Design Thinking Innovation
Unlock your creative problem-solving potential with this transformative 4-week online course that combines human-centered design principles with innovative business strategies. You'll master the design thinking process from empathy and ideation to prototyping and testing, learning to tackle complex challenges with fresh perspectives. Through hands-on projects and expert mentoring, you'll develop the mindset and methodologies used by leading innovators to create breakthrough solutions. Perfect for professionals seeking to enhance their creative capabilities, drive innovation, and deliver user-centered solutions in any industry.
4 weeks
Innovation Certificate
£490
What you'll learn
Human-Centered Problem Definition & Empathy Building
Learn to identify and frame complex problems through the lens of user needs and experiences. You'll master research techniques, empathy mapping, and stakeholder analysis to understand your users deeply and uncover insights that drive meaningful innovation rather than assumptions.
1Creative Ideation & Breakthrough Thinking
Develop systematic approaches to generate innovative ideas and break through conventional thinking patterns. You'll explore brainstorming techniques, lateral thinking methods, and collaborative ideation processes that unlock creative solutions to seemingly impossible challenges.
2Rapid Prototyping & Iterative Testing
Master the art of bringing ideas to life quickly and cost-effectively through prototyping techniques suitable for any industry. You'll learn to build testable versions of your concepts, gather meaningful feedback, and iterate rapidly to refine solutions before major investments.
3User Experience Design & Service Innovation
Understand how to design experiences and services that truly meet user needs while achieving business objectives. You'll explore journey mapping, touchpoint analysis, and service design principles that create seamless, engaging experiences across digital and physical environments.
4Innovation Strategy & Implementation Planning
Learn to align creative solutions with business strategy and develop realistic implementation roadmaps. You'll master techniques for building business cases for innovation, managing stakeholder buy-in, and overcoming organisational resistance to new ideas and approaches.
5Leading Innovation Teams & Creative Collaboration
Develop the skills to facilitate creative processes and lead diverse teams through innovation projects. You'll learn to create psychological safety for creativity, manage collaborative workshops, and build innovation cultures that sustain creative thinking within organisations.
6
ACEL @ IHCL - The modern, inclusive approach to learning
A radically learner-centred model
- Activity, not passivity — engaging, neo-experiential learning.
- Timetables to suit your life and requirements.
- Flexible assessment modes based on student preferences.
- A pedagogic approach which puts **YOUR** learning at the centre of everything WE do.
- Regular **one-on-one check-ins** with dedicated academic coaches and mentors.
- Vibrant student communities online and on campus.
- Lifelong alumni support, mentoring, and career connections.
Study Modes That Fit Real Lives
We know today's learners are busy — professionals, parents, carers, entrepreneurs.
That's why we designed **flexible delivery** modes for courses that can be studied anytime, anywhere
Uniquely, we offer:
Chunked, bite-sized learning materials for ease of engagement.
Flexible assessment options: essays, projects, presentations, or portfolios.
Small-group, hands-on activities instead of passive lectures.
Embedded professional development & soft skills training.
A Home for Diverse Learners
We don't believe in barriers — we believe in building bridges
Mature learners returning to education.
Neurodiverse students seeking supportive environments.
International students looking for a UK-based experience.
Career-changers seeking upskilling or reskilling.
Students from underrepresented or disadvantaged backgrounds.
ACEL @ IHCL
At IHCL, we don't just teach theory — we build **confidence, resilience, and competence** through real-world learning.
Our Pedagogical Approach: Adaptive Chunked Experiential Learning (ACEL):
Students learn in manageable, meaningful blocks.
Apply knowledge through live briefs, simulations, and collaborative projects.
Reflect, stretch their growth zone, and put learning into practice — in studies and in life.
The ACEL Model
At IHCL you will learn via a unique pedagogic approach: Adaptive Chunked Experiential Learning.
Every week, your learning will consist of six key learning elements. These form the IHCL ACEL MODEL, designed to deepen learning through cumulative, scaffolded, and experiential engagement:
Learning Toolbox
Learning Toolbox
establish foundational study skills & strategies for effective learning
Expert Input
Expert Input
content in a variety of formats – mini lectures, videos, podcasts, readings etc
Experiential Challenge Zone
Experiential Challenge Zone
a chance for real world experiential learning
Checkpoint
Checkpoint
an assessment opportunity
Feedback Corner
Feedback Corner
feedback from your academic support team to improve your work and to help you grow. This will be given to you at a minimum of once per week in a convenient way - written, voicenotes, 1:1 - whatever suits you!
Thinking Space
Thinking Space
an opportunity for reflection, a chance to internalise, to make sense of your learning, and to connect the experience to self, learning, or future goals
Learning Toolbox (Study Skills)
Establish foundational study skills & strategies
Expert Input (Content Delivery)
Lectures, videos, readings, podcasts
Experiential Challenge Zone (Real-world Learning)
Apply knowledge in real-world contexts
Checkpoint (Assessment)
Measure progress & understanding
Feedback Corner (Formative Input)
Weekly formative & summative feedback
Thinking Space (Reflection)
Reflect, internalize, make connections
