Design thinking is not a standardized process or step-by-step framework for innovation: The approach really demands that its practitioners roll up their sleeves to understand how it might work in their organizations. Previously, we’ve shared some of the most valuable TED Talks on the topic, the best design thinkers to follow on Twitter, tips on explaining design thinking in plain English, and advice on making the business case for design thinking.
[ Design thinking can be a tough concept to articulate. Read also: How to explain design thinking in plain English. ]
But where can you go deeper – beyond the Design Thinking 101? We’ve gathered some of the best resources for leaders who want to know more about design thinking and its application in the enterprise – to read, download, enroll in, listen to, watch, or share with your teams.
1. “The Design of Business: Why Design Thinking is the Next Competitive Advantage”
Author and business strategy advisor Roger L. Martin was ahead of the curve in 2009 in connecting the dots between design thinking and business innovation. In “The Design of Business,” Martin argues that most companies fail to innovate because they rely too heavily on analytical thinking – which yields only incremental improvements. Martin highlights case studies from organizations as varied as P&G and Cirque du Soleil, which have harnessed design thinking to produce radical breakthroughs and competitive advantage.
2. Innovation Masters Series: Design Thinking and the Art of Innovation
If you want to learn from some of the best (and have the budget for the $7,000 tuition), the Stanford Center for Professional Development is offering the rare opportunity this June to immerse yourself in design thinking for three days. Master lecturers from the Design Group and d.school at Stanford University will be sharing lessons on design thinking and the art of innovation with executives, thought leaders, and decision-makers in attendance.
3. MIT Executive Education: Mastering Design Thinking
The next offering of this three-month online course, taught by four MIT professors/researchers, kicks off on May 30th. Involving a six- to eight-hour commitment each week, the class takes executive students. It begins with learning about the concepts that drive design thinking but quickly evolves into an applied-learning process involving submitting potential project ideas, identifying customer needs and user groups, prototyping solutions, presenting them, and getting feedback.
4. IDEO U
Palo Alto-based consultancy IDEO was of the first firms to help companies apply the concept of design thinking to product and service development. In 2015, it launched its online school IDEO U to help individuals, teams, and organizations learn how to solve problems in new and creative ways. Current offerings include a number of five-week courses, including Insights for Innovation (focused on the first phase of user-oriented design) and Human-Centered Service Design (focused on developing experiences using design thinking). There are two on-demand video classes: Hello Design Thinking, for the fundamentals; and Prototyping for Digital Experiences, for a primer on using low-fidelity prototypes to explore and iterate digital projects.
5. Creative Confidence Podcast
For a break from the nuts and bolts of design thinking, take a listen to IDEO U’s Creative Confidence podcast. Co-managing directors Suzanne Gibbs Howard and Coe Leta Stafford talk to a variety of guests about their approach to leadership, creativity, innovation, and growth. Some recent episodes featured Daniel Coyle, bestselling author of “The Talent Code,” on leveraging tension for innovation; “Make Time” author Jake Knapp’s hacks for finding focus; IDEO founder David Kelley on the core abilities of the most successful design thinking practitioners; and Brynn Harrington, director of people growth at Facebook, on motivating employees.
6. Design & Thinking: The Movie
This documentary made the film festival rounds back in 2012 but can be a good entry point into the subject for people who prefer their design thinking info with a side of popcorn. The film tells the story of design thinking through interviews with some of its most well-known practitioners, thought leaders, and critics.
