Live Courses | Foundations
RESEARCH & SENSEMAKING
Beyond Observation: From Research Exploration to Actionable Insights
Products and experiences are best executed with a deep understanding of the world – the people in it, the systems at play, and the contexts in which their work will live. In this course, you will learn how to responsibly and effectively explore the complexities of the human world, articulate your findings, and develop a well-informed perspective to drive meaningful and impactful outcomes.
Who should take this course?
Early to Mid-Level Researchers
Grow your ability to turn synthesized data into compelling narratives that speak to broader audiences and more effectively drive change on teams.
Product Designers
Develop a deeper understanding of user needs and behaviors, create more informed and innovative design solutions, and communicate their insights compellingly to stakeholders
Product Managers
Enhance your capacity to understand user needs, guide the development of user-centered products, communicate effectively with design and development teams
Course Summary
Learn how to conduct qualitative research, synthesize data, and uncover insights to inform impactful design decisions.
Key Details
Format: Live instruction from AC4D faculty, including office hours
Schedule: Mondays & Wednesdays, 7-9 PM CST
Duration: 10 weeks
Tuition: $4,000 $2,550
Location: Remote
Upcoming Courses
📆 June 9, 2025
📌 Enrollments close approximately two weeks before each course begins.
This course will enable you to:
Articulate the purpose of design research, including framing, methods and implementation plans.
Apply methods of qualitative design research, including contextual inquiry, participatory design and cultural probes, in the context of a large-scale interaction design problem.
Apply methods of design synthesis, including affinity diagramming, data mapping, and workflow modeling in the context of a large-scale interaction design problem.
Understand data from quantitative to qualitative and the basics for using quantitative data for generative research.
Articulate the principles of qualitative design research, how they differ from and complement other research methods.
Articulate the role and value of design research and synthesis when trying to solve wicked problems.
Produce compelling narratives and viewpoints for a non-design audience that cultivate empathy, tame chaos, and illuminate opportunities for productive action.
Curriculum
Week 1: Introduction to Design Research, Planning & Methodologies
Week 2: Preparing for Research Recruitment
Week 3: Conducting Research
Week 4: Continuing Conducting Research
Week 5: Introduction to Synthesis
Week 6: Introduction to Work & Concept Models
Week 7: Developing Insights
Week 8: Creating Actionable Implications
Week 9: Defining Problem Statements
Week 10: Presenting a Research Narrative
