Innovating Through Design Thinking

Innovation & Business Improvement

Next Intake: 26 May 2025 (Mon)

Basic
SkillsFuture
Full Certificates

Next course starts on

26 May 2025 (Mon) See Full Schedule

Fee

SGD8,720* (as low as SGD1,016 after maximum funding) Learn More

Duration

Step 1 - 3 days
Step 2 - 2 days
Step 3 - 4 days

Weekdays (9am - 5pm)

Level

Basic

Overview

Infusing your organisation with an innovative culture that puts the customer first may provide not only real, measurable results but also a distinct competitive advantage.

To uncover innovation opportunities within an organisation it is important to look at problems and situations with a user-centric mindset; to think differently to search for novel alternatives to existing solutions and to embrace an experimental attitude to iteratively discover what is truly useful, feasible and viable. Such skills are at the heart of good design, and they actually can be learned and honed.

Working with experienced practitioners in the field, SMU Academy has developed a unique programme to help executives, managers and business leaders integrate Human Centered Design (HCD) with their business thinking for successful innovating.

Highly interactive and done through a blend of facilitated and e-learning, this course comprises 3 parts, all inter-connected but designed for participants at different phases of their design thinking journey.

Assessment

As part of the requirement for SkillsFuture Singapore, there will be an assessment conducted at the end of each course. The mode of assessment, which is up to the trainer’s discretion, may be an online quiz, a presentation or based on classroom exercises.

Participants are required to attain a minimum of 75% attendance and pass the associated assessment for both The Fundamentals and The Advanced Applications in order to receive a digital Practitioner Certificate in Design Thinking issued by Singapore Management University.

Participants are required to attain a minimum of 75% attendance and pass the associated assessment for The Fundamentals, The Advanced Applications, and Facilitation and Design Leadership in order to receive a digital Facilitator Certificate in Design Thinking issued by Singapore Management University.

Calculate Programme Fee

Fee Table

COMPANY-SPONSORED

PARTICIPANT PROFILE

SELF-SPONSORED

SME

NON-SME

Singapore Citizen < 40 years old

Permanent Resident

LTVP+

$2,616

(After SSG Funding 70%)

$1,016

(After SSG Funding 70%
+ ETSS Funding 20%)

$2,616

(After SSG Funding 70%)

Singapore Citizen ≥ 40 years old

$1,016

(After SSG Funding 70%
+ MCES Funding 20%)

$1,016

(After SSG Funding 70%
+ ETSS Funding 20%)

$1,016

(After SSG Funding 70%
+ MCES Funding 20%)

International Participant

$8,720

(No Funding)

$8,720

(No Funding)

$8,720

(No Funding)

All prices include 9% GST

Please note that the programme fees are subject to change without prior notice.

Post Secondary Education Account (PSEA)
PSEA can be utilised for subsidised programmes eligible for SkillsFuture Credit support. Click here to find out more.

Loading schedule information...

Trainers

Jin Kang Møller

Affiliate Faculty, Executive Education Design Leadership, Design Thinking and Customer Experience

Testimonials

The skills mastered from the Innovation through Design Thinking programme has been instrumental in creating a framework to develop new services in our organisation. Very few top universities have developed Design Thinking courses with the depth of knowledge and expertise as SMU Academy has done. The practical assignments and hands-on approach of this course makes it ideal for professionals who want to make a difference in their company.

Miguel Pereira Tanco

CEO

ZOOMOOV Pte Ltd

I had a very positive experience at the design thinking programme with Jin at SMU Academy, which equipped me with skills and methods that I can apply in the workplace to innovation, strategy, and change management. Jin is an engaging teacher and our hands-on experience of managing and facilitating design thinking projects as part of the lesson plan really brought theoretical concepts to life. I also liked that we gave and received feedback from each other, and this has helped me to better understand my strengths and areas which I can develop further.

Cynthia Lim

Head of Strategic Planning

Avon

I am glad that I enrolled into the Design Thinking course and embarked on the Professional Pathway. I learned so much from Jin and the other participants. The programme has given me the tools to transform the way I work. It has also helped me apply my company values and submit an idea in our annual innovation awards - an idea that is being implemented at my organisation now.

Robert Steven Chitty

DVP

Prudential Singapore

The journey of Design Thinking with SMU has been amazing, and provided me with the opportunity to meet people from different fields. We came together as a team of strangers and grew to become a group of family-like community. We shared ideas and stories among ourselves. Design Thinking has opened up many avenues for growth and discoveries, where shared experiences and processes diverged into many possible outcomes. I feel that the courses have been informative, packed with actionable takeaways to help learners achieve real results that are aligned to best practices. It is a pleasure to acquire many practical skills and transformational experiences through this Design Thinking journey.

Ruquyah Gandhi

CEO

MERANK GLOBAL SINGAPORE

I was drawn to the Design Thinking Certification Pathway by SMU Academy because it encompasses Design Facilitation, Leadership and Innovation, and Creative Thinking and Aesthetics as a holistic approach. The programme has equipped me with a deeper understanding on the range of tools and methodology I can use to explore human-centric pain points and business problems from a place of empathy. In addition, Jin Kang Møller is an outstanding facilitator and mentor. Thank you, Jin, for sharing your knowledge and experience with us. Overall, the learning experience with SMU Academy was well-paced, interactive and engaging.

Bryant Tang

Manager, Experience Design

IHH Healthcare