Master Design Thinking: Online Course by IIT Madras Professors | 4-Week Primer
Course Details
| Exam Registration | 9127 |
|---|---|
| Course Status | Ongoing |
| Course Type | Elective |
| Language | English |
| Duration | 4 weeks |
| Categories | Management Studies |
| Credit Points | 1 |
| Level | Undergraduate/Postgraduate |
| Start Date | 19 Jan 2026 |
| End Date | 13 Feb 2026 |
| Enrollment Ends | 02 Feb 2026 |
| Exam Registration Ends | 16 Feb 2026 |
| Exam Date | 28 Mar 2026 IST |
| NCrF Level | 4.5 — 8.0 |
Unlock Innovative Problem-Solving with Design Thinking: A Primer from IIT Madras
In today's fast-paced and complex world, a systematic approach to solving human-centered problems is not just an advantage—it's a necessity. Enter Design Thinking, a powerful methodology that starts and ends with the people we aim to serve. We are excited to introduce a foundational 4-week course, "Design Thinking - A Primer," brought to you by distinguished faculty from the Indian Institute of Technology Madras (IIT Madras). This course is meticulously crafted for undergraduates, postgraduates, and professionals eager to harness a structured framework for innovation.
Learn from Renowned IIT Madras Faculty
This primer is led by two exceptional instructors who blend profound academic expertise with real-world entrepreneurial and industry experience.
Prof. Ashwin Mahalingam
Prof. Ashwin Mahalingam joined the Civil Engineering department at IIT Madras in 2006. An alumnus of IIT Madras and Stanford University, his career spans pioneering research in Public Private Partnerships (PPPs) and digital construction technologies to co-founding a tech startup. His deep understanding of managing large-scale projects brings a unique, governance-focused perspective to the design thinking process.
Dr. Bala Ramadurai
Dr. Bala Ramadurai is a dynamic entrepreneur, professor, and innovation coach. As CEO of Spirelia, he builds AI tools for innovation. With over 15 years of global experience at companies like GE and Mercedes-Benz, and as the author of Karmic Design Thinking, he translates theory into actionable, industry-ready strategies. His passion for teaching has impacted over 100,000 students worldwide.
Who Is This Course For?
This course is designed for a broad audience:
- Students (Undergraduate/Postgraduate): Looking to add a potent problem-solving skill to your toolkit.
- Professionals: In fields like ICT, Manufacturing, Sales, Marketing, and Management seeking to drive user-centric innovation.
- Aspiring Entrepreneurs: Wanting to validate ideas and build solutions that truly resonate with users.
- Anyone: Interested in a structured, human-first approach to tackling challenges in any domain.
Industry Support: The need for design thinking is widely recognized across sectors including technology, manufacturing, sales, and marketing, making this skill highly valuable and transferable.
Course Layout: Your 4-Week Journey to Mastering Design Thinking
The course is structured to guide you step-by-step through the core phases of the Design Thinking process.
| Week | Module | Key Focus Areas |
|---|---|---|
| Week 1 | Introduction to Design Thinking | Understanding the philosophy, principles, and the 5-phase framework of this human-centered methodology. |
| Week 2 | Empathize Phase: Customer Journey Mapping | Learning techniques to deeply understand user needs, pains, and experiences through observation and journey mapping. |
| Week 3 | Analyze Phase: 5-Whys and "How Might We" | Defining the core problem by digging to the root cause (5-Whys) and reframing challenges into opportunities (How Might We questions). |
| Week 4 | Solve & Make/Test Phases: Ideation & Prototyping | Generating a wide range of ideas through free brainstorming and building simple prototypes to test and refine solutions quickly. |
Essential Learning Resources
Prescribed Textbook
The primary textbook for this course is the insightful "Karmic Design Thinking" by Prof. Bala Ramadurai himself. It is available in multiple formats:
- Amazon (Paperback)
- Amazon (e-book)
- Flipkart
- Pothi
Recommended References
- Design: Creation of Artifacts in Society by Prof. Karl Ulrich, University of Pennsylvania.
- Change by Design by Tim Brown, CEO of IDEO.
Got Questions?
For common queries about Design Thinking, visit the comprehensive FAQ resource curated by Dr. Bala Ramadurai: Ask the DT Doc Series.
Why Enroll in This Design Thinking Primer?
This course is more than just an academic module; it's a practical toolkit for life. You will learn a repeatable process to:
- Develop deep empathy for users and stakeholders.
- Articulate and reframe complex problems clearly.
- Brainstorm creatively and without constraints.
- Build, test, and iterate on tangible solutions.
- Apply these skills to challenges in management, technology, social sectors, and your daily life.
Under the expert guidance of Prof. Ashwin Mahalingam and Dr. Bala Ramadurai, you will gain not only knowledge but also the confidence to apply design thinking to create meaningful impact. Enroll today and begin your journey to becoming a more innovative and effective problem-solver.
Enroll Now →