how to solve problems creatively. 

There is no prior knowledge of design thinking required, and no specific area of work that this course is limited to. Learning the design thinking basics can help anyone improve the way they work & our team of experienced facilitators help all attendees relate the content of the course to real-world applications. 

Across the two days of our Design Thinking Fundamentals course, you will gain a foundational understanding of the principles and mindsets that underpin design thinking & return to work with an approach that reaches for more engaging, open-minded, expansive and human-centric solutions.

Day-by-day summary

Day 1:

Discover & define
Learn to think like a designer

We begin with a short, interactive introduction to design thinking, exploring some key examples & case studies. Following this, you’ll work in teams on a live project – exposing you to research techniques to help you discover user insights, then walking you how to reframe the brief around a user insight. 

Topics covered 

  • Introduction to design thinking 
  • Stakeholder Mapping 
  • Ethnographic research techniques 
  • Research data analysis and synthesis 
  • Uncovering and crafting insights 
  • User personas 
  • User Journey Mapping 
  • Opportunity Statement 

Day 2:

Develop & deliver
Bring ideas to life

On day 2 you will learn to harness a generative and open mindset in order to come up with new ideas. We then teach you how to bring your ideas to life through prototyping, testing & business modelling. Once your idea is fully formed, you will learn the principles of storytelling and use these to pitch your concept to a panel of experts. 

The day ends with the awarding of certificates & a chance to network with the coaches and your fellow attendees.

Topics covered 

  • Ideation 
  • Prioritising and selecting ideas 
  • Prototyping   
  • User Testing & Iterating 
  • Storytelling
  • Delivering pitches 
  • Design Critique 

What Design Thinking Fundamentals alumni say

A real eye-opening experience and one I would recommend to anyone looking to become a more complete problem solver.

Barnaby Taffs
Transformational Proposition Consultant, Allianz

Great 2 days. A way to expand thinking and skills

Amanda Bannister
Senior Solution Designer, NatWest

A brilliantly designed course delivered by experienced coaches that make it easy to understand and see the value of applying the tools in whatever area of work you're in!

Jeremiah Haile
Associate, PwC

A delightful bombardment of useful information over two days that I can start implementing in my organisation straight away.

Jess Saumarez
Chief Commercial Officer & Director, Stephenson Law

Highly recommended for anyone charged with making, inventing, innovating anything in their job. The tools, approach, and support were all top notch.

Alison Buttenheim
Professor, University of Pennsylvania

Excellent practical tools that can be applied straight away

Laura Gudefin
Associate Director, Centre for Innovation, Transformation and Improvement (CITI) at Guy's and St Thomas'​ NHS Foundation Trust

Our live teaching approach

Expert coaching Reveal more
Learning from experienced design thinkers & interactive workshops.
Collaborative innovation Reveal more
Co-creating with others & exploring how to drive innovation within a team.
Networking opportunities Reveal more
Connecting with people from around the world & expanding personal networks.

The coaching team

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Mo-Ling Chui

Strategy Consultant & Coach
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Simon Gough

Associate Service Design Director

Related articles & podcasts

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The evolution of design thinking

The evolution of design thinking

Clive Grinyer
Who started Design Thinking? Clive Grinyer charts Design Thinking’s growth from a niche activity to a mainstream practice.
Podcasts
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Can you learn design thinking in just two days?

Can you learn design thinking in just two days?

Sumant Bhatia
In this edition of the podcast we talk to Adam Forbes from Familiarize about his experience on our Design Thinking Fundamentals course.
Podcasts
Design thinking
Sustainability
When design thinking & big tech took on plastics

When design thinking & big tech took on plastics

Ben Crisp
In this latest podcast, listen to how a Design Sprint helped SAP use data and design thinking to take on the scourge of plastics pollution.
See all blogs & podcasts

FAQs

What is the difference between Design Thinking Fundamentals & Design Thinkers Bootcamp?

Design Thinking Fundamentals is a whistle-stop tour for those who are new to the concept and want to learn the design thinking basics. Your guides will be two experienced practitioners, who will help you develop an insight into the approach and some key tools that cover the core principles of design thinking. This course provides a solid foundation and is especially helpful to those who are totally new to design thinking. 

Design Thinkers Bootcamp is a longer, more immersive course where you learn and practice the tools and techniques of design thinking over five days. You are guided by experienced facilitators throughout the week, and each day you will hear from a different expert who will share real examples of applied design thinking. Course content goes much deeper than time allows on the Fundamentals course, and sponsor clients provide detailed feedback of project work and approach.

Bootcamp also provides an opportunity to personalise your learning, with space to discuss your own organisation and gain advice and support on adopting design thinking once you return to work. 

How can I get more information?

If you have a question that isn’t answered here, please do get in touch via our contact page, or by speaking to one of our team right now through the chatbot in the corner of the screen. 

English isn’t my first language, does that matter?

Design Thinking Fundamentals is taught in English and it is important to have good basic spoken English to get the most out of the course. People from all over the world attend our courses, and this cultural mix is one of the real strengths of what we offer.

Are meals provided?

Yes, we provide a vegetarian lunch for all attendees on each day of the course. Please let us know in advance if you have any special dietary requirements and we will be sure to cater for them. 

Is it a residential course?

No, the course is taught in our South-West London studio and attendees from out of London will need to book accommodation. Please get in touch if you would like suggestions for local hotels and we will be able to help you.

Why do prices include UK VAT?

As per HMRC UK legislation, it is mandatory for us to charge UK VAT on all in-person courses held in the UK, regardless of where a customer is located. 

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