University of Virginia Darden · on Coursera

Design Thinking for Innovation

4.7(28,000) on Coursera·450K enrolled
Beginner 12 hours English University Certificate
Our recommendation
UVA Darden's short course on design thinking — a human-centred approach to solving problems and driving innovation. It is practical and framework-led, useful for managers, entrepreneurs and anyone who wants a structured way to generate and test ideas.

Good for: Managers, entrepreneurs and professionals who want a structured innovation approach.

Less suitable if: You already practise design thinking, or you want hands-on design tools.

Skills you'll gain

Design thinkingInnovationProblem solvingHuman-centred designIdeationPrototyping concepts

Is this course right for you?

A good fit if you…

You want a structured way to innovate
You lead teams or projects
You like practical frameworks

Consider something else if you…

You already use design thinking
You want hands-on design tools
You want a technical course

Requirements: None.

Realistic time: About 12 hours; two to three weeks part-time.

About this course

This University of Virginia Darden School course teaches design thinking as a structured innovation methodology: building empathy with users through observation and interviews, defining problem statements, ideating broadly with creative techniques, building rapid prototypes, and testing with real users.

What you'll learn

Build empathy through structured user research and observation techniques
Define problem statements using the How Might We framework
Generate diverse solution ideas using structured ideation methods
Build rapid prototypes to test assumptions without heavy investment
Design and run user tests that yield actionable feedback

This course includes

12h
On-demand video
Yes
Certificate
Yes
Mobile access
English
Language

What it costs

Free to audit on Coursera; the certificate needs a subscription (about $49 a month), with financial aid available.

Comparison · LBS

Compare alternatives for Design Thinking for Innovation

Same topic, different options. We surface the trade-offs others hide so you can pick the course that actually fits your time, budget, and goals.
Coursera4.7(28,000)
Design Thinking for Innovation
Price
Paid
Free to audit, paid certificate
Duration
12 hrs
Level
Beginner
Certificate
University Certificate
Coursera4.7(10,000)
Think Again I: How to Understand Arguments
Price
Paid
Free to audit, paid certificate
Duration
12 hrs
Level
Beginner
Certificate
University Certificate
Coursera4.6(14,000)
Java Programming: Solving Problems with Software
Price
Paid
Free to audit, paid certificate
Duration
16 hrs
Level
Beginner
Certificate
University Certificate
Coursera
Critical Thinking Skills for the Professional
Price
Free
Audit free · Certificate available
Duration
Level
Beginner
Certificate
University Certificate
Prices & availability can change — confirm on the provider's site. We're not affiliated with any single provider.

Is the certificate recognised?

Issued through Coursera with UVA Darden; the approach and how you apply it matter most.

Instructor

JL
Jeanne Liedtka
Coursera instructor
450K+ learners5 courses4.7 instructor rating

Taught by Jeanne Liedtka, UVA Darden professor and author of multiple books on design thinking in business contexts.

About this provider

CO
Coursera
University-backed online learning platform. 142M learners, 7,000+ courses from 325+ institutions.
Visit Coursera

Frequently asked questions

Yes for a practical, structured approach to innovation and problem-solving from a top business school.
You can audit it free on Coursera; the certificate needs a subscription, with financial aid available.
Managers, entrepreneurs and professionals who want a repeatable way to generate and test ideas.
Yes. It is framework-led, giving you a process you can apply to real problems.
About 12 hours over two to three weeks.
Paid
Free to audit, paid certificate
Enroll now