December 8, 2021
8 weeks, online
4-6 hours per week
US$2,600 or get US$260 off with a referral
Special pricing up to 20% discount is available if you enroll with your colleagues. Please send an email to group-enrollments@emeritus.org for more information.
This program teaches a method of problem solving that will give any professional an advantage in their industry or career. It will be particularly beneficial for:
Most of us are trained in the classical school of thought—we approach opportunities from the top down. But today’s competitive environment requires us to view opportunity through a different lens; a nontraditional one that focuses on human needs. Ideas that are born from the process of design thinking ensure that outcomes meet three criteria: they are desirable, feasible, and viable—and in doing so, these outcomes create an enduring competitive advantage.
It all starts with people.
Businesses that have fully integrated design thinking into their strategy attribute the benefits of doing so to their design team.
of companies that have fully embraced design thinking report a direct impact on revenue.
of enterprises indicate a significant impact on entry into new markets.
This program will equip you to unpack your assumptions about problem solving and will teach you to approach new opportunities with the human experience in mind. In this program, you will:
A personalized field guide to reference in future design efforts
Live, interactive studio sessions with award-winning faculty and practitioners
Guest lectures from leaders in the world of design and innovation
Hands-on activities and projects providing real-world application of techniques
Collaborative opportunities with peers
Industry examples from renowned brands
A dedicated program support team
Innovative frameworks with immediate applications
Knowledge checks
Breakthrough discussions
Over the course of eight weeks, participants will be guided through the foundational principles of design thinking and will see how professionals in any role can leverage design thinking to achieve innovative outcomes across a wide spectrum of industries.
Survey the fundamentals of design thinking and learn how they apply to solving business problems. You will also learn why design thinking offers a lasting competitive advantage.
User and stakeholder input is vital to the design process. Learn how to leverage the JTBD method of interviewing to dig deeper into the functional, social, and emotional needs of people.
Discover how to transform observations and insights into business opportunities through the process of synthesis. In addition, you will understand how reframing a question can lead to deeper insights and innovative solutions.
Generate ideas using insights captured during synthesis. You will have the opportunity to practice techniques such as group brainstorming, ideation, and insight analysis during the design process.
Prototyping can serve as a powerful tool during the design process. Evaluate the different methods and techniques for prototyping ideas and test the underlying assumptions of those ideas. You will also learn about the three primary uses of prototyping: learning, validation, and communication.
New ideas frequently encounter resistance, which often comes from the very people your offering is meant to help. This module illustrates the principles of friction theory to help you recognize and address sources of resistance along the customer journey.
After identifying various domains wherein design thinking is making a significant impact, you will explore trends and developments in the field and discuss innovative applications in areas such as biotechnology, venture capital, and more.
Methods of communication can be as varied as the idea itself. Use creative techniques such as visualization and storytelling to bring your ideas to life and overcome resistance to new ideas.
Survey the fundamentals of design thinking and learn how they apply to solving business problems. You will also learn why design thinking offers a lasting competitive advantage.
Prototyping can serve as a powerful tool during the design process. Evaluate the different methods and techniques for prototyping ideas and test the underlying assumptions of those ideas. You will also learn about the three primary uses of prototyping: learning, validation, and communication.
User and stakeholder input is vital to the design process. Learn how to leverage the JTBD method of interviewing to dig deeper into the functional, social, and emotional needs of people.
New ideas frequently encounter resistance, which often comes from the very people your offering is meant to help. This module illustrates the principles of friction theory to help you recognize and address sources of resistance along the customer journey.
Discover how to transform observations and insights into business opportunities through the process of synthesis. In addition, you will understand how reframing a question can lead to deeper insights and innovative solutions.
After identifying various domains wherein design thinking is making a significant impact, you will explore trends and developments in the field and discuss innovative applications in areas such as biotechnology, venture capital, and more.
Generate ideas using insights captured during synthesis. You will have the opportunity to practice techniques such as group brainstorming, ideation, and insight analysis during the design process.
Methods of communication can be as varied as the idea itself. Use creative techniques such as visualization and storytelling to bring your ideas to life and overcome resistance to new ideas.
Each week's lesson will feature one or more industry examples, giving you the opportunity to examine how design thinking has been successfully integrated into organizations across a wide variety of markets. See unique applications from brands such as:
See how executives embraced the power of prototyping to create a more comfortable in-flight experience.
Learn how Airbnb tested their offer quickly and cheaply by creating simple prototypes with just enough fidelity to communicate the company’s ideas.
Understand how this innovative start-up removed the forces of friction to simplify the process of buying and selling a home.
Learn how Cisco successfully reimagine its virtual telepresence facilities.
Discover how insects provided unexpected inspiration for administering medications.
Explore how the company designed a pirate ship adventure to calm and engage children undergoing MRI procedures.
Note: All product and company names are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective holders. Their use does not imply any affiliation or endorsement.
David Schonthal
Clinical Professor of Innovation & Entrepreneurship, Kellogg School of Management; Designer, IDEO
David Schonthal is a Clinical Professor of Innovation & Entrepreneurship at Northwestern University's Kellogg School of Management, where he teaches courses in new venture creation, design thinking, business acquisition, healthcare entrepreneurship, corporate innovation, and creativity. He also serves as the Faculty Director of Kellogg's Zell Fellows Program, a selective venture accelerator program designed to help student entrepreneurs successfully launch or acquire new businesses.
Outside of Kellogg, David is a Designer at IDEO, an Operating Partner at 7wireVentures, a Venture Partner at Pritzker Group Venture Capital, and a Global Advisor at Design for Ventures (D4V). He has also held numerous roles in the healthcare venture capital and start-up world and the technology and life sciences sectors.
A contributing writer for Forbes, Inc., Fortune, and Harvard Business Review, David has authored articles on corporate entrepreneurship, innovation, and business design. He has been named the Most Outstanding Professor in Kellogg's EMBA program four times and has received several awards for his work, including a Kellogg Faculty Impact Award for excellence in teaching.
David earned his MBA from the Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University and his BA in international relations from Boston University.
The Human Element, his forthcoming book written in partnership with Loran Nordgren, offers innovative insights into overcoming resistance to new ideas and will be in bookstores on October 5, 2021. Learn more about the authors’ work here.
Upon successful completion of the program, Kellogg Executive Education grants a verified digital certificate of completion to participants. This program is graded as pass or fail; participants must receive 80% to pass and obtain the certificate of completion.
Download BrochureAfter successful completion of the program, your verified digital certificate will be emailed to you in the name you used when registering for the program. All certificate images are for illustrative purposes only and may be subject to change at the discretion of Kellogg Executive Education
Note: This online certificate program does not grant academic credit or a degree from Kellogg School of Management.
Flexible payment options available.
