Design Thinking in Practice
Reframe. Rethink. Resolve
DEVELOP PRACTICAL CREATIVE PROBLEM-SOLVING CAPABILITY WITH DESIGN THINKING
Apply human-centred approaches to real organisational challenges
Design Thinking is a human-centred approach to creative problem solving that helps individuals and teams better understand complex challenges, identify meaningful opportunities, and develop tested, practical solutions.
Design Thinking in Practice is a three-day, in-person executive education programme focused on applied learning. Through a learn-by-doing approach, participants work with real challenges to develop the mindset, methods, and tools needed to make progress on the issues that matter most in their professional context. The Hasso Plattner d-school Afrika at the University of Cape Town focuses on cultivating design-led ways of working that support collaboration, experimentation, and learning in complex environments.
Aimed at professionals, the Design Thinking in Practice programme is an immersive, practice-led introduction to the design thinking process. Participants learn how to co-create solutions for real-world problems using established design thinking methods, supported by experienced practitioner coaches. The programme emphasises applied learning throughout, enabling participants to work differently within their teams and organisations.
Participants will develop:
- Insight into human-centred and creative problem-solving approaches
- Confidence in applying creative and critical thinking in practice
- The ability to collaborate effectively in multidisciplinary teams
- Practical experience using the design thinking process across a range of contexts
THE HASSO PLATTNER D-SCHOOL AFRIKA
The Hasso Plattner d-school Afrika at the University of Cape Town is a learning environment focused on building human-centred design thinking capability through practice-based education and applied work.
Through immersive programmes like Design Thinking in Practice, the d-school supports professionals to develop practical problem-solving skills, collaborative ways of working, and the confidence to apply design thinking to real challenges in their organisations and contexts, particularly within African and global settings.
The video highlights how these principles are applied in practice through the Design Thinking in Practice programme.
Learn with the best
Our Internationally acclaimed researchers and teachers are all dedicated and gifted individuals who contribute directly to UCT GSB's reputation of excellence.
Head: Executive Education
Manager: Executive Education Recruitment
Director: Hasso Plattner d-school Afrika
FAQ
- A professional involved in leading projects, driving change, or solving complex problems
- Working in an organisation seeking more human-centred, design-led ways of working
- Looking for practical tools and methods for creative problem solving
- Part of, or leading, multidisciplinary teams and aiming to collaborate more effectively
- Interested in developing and applying human-centred solutions to real-world challenges
- Practical experience working with the core stages of the design thinking process and its key tools
- Hands-on exposure to empathy, insight generation, problem framing, ideation, prototyping, and testing
- A deeper understanding of human-centred problem solving and the importance of context
- The ability to collaborate effectively in multidisciplinary and diverse teams
- Greater confidence in creative thinking and structured problem solving
- Experience using low-cost experimentation and prototyping to test ideas early
- The capability to apply design thinking methods in a range of professional and organisational contexts
- Participants are required to commit to being fully present and available for the duration of the programme
- Participants will work in small teams
- Each team is supported by a dedicated d-school coach throughout the course
Three-day, in-person programme at the Hasso Plattner d-school Afrika, located on UCT’s Middle Campus
- 12 - 14 May 2026
- 11 - 13 August 2026
- 3 - 5 November 2026
TAKE THE FIRST STEP TODAY
Build practical capabilities to solve complex problems and lead change.
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