Course Description
This course empowers data practitioners to approach problems with a human-centered mindset, fostering innovation and meaningful impact. Blending creative thinking with analytical rigor, the course guides learners through the five stages of design thinking—empathize, define, ideate, prototype, and test—while grounding each phase in real-world data challenges. Learners translate business needs into user-centric data solutions, foster cross-functional collaboration, and build prototypes that can lead to scalable innovations. Whether you're a data analyst, scientist, or engineer, this course helps you move beyond numbers to design solutions that truly resonate with users and stakeholders.
Course Curriculum
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1
Understanding Human Centered Design and Role of Empathy
- Course Syllabus
- Getting Started
- Disclaimer
- How do people make decisions?
- Understanding Empathy
- What is Human-Centered Design?
- Human Centered Design Process
- Quiz
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2
Discovery through Research Phase
- Introduction to User Research
- Understand the Context
- Understand the Context | Activity Explained
- Activity 1: Understand the Context
- Prepare for User Research
- Areas of Enquiry
- Conduct the Research
- Conduct the Research | Activity Explained
- Activity 2: Conduct the Research
- Quiz
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3
Insights through Synthesis Phase
- Introduction to Synthesis
- Structure the Information
- Cluster the Information
- Define Needs
- A step-by-step guide to translate research into actionable insights
- Reframe the Problem
- Reframe the Problem | Activity Explained
- Activity 3: Making sense of User Inputs
- Activity 4: Reframe the Problem
- Quiz
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4
Brainstorming through Ideation Phase
- Introduction to Ideation
- Brainstorm to Generate Ideas
- Brainstorm to Generate ideas | Activity Explained
- Handling Missing Values and Modifying the Dataset
- Activity 5: Brainstorm to Generate Ideas
- Cluster the Ideas
- Activity 6: Cluster the Ideas
- Prioritize the Ideas
- Quiz
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5
Prototyping through Experimentation Phase
- Introduction to Experimentation
- Helping Hong Kong embrace a cashless future
- Detail the Idea
- Build a Prototype
- Build a Prototype | Activity Explained
- Activity 7: Build a Prototype
- Test the Prototype
- Prototyping in Design Thinking
- Test the Prototype | Activity Explained
- Activity 8: Test the Prototype
- Conclusion
- Quiz
Who Should Enroll?
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Data analysts, scientists, and engineers seeking user-focused problem-solving skills
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BI and analytics professionals aiming to drive data-led innovation
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Product managers collaborating with data teams
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Key Takeaways
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Learn to apply the five stages of design thinking to data challenges
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Develop user-centric solutions that align with business goals
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Enhance collaboration across data and non-data teams
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Build prototypes to test and refine data-driven ideas
Course Instructor
Shikha Kanakia - Design Consultant - Research and Strategy (Grade 8), Fractal
Shikha is a Designer and Researcher who holds a Masters Degree in Service Experience Design from the London College of Communication. I have worked on diverse projects across the United Kingdom, India, and Somalia, primarily focused on Healthcare, Social Innovation, and Business Strategy.
Her current focus is to find innovative ways to integrate design into AI and engineering projects at Fractal Analytics. Additionally, she has authored a book that aims to simplify complex design concepts, methods, and tools through illustrated comics.
Course Instructor
Khushboo Vartak - Design Lead, Fractal
Khushboo is a seasoned design researcher and strategist with over 13 years of experience across industries, currently leading design at Fractal Experience. An alumna of NIFT and ISDI Mumbai, she works at the intersection of design and data science, crafting human-centered AI and analytics solutions. Previously, she led user research at Godrej Consumer Products, driving innovation across diverse markets and product categories. Beyond work, she shares her passion through teaching at design institutes and exploring indoor farming.
Course Instructor
Hemantkumar Das - Design Consultant II, Fractal
Hemantkumar Das is an Interface Designer who has a passion for people, understanding their needs and behaviour with clean, modern design. He loves learning, working on my craft and pushing himself to improve. He never wants to stop learning about design, people & technology.
FAQs
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Q. Do I need prior design experience to take this course?
A. No prior design experience is required—this course is tailored for data professionals new to design thinking.
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Q. Is this course technical or creative?
A. It blends both—while grounded in data, the focus is on creative, human-centered problem solving.
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Q. Can this course help in real business projects?
A. Absolutely. The methods taught are directly applicable to solving real-world data and business problems.
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Q. Is there a certificate of completion?
A. Yes, participants will receive a certificate upon successfully completing the course.
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Q. Who is the ideal learner for this course?
A. Anyone working with data—analysts, scientists, engineers, or managers—who wants to create more user-centric solutions.