Back to Innovation Through Design: Think, Make, Break, Repeat
The University of Sydney

Innovation Through Design: Think, Make, Break, Repeat

The evolution of design has seen it become a discipline no longer limited to the concerns of a singular, specific domain and develop to become a pathway for solving complex, nonlinear problems. Design is becoming a capability-enhancing skill, equipping people with the ability to deal with uncertainty, complexity and failure. In this course, we demonstrate how you can use design as a way of thinking to provide strategic and innovative advantage within your profession. Suitable for anyone who is curious about design and translating the processes and tools of design thinking into innovative opportunities, over 5 weeks we explore, apply and practice the design process: think, make, break and repeat. Through introducing theoretical concepts and examining industry case studies with leading Australian design firms, we investigate design as learning about the context (the thinking part), building prototypes as tangible representations (the making part) and testing potential solutions (the breaking part). We build on this by showing the productive value of moving through the process quickly and often (the repeating part), to improve ideas and develop new insights. Throughout the course, you will follow us through three of Australia’s most exciting design offices and learn from practicing designers and leaders in design. This insight into industry will enable you to develop a comprehensive understanding of design and the role it can and does play within the innovation landscape. You will leave this course with a set of practical tools and techniques to apply to situations within your own professional context, to translate problems into opportunities and solutions, and ultimately to innovate through design.

Status: Design Strategies
Status: Ideation
BeginnerCourse16 hours

Featured reviews

AA

5.0Reviewed Apr 21, 2023

A good course for beginners, with everything covered from scratch, in a simple and precise language which makes concepts easy to understand and remember. Thanks Coursera!

LC

5.0Reviewed Apr 18, 2020

Amazing course with a lot of pro's advices. Of course, it's well designed !With this course, you will be able to apply this design strategy to all type of discipline and to your daily thinking.

IK

5.0Reviewed Mar 29, 2025

Good way to expand your knowledge about design making. The course is understandable, and well organized. Proud of the Team, but especially proud of me for passing. My biggest thank you.

LL

5.0Reviewed Nov 8, 2020

Great overview of the design innovation process! The content is up-to-date and the professors really go above and beyond to make the course feel like a regular university course as much as possible.

OO

5.0Reviewed May 28, 2022

This course covers the basis you need to know and understand in design. It will also expand your insight to understand that design is not just all about aestetic concern

AS

5.0Reviewed Feb 15, 2020

a light introduction to design thinking. not too taxing. easy to understand concepts with some practical applications tested. good stepping stone to more rigorous and testing design thinking courses

WW

5.0Reviewed Apr 16, 2021

Design principles taught are very practical that can be applied to everyday use. The course is well structured, and has many useful contents including valuable insights from experienced designers.

RS

5.0Reviewed Aug 29, 2021

Awesome experience. Learned a lot by undertaking the course. Willing to use it in future endeavors. Thank you University of Sydney, Professors and the entire team behind this course. Thank you again

KN

5.0Reviewed Mar 31, 2021

Thank you for the opportunity, I got alot of new insights and knowledge through this course, I hope I can join another course related to Design Innovation, let me know :)

KS

5.0Reviewed Jan 6, 2023

Absolutely wonderful! I really learnt a lot from this course and now have a strong foundation on the basis of what design really is and how to start a career in design. Thank you very

MS

5.0Reviewed May 8, 2023

THANKS TO THE UNIVERSITY OF SYDNEY THAT PROVIDES BEST CONTENRT FOR UG STUDENTS TO GRASP EXTRAORDINARY IDEAS TO DEVELOP NEW PROJECTS THAT HEPS IN GRADING IN ALL COURSES OF UG PROGRAM

LM

4.0Reviewed Apr 20, 2023

I learned a lot about design thinking, two major skills I learned was to embrace failure but to quickly repeat to 'perfection' and to listen, do the research. Thank you :)

All reviews

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