Human-Centred Design Fundamentals in an AI world
Learn how to innovate with impact — integrating Artificial Intelligence into a human-centred approach to meaningful product and service design.
Course overview
Design thinking is a human-centred approach that aids organisations to solve their most complex challenges to create positive customer experiences. This two-day course provides a comprehensive introduction to design thinking, and its relevance to business and the public sector. It is a glimpse into the world of design and the three parts of design thinking: Process, Methods and Mindset. This course emphasises those three parts of design thinking in approaching complex problems and creating successful outcomes.
In partnership with
What you'll learn
By the end of this course, participants will be able to:
1. Conduct customer ethnography to uncover deep insights into behaviours, needs, and motivations that drive meaningful innovation
2. Understand the role AI can play in significantly fast-tracking customer understanding — plan studies, analyse large volumes of customer data, and identify patterns across diverse user groups
3. Generate and refine innovative concepts from broad ideation to testable prototypes using structured design methods
4. Design and facilitate customer testing sessions to validate assumptions and iterate concepts based on real human feedback
5. Navigate the full human-centred design process from business opportunity to customer insight to prototype, avoiding the trap of jumping straight to implementation
6. Integrate AI strategically throughout the design process while maintaining essential human connection and customer engagement
Course modules
1. Gaining Empathy for Customer(s) — Learn the “art of empathy” and why “what people say they do / believe / feel / need is not actually or typically what they do / believe / feel / need”. How to work around this. We’ll explore the fundamentals of how to have a conversation with someone through the lens of observation.
2. Making Sense of Information — Once we have information, we need to know what to do with it and how to make sense of it, in a way that’s meaningful to the organisation. We’ll step through a process of pulling out key needs and the belief systems that underpin them. We’ll show how to compile this information in a useful way.
3. Idea Generation — We’ll learn how to have ideas that are meaningful. We’ll look at how ideas are different from concepts and solutions, and how to use the brain effectively to surface great ideas you can move forward with. We’ll also introduce the idea of how to have ground breaking ideas that can help you to outshine your competitors.
4. Building Prototypes (to learn) — Before we test a prototype with customers we need to build one. As we build a prototype it’s an amazing opportunity to flesh out our concept. We’ll help understand how building a prototype at this stage is different from what you may be used to. And the importance of, and how to build lo-fi and life-size.
5. Testing Prototypes with Customers — Finally we’ll look at how to put your prototype in the hands of your customer(s) and learn information that will be useful in reshaping your concept, moving it through to your final solution.
Further Information
Format
This course is delivered as a two-day in-person workshop at our Wellington venue. It includes a mix of facilitator-led sessions, small-group exercises, and whole-group discussion. Group size is limited to 16 participants to ensure meaningful interaction and personal feedback. Morning tea, lunch, and afternoon tea are provided to support networking and collaboration.
What You'll Receive
You will receive a digital certificate of attendance and a Wellington Uni-Professional digital badge. These include the Continuing Professional Development (CPD) hours completed, making them suitable for recognition by professional organisations and employers.
Here's what others are saying
“Great facilitation. I thought presenters created content and the theory / practice balance just right.”
“It was a great day and I really felt like I had some practical tools to take away and start using. I think people will be really engaged in this approach and it will allow us to build on our initial thinking.”
Upcoming Courses & Delivery Options
08 Apr 2026 | Wellington
Duration: 2 days
$NZD 1,795
excl. GST
08 Jul 2026 | Wellington
Duration: 2 days
$NZD 1,795
excl. GST
06 Oct 2026 | Wellington
Duration: 2 days
$NZD 1,795
excl. GST
Can’t make these dates or want a private course?
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