Design thinking is a free introductory course from The Open University on OpenLearn that treats design as a way of solving problems rather than a set of software skills. It encourages you to look critically at the designed objects and images around you, and then to structure your own creativity to improve them. You can start reading immediately without an account; signing up adds progress tracking, quizzes, and a free statement of participation.
Four sections, from noticing to communicating
| Section | Focus | Practical value for graphic design |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Before you begin | the attitude and tools of a designer | adopting playfulness and curiosity as working methods |
| 2. Design around us | analysing everyday designed objects and images | training the eye to see why something works or fails |
| 3. Composition in design | how elements are arranged in a frame | using the rule of thirds and visual balance |
| 4. Complex information | presenting information clearly | organising data and messages so people understand them |
The course resources include an interactive rule-of-thirds activity, which lets you test how placement changes the impact of an image.
Why it belongs in a graphic design path
Most graphic design tutorials start with a program. This course starts with judgement: why one poster reads clearly and another feels cluttered, or why a chart communicates and another confuses. The section on composition covers the same ideas that guide any layout, and the section on complex information is directly useful for infographics, reports, and presentations.
Its stated learning outcomes include developing visual literacy and being able to explain design decisions, a skill that matters as much as technical ability when presenting work to a client or a team.
Who it suits
The course is introductory and assumes no design background, so it suits beginners, students considering a design-related field, and professionals who create visual materials without formal training. It was first published in 2012 and updated in 2018, and some references to online tools reflect that period, but its core principles do not depend on any particular software.
Putting it into practice
- While reading section 2, photograph five designed objects or posters you encounter in one day and note what each does well.
- Use the rule-of-thirds activity, then recompose one of your own photos using the same principle.
- Take a dense page of information, such as a timetable or price list, and redesign it using the ideas in section 4.
- Continue with a software resource in this category, such as the Inkscape guide or the Photoshop course, to turn your sketches into finished designs.