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Design Thinking: Empathizing to Understand the Problem

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Blueprint for impact

Get a look at the pillars shaping this course.

While development is still underway, these highlights offer an early look at the skills and outcomes you’ll be working toward:

Flexible. Applied. Built for business.

Exploring this for your team, not just yourself? You’re in the right place. This course is still in development, making it an ideal time to explore how it could support your workforce goals. Whether you're planning ahead or seeking a strategic fit, we’ll help tailor the experience so it delivers value for your team from day one.

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Design Thinking: Empathizing to Understand the Problem

RITx Course

Build empathy and research skills to deeply understand user needs, uncover root problems, and lay the foundation for innovative, user-centered design solutions.

Online
6 Weeks
Entry Level

Course description

Designing a successful and innovative solution requires creative ideas and their iteration. As critical phases of the design thinking process, ideation and iteration are often what distinguish design thinking from traditional or linear problem-solving approaches. This course, part of the Design Thinking MicroMasters program, will explain and provide context and instruction on essential ideation techniques such as:

  • Brainstorming
  • Mind mapping
  • Role playing
  • Storyboarding
  • Concept sketching
  • Model making
  • Strategic idea mapping

After ideation, the solution(s) that best address the original problem are chosen to present. This course will discuss best practices for selecting solutions and common pitfalls to avoid when communicating solutions to a client.

Course outcomes

  • Recognize users' emotional responses to products, environments, and services in various contexts.
  • Understand and apply a holistic approach to problem-solving.
  • Plan and execute research activities to gather and analyze data from a user-centered perspective.
  • Demonstrate creative methods to document user needs and illustrate potential future solutions.

The learning experience

Cost

Why this course matters
Employer Demand
Employer Demand
This demand score is based on real-time job posting data from Lightcast. It reflects employer demand for the skills taught in this course, drawn from millions of job listings across industries and regions.
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This course is designed by RIT and delivered on the edX platform. Enrollment is available exclusively at edx.org. Please visit the edX website to explore more detailed information about pricing options, start dates, time commitment and more.

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Skills taught in this course
Strategic Thinking
Audience Analysis
Innovation
Problem-solving
Communication
Communication Strategies
Top job titles using these skills
Job Titles
These top job titles and salary ranges are based on real-time job posting data from Lightcast. They reflect roles that commonly seek the skills taught in this course, drawn from millions of listings across industries and locations.
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Badge awarded upon completion.
Credly Badge
Upon successful completion, you’ll earn a digital badge from RIT Certified via Credly. It’s shareable, verifiable, and showcases your skills to employers on LinkedIn, resumes, and more.

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This course may have multiple start dates.
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No open sections.

You will be directed to our secure course registration and payment system.

Ready when you are

This course is not currently open for enrollment, but that doesn’t mean the opportunity has to wait.

If this course aligns with your goals or your team’s needs, let us know. Your interest helps us plan future sessions and may even accelerate the timeline. We also offer custom options for organizations looking to run tailored versions of this experience.

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Insight

Value

Flexible. Applied. Built for business.

Exploring this for your team, not just yourself? You're in the right place. RIT Certified courses and certificates deliver high-impact ROI whether used off the shelf or tailored with our team to align with your workforce strategy. Each offering builds in-demand skills that help teams grow, retain talent, and stay ahead in a world of constant change. We don’t just deliver training. We help you plan for what’s next.

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