Online learning from an accredited institution
Design Thinking Course
All we’ve been hearing about lately is “design thinking”, yet most people don’t know what it means. Design thinking is not graphic design − it’s about transforming the way you think, building empathy with users, and creating and testing prototypes before applying novel solutions. Within 10 weeks you’ll have grasped the concept and practice of design thinking and be able to transform the way your business operates and how you make crucial decisions with your users in mind.
Design Thinking is a methodology that relies on a human-centered approach to find innovative solutions to problems. It applies to absolutely everything - be it product design, a government service, or corporate raison d’etre.
“Absolutely loved my Red & Yellow online course! I did it all the way from the Netherlands while working full time so it’s definitely possible to do it in between your normal tasks. The team is super supportive and understanding if you need more time to complete specific assignments. Would definitely recommend!”
Noluyanda Nolu Roxwana
Campaign Manager at Studyportals
In partnership with digital transformation practice DYDX, Red & Yellow presents a 10-week online short course in Design Thinking.
All we’ve been hearing about lately is “design thinking”, yet most people don’t know what it means. Design thinking is not graphic design − it’s about transforming the way you think, building empathy with users, and creating and testing prototypes before applying novel solutions. Within 10 weeks you’ll have grasped the concept and practice of design thinking and be able to transform the way your business operates and how you make crucial decisions with your users in mind.
Design Thinking is a methodology that relies on a human-centered approach to find innovative solutions to problems. It applies to absolutely everything – be it product design, a government service, or corporate raison d’etre.
“Design thinking is a critical skill for outperforming competitors, capturing new markets, and innovating for future success and sustainability.”
Get the Design Thinking Certificate that guarantees career success.
A creative and empathy-led approach to problem-solving is a skill lacking across industries and is necessary to innovate for success and sustainability. Grasping the concept of design thinking will lead you to outperform your competitors and capture new audiences. It’s an approach that can be applied to any business, organization, and industry.
What you’ll learn
Design thinking is a future-proofing critical skill that is increasingly in high demand.
- You’ll be equipped with the foundational theories and methodologies to approach complex problems from a completely different perspective
- Learn how to conceptualize innovative, creative, and powerful solutions.
- To create a functioning website
Co-developed with industry leaders, carefully constructed modules cover the key components of design thinking (theory, methodologies, processes), and practical assignments ensure that ‘what you learn’ is embedded by putting it into practice.
Why this is a critical skill
The digital age has presented ‘new’ challenges, to which ‘old’ solutions and ways of thinking no longer apply. The few brands that ‘get’ this continue to outperform the market. Labeled as ‘disruptors’, when the more appropriate term would be ‘innovative problem solvers’.
Their magic formula? Approach – the ability to look at a problem from fresh perspectives, distill its essence, and find innovative solutions that challenge or address the status quo.
Who should take this course?
This course is designed for people who are new to design thinking, frustrated with how to find solutions to current challenges based on outdated techniques and approaches, and eager to shape their career with a new, proven skill.
Our knowledge partner
DYDX is a digital transformation and innovation consultancy that uses design thinking to solve tough business challenges for a diverse array of clients.
Red & Yellow courses are made to future-proof your career
Our courses are designed to accelerate opportunities and give a boost to your CV. Top businesses across industries recognise Red & Yellow graduates as having the practical skills and the theoretical background to hit the ground running with confidence and creative flair.
Course curriculum:
Part 1: Introduction to Design Thinking: What It Is, and Isn’t
- Understand how thinking and assumptions constrain our approach to problem-solving; and how we regularly fall into the trap of solving the wrong problem
- Explore the history of design thinking, how it has evolved, and what the various components are, like UX, research, and service design
Part 2: Design Thinking Theory
- Learn about the stages and various models of the process, and the time that should be allocated to each element
- Delve into how mindsets – e.g. ambiguity, uncertainty, and culture – shape outcomes
- And get to grips with various ways of working; spanning facilitation, collaborative, experimental, and iterative, amongst others
The challenge
- Unpack the value of research and various research techniques.
