IDEO U

What does your problem-solving process look like? At IDEO, the mindsets and methods of human-centered design have been a constant in our work for more than 40 years, but the tools we use are ever-changing. While technology isn’t always the best fit for the job (sometimes it’s pen and paper), it’s undeniable that AI and digital tools are an integral part of our toolkit. If you’re craving a reliable, adaptable approach to problem-solving and you’ve been curious about how to tap into the potential of AI, check out our new AI x Design Thinking Certificate Program. Learn IDEO’s human-centered approach to customer research, uncovering insights, brainstorming, ideating, prototyping – and how we supercharge it all with GenAI. Learn more at https://ideo.in/4ijFPcd

Sometimes change is something you initiate as a leader, and other times it’s something that surprises you – a new competitor, economic shifts, emerging technology. While change is a constant, it’s always a little uncomfortable. Especially so when it’s unexpected. In this Creative Confidence Podcast conversation, Melanie Bell-Mayeda, Director of UX Program and Operations for Search UX at Google and former IDEO Partner, introduced IDEO’s levers of change framework, an IDEO-adapted version of Jay Galbraith’s Star Model? framework. This model helps teams identify points of friction and design effective interventions. Leaders can find inspiration in her approach to create clarity, foster resilience, and design effective processes amidst disruption. https://ideo.in/3Fl64k7

NEW from IDEO U: Our 8-week AI x Design Thinking Certificate Program. Learn foundational design thinking skills and mindsets, paired with AI tools to enhance them, in an engaging cohort experience. ? Get certified in AI-powered Design Thinking ? Build in-depth skills and mindsets of the design thinking process ? Confidently use AI to push your thinking and unlock efficiencies Today’s complex challenges require a reliable, adaptable process for coming up with effective, human-centered solutions. Build your toolkit for innovation with the AI x Design Thinking Certificate Program. Limited-time offer: Save $300 when you enroll by April 9th. Enroll now to save your spot! https://ideo.in/3Flc8Jg

What is generative AI uniquely positioned to do, and where do we as humans shine? That question got my juices flowing this morning, diving into day 1 of IDEO U’s AI x Design Thinking workshop series. I practice human-centered design and believe it's critical to stay deeply rooted in our humanity as work becomes more and more automated and the world feels less and less human scale. But that doesn’t mean hiding from generative AI tools. And I’ll admit, I haven’t been using them as strategically as I might.?My goal is to reach a level of fluency with LLMs and diffusion models where they can be my partner in research synthesis, brainstorming, and even rapid prototyping. A few takeaways and thought-starters from today: ?? Mindsets - Approach Gen AI with the mindset of an explorer, treating it as a sandbox for testing wild ideas. Or as a collaborator, asking it to challenge our ideas to strengthen them. Most importantly, bring a human-centered mindset and use the tools responsibly —?we’re looking to augment what we can do, not automate it. Use our intuition and empathy to steer and align AI outputs to our user’s needs. ?? Prompts as design briefs - Rather than thinking of prompts as a means (input) to achieve an end (output), thinking of prompts more like design briefs —?setting the initial direction or trajectory of exploration — was a thought-shift. ?? Treat it as a conversation - Instead of asking AI for answers (search-engine model), it's more useful to ask open-ended questions that guide us to new ideas, the same way the best conversations do. Allow the conversation to evolve. I especially loved the suggestion of applying an improv lens, using the practice of “Yes, and…” to build on suggestions. ?? Make hallucinations work for you - To me, one of the most worrying pitfalls of Gen AI tools is their tendency to fabricate responses with no basis in reality. But could this "bug" actually be a feature? It had never occurred to me to use AI hallucinations as a strategic advantage for out-of-the-box thinking. In partnership with the human mind —?with its dual capabilities of imagination and judgment — AI hallucinations might unlock new ways of approaching a problem that could be powerful! Have you played around with any of these concepts as you've used generative AI —?whether knowingly or intuitively? How did they work for you? Image generated with Adobe Firefly

I just completed the IDEO U certificate in Designing Strategy. Highly recommended! It provides a fantastic framework for evaluating and creating strategy whether corporate, non-profit or any other context where thorny problems and creative solutions are required to help guide organizations. Big thanks to Roger Martin and Jennifer Riel for a great course! #leadership #strategy

"????'?? ?????????? ???????????? ???? ?????? ?????? ?????????? ?????? ???? ??????????????. ????’?? ?????? ???????? ???????????? ?????? ?????????? ?????????????????? — ???? ????????, ?????????? ?????? ???????????????? – ????????’???? ???????????? ???? ???????????? ???? ???????????? ???? ???????? ??????. ?????? ???????? ???????????? ??????, ??????????, ???????? ?????? ???? ?????? ?????? ???? ?????????????????? ?????? ??????????????????????????" - Matt Cooper-Wright, IDEO Executive Design Director One of the best quotes of the course ???????????????????? ???????? ???????? from IDEO U that I just finished. I can only recommend it - i enjoyed the content, wrote down many insights, reflected, so it was definitely time well spent! ??????????-???????????????? ???????????????? ???? ???????? is something that was very new to me, but fits perfectly with what i do every day and speaks to what i value the most. #innovation #data #humancentered #ideo

I recently completed IDEO U's Human-Centered Systems Thinking?course that deeply transformed my view of creating impact in organizations. Rather than rigid structures, I now see them as fluid systems shaped by real outcomes. Through hands-on mapping, diverse viewpoints and methods, I gained both theoretical knowledge and practical tools for meaningful change. A key insight was that formal authority isn’t essential for steering a company’s direction. By having a human-centered approach and blending strategic vision with on-the-ground actions, we can introduce improvements that feel welcomed rather than disruptive. I now better appreciate the interplay of people, processes, and technology. The course’s collaborative environment, open dialogue and genuine passion for systems thinking, showed how every organization can benefit from this approach. I’m grateful to my?instructors Biliana Vassileva and Eva Hoffmann , and my colleagues Carmen Rodriguez and Elina Laitinen, who broadened my outlook. Overall, this experience has changed my understanding of project, process, and change management, and I’m eager to apply Systems Thinking to drive sustainable change.

I’ve just completed the AI x Design Thinking Workshop Series with IDEO! This course reinforced how AI can accelerate ideation and help design solutions that truly make an impact. By combining human-centred design with AI-driven insights, I can now generate ideas faster, prototype smarter, and craft solutions that are not just innovative—but meaningful. Big thanks to IDEO U for an insightful course. Looking forward to applying these principles to create meaningful and impactful experiences!

Curious about Melanie Bell-Mayeda and her work at Google? Check out her LinkedIn profile to dive deeper into her expertise in change leadership and UX strategy: https://lnkd.in/dSgRKEtX

We’re live! Join us for a conversation with Melanie Bell-Mayeda, Director of UX, Program & Operations for Search UX at Google. Learn how to lead through uncertainty, keep your team aligned, and build trust in times of change. https://ideo.in/4idX52d