Online learning from an accredited institution

Design Thinking Innovation Lead

In an era of rapid technological transformation, the ability to think creatively and lead with innovation is more critical than ever. This course equips learners with the skills to guide teams through the design thinking process—a proven, people-centered approach to solving complex challenges. 

As a Design Thinking Innovation Lead, you will learn to immerse yourself in the environments and contexts of problems, conducting applied ethnographic research to enhance stakeholder engagement and empathy. You'll master methodologies that drive creativity, redefine problems, and synthesise insights to develop innovative, actionable solutions

“I have done three short courses with R&Y thus far and all three have been incredible. The content, case studies and assignments were refreshing, interesting, practical, insightful and inspirational. Can’t recommend them enough and I will continue to stay curious and enroll for more courses in the future. Thank you R&Y, keep up the creativity & innovation!”

Shelley Daniels

National Sales Leader at Flight Centre Independent

Get an in-demand QCTO qualification

The course emphasises the role of design thinking in navigating the complexities of digital transformation and 4IR challenges, ensuring businesses remain agile and competitive.

With growing demand for design thinking professionals, this course prepares you to lead transformative initiatives, foster a culture of innovation, and guide organisations toward success in an ever-evolving digital world.

What you’ll learn

  • Master the principles and methodologies of design thinking to drive impactful innovation.
  • Lead and inspire teams to create cutting-edge solutions using design thinking techniques.
  • Apply the design thinking process to spark creativity and develop breakthrough innovations.
  • Use applied ethnographic research to deeply understand problems and connect meaningfully with stakeholders.
  • Present ideas effectively and persuasively, tailoring your communication to engage audiences at all levels.

This online certification is perfect for:

  • Aspiring design thinking innovation leaders.
  • Astute problem solvers and leaders with a creative flair.
  • Anyone who wants to learn how to solve business-related problems and lead positive change in this context.

This QCTO accredited online Certificate is built and taught by experts who specialise in the field.

Gain the fundamental skills that are in high demand in today’s job market.

This QCTO accredited Certificate is the perfect way to combine your creativity with practical commercial logic.

Be recognised with an industry centric Red & Yellow certification, giving you a blend of theoretical knowledge and hands-on skills.

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.

  • An industry-sought-after Certificate of Completion from Red & Yellow
  • Original, relevant, and constantly updated content
  • An interactive online learning experience that includes videos, live chat sessions, forum discussions, and more
  • A team of course coordinators to assist you and Instructional Designers and subject matter experts to guide and teach

Our courses are both current and relevant to the South African context.

Applicable, practical assignments:

  •       So that you can apply what you’re learning to your everyday work life, and your specific business challenges.

Discussion Forums and Chat sessions:

  •       Helping you develop your professional network.
  •       Hosted by your coach, lecturer, or subject specialist.
  •       Ideal opportunities to discuss the content and get answers to all your questions.

Personalized feedback:

  •       Tailored to your individual strengths, and opportunities for personal improvement.

A dedicated team:

  • Acting as your “virtual” support crew whose only focus is to help get you over the finish line.

Course curriculum:

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.

Carmen Schaefer
Head of Academics

  • Leads Academic department, lecturer in design and art direction.
  • Expert in typography, holistic design, detail-oriented.
  • Nurtures talent, students win awards and succeed.

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.

Get inspired to study Design Thinking

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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.

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