- Explore why empathy is critical, how to translate these customer insights into user journey templars and personas, and learn how to frame a challenge
- All the theories will be vividly brought to life with case studies
- Then you’ll get the chance to tackle an actual challenge and apply all your new-found knowledge
Understanding and framing the problem
- A ‘how to’ implement design thinking, including personas, interviews, user journeys, and capturing context and insights
Ideation
- Explore theoretical constructs like divergence, convergence, and ambiguity
- Then learn how to select the right techniques and tools, and how to implement them
Prototyping (Developing your own solution)
- This module addresses what prototyping is, why it’s important, and methods and examples of how this can lead to a digital or physical product, service, or campaign
Testing
With your prototype in place, it now needs to be tested
- Learn the fundamentals of test design, ideal sample size and stats, and methods applicable for different types of prototypes
- Get guidelines on how to test effectively, spot bad data or feedback, and unpack the data points
Selling your idea
- Gain the ability to document your solution and learnings, compile an impactful business case, translate this into a Proof of Concept, and present your solution in a way that will lead to buy-in and support
One week to work on your research project, and consolidate everything you’ve learned over the past 9 weeks
Meet your team:
This course was created by, and benefits from, our full-time lecturers’ years of experience in the field – both in lecturing and in industry. They know how to nurture talent and bring out the best in students, resulting in many award-wins over the years.
About Red & Yellow
Creative thinking is the most important skill. Artificial Intelligence and robots are going to replace some of the jobs we know today.
Red & Yellow is the business school where talented people go to develop the career skills they need to thrive in this digital world.
R&Y unlocks creative thinking to build brilliant careers and organisations using Commercial Logic and Creative Magic.
We are vision-led and values-driven and we are developing the next generation of changemakers, creators and innovators.
We believe creative thinking is the most important skill of the future and it must be supported by uniquely human abilities such as leadership, adaptability and social intelligence.
We are a Creative School of Business that provides you with the commercial logic to grow successful organisations and more importantly the creative magic to set them apart.
We are teaching the great creators, inventors, leaders and entrepreneurs for the 21st Century.
We will be the most creative business school in the world.
Get inspired to study Design Thinking
Get a full course infopack & a digital copy of our world renowned eMarketing Textbook for free
Uncover every aspect of digital marketing – from data analysis, SEO, and performance to content marketing, social media, and customer engagement – with our 7th Edition eMarketing Textbook.
Up-to-date statistics and eye-opening digital marketing case studies
- Deep dives into content mastery, advertising wonders, and the future of advertising
- Exclusive insights from marketing industry titans
- A powerful focus on elevating customer experiences and crafting meaningful engagements
Hit the button below to start exploring our latest eMarketing Textbook, and get inspired to kickstart your digital marketing journey.
Design thinking is a process that can be used by marketers to understand their users. By applying design thinking, they understand, define, and redefine assumptions and problems and create solutions for the market. The most important characteristic of design thinking is that it is non-linear and iterative.
Because this process forces marketers to understand their users’ needs (and, in fact, broader needs), it results in ideas that can be prototyped and tested. This keeps the marketers close to the users and results in products and services that actually meet people’s needs — not just what companies think people need.
The five stages of design thinking are: empathise, define, ideate, prototype, test. Notice that there is emphasis on prototyping and testing, as well as empathising. This is important because it is what makes design thinking so useful. Instead of working apart from customers and putting a product or service in the market that falls short, this process allows for more granular market research and iterative design.
Explore related courses
Explore our latest blog posts
10 ways to turn your creative passion into a career: a guide for South African teens
Turning your creative passion into a successful creative career ...
30 Years & 30 Alumni: 2014 – now
In celebration of 30 years of Creative Magic & ...
30 Years & 30 Alumni: 2004 – 2013
In celebration of 30 years of Creative Magic & ...