According to McKinsey, design-led companies outperform publicly listed companies by as much as 100% over a five-year period in multiple countries and industries (The business value of design | McKinsey 2018).
In this weekend course, we will introduce and apply a number of commonly used Design Thinking methods, a range of frameworks & theories and number of case studies. We will also showcase a number of ways that Design Thinking can be effectively implemented in your organisation.
This course is for anyone who faces challenging situations in work, 3rd sector, voluntary or domestic environments where harnessing the power of a small diverse team could yield extraordinary and unexpected solutions. This is especially relevant for team leads, managers and directors.
Key Information
Dates: 12 -14 September 2025
Duration: 12hours of teaching, delivered over Friday-Sunday
Application Deadline: TBC
Location: Warwick Conference Centres at the University of Warwick campus in Coventry, CV4 7AL
Delegates on the course can expect to explore the following key topics:
An introduction to commonly used Design Thinking methods
Practical application of Design Thinking to solve challenges
Real-world case studies of Design Thinking in action
Learning Outcome
By the end of the module, delegates will be able to:
Use a range of Design Thinking methods for effective collaboration
Design ‘with not for’ people using user-centric design principles and techniques
Generate next steps to delivering solutions as a diverse team
Reflect and make progress on their current challenge(s)
Draw inspiration from case studies to solve future challenges
Evaluate how their approach to solving problems and implementing change has altered
Be a confident change agent
Develop a sense of designerly curiosity, observation and approach
Tackle challenges in a more creative, collaborative and inclusive manner
Understand Design Thinking concepts and their underlying principles
Connect and network with like-minded people and have some fun
Strengthen support for Design Thinking initiatives
Develop transformative design thinking skills for personal growth, career development and innovation
Develop meaningful challenge statements
Challenge a conventional mindset
* All delegates will receive a University of Warwick certificate of attendance.
Teaching Methods
There will be 12 hours of teaching delivery over the weekend, made up of:
This course is delivered as a series of workshops
Delegates are taken through a series of experiences after which we discuss some principles and theory
We use experiential and participatory teaching and learning {pedagogies}
We simulate a work environment to address a challenge
We facilitate the group to collaborate and achieve results
We apply the principle of: Experience First; Discuss Second
Provide opportunities to clarify and ask questions
We break free of the usual academic restrictions
Timetable
Friday
Saturday
Sunday
15:00 - Accommodation check-in available
19:00 - Welcome Drinks Reception and Registration
19:30 - Group Dinner with Guest Speaker
08:00 - Breakfast
08:45 - Registration/Refreshments (for those unable to attend Friday evening)
09:30 - Introduction to the Weekend
10:00 - 17:00 - Teaching, with refreshment breaks and Networking Lunch
18:30 - Group Dinner
20:00 - Group Work
08:00 - Breakfast
09:00 - 12:30 - Teaching, with refreshment breaks
12:30 - Networking Lunch
13:30 - Close
The course is suitable for anyone who is new to Design Thinking and for people who would like to improve their Design Thinking skills.
The course is delivered in an introductory format suitable for those with no previous knowledge of Design Thinking.
This course is an introductory level course, so there are no entry requirements.
Applying
To apply for this course, please complete ourshort, online registration form. You will be asked for your personal details and your professional details.
Once you submit your registration, a member of our team will review the information. You can expect to receive an email update within 3 working days, either requesting further information, or offering you a place on the course.
To secure your place on the course, you will need to submit a Purchase Order number and invoicing details for the course fee, or alternatively, can pay the course fee online via debit/credit card - full guidance (including deadlines) will be provided in the offer email.
The course fee is £2100.
What is included:
The course fee includes all teaching sessions and course materials, as well as a certificate of completion.
Delegates will enjoy bed-and-breakfast accommodation at one of Warwick Conferences’ premier venues
All meals and refreshments provided throughout the weekend
Access to Warwick Sport’s impressive gym and swimming facilities is also included.
What is not included:
Travel to attend the programme and any visas for international delegates
Ed Watson
Modern Elder, Design Thinking Facilitator & Associate Lecturer
I design and facilitate workshops to unleash creativity and the power to solve difficult challenges for teams using collaborative, multi-skilled, human/life centric techniques. I use a mixture of Design Thinking, Lean Startup and Agile tools and techniques.
I have taught optional Design Thinking for Social Impact modules at the University for both Undergraduate and Masters students.
At Accenture I designed and facilitated workshops for executive & senior teams to address significant business challenges.
Dr Tom Ritchie
SFHEA–Reader, Student Experience Director & Educational Innovation Leader
I design and facilitate transformative educational experiences at the University of Warwick's Department of Chemistry, specialising in co-creation methodologies and design thinking to enhance student belonging and solve complex educational challenges. I have led the award-winning 'We are Chemistry' programme, recipient of the Royal Society of Chemistry Inclusion and Diversity Prize, using collaborative approaches to transform departmental culture. At Warwick, I serve as Education for Sustainable Development Lead and co-lead the Building Belonging Project with AdvanceHE, applying design thinking principles to create scalable frameworks for inclusive learning environments across institutions. As Senior Consultant at Coole Insight Ltd, I also work with Independent Higher Education institutions to leverage student voice, bringing expertise in human-centred design and collaborative problem-solving to diverse organisational challenges.
Rebecca Dilipen
Teaching Assistant
Rebecca completed postgraduate-level training in Design Thinking for Social Impact (Level 7, FHEQ) at the University of Warwick in 2023. She has facilitated workshops for students, management teams, SMEs and members of the community. With a wide-ranging background in consulting, teaching, customer service and deep tech social enterprise development, she brings a layered approach to design thinking facilitation and this course. She also has a notable MSc in Humanitarian Engineering with Sustainability and BSc in Economics, and believes problem-solving agency is key to all levels of wellbeing - personal, organisational and societal.
