1. The Ability to Immerse Yourself in the Experiences and Stories of Real People
Work at the ANO Design Thinking Center is always built around practical challenges. In the 16th cohort, the project brief for the Practitioner level was provided by our alumni from DDX Fitness, a Russian fitness club chain.
The business goal was clear yet challenging: to attract people who had never exercised before and help them take their first step toward a healthy lifestyle.
While working with the brief, students conducted in-depth interviews not only with club members but also with trainers. This approach made it possible to view the service from multiple perspectives. Today, Total Experience is one of the key success factors for any organization, which is why the ability to deeply understand the experiences of all participants in the service journey is an essential and in-demand skill.
Olga, graduate of the 16th cohort of the Customer Experience Researcher course (Practitioner 1):
“For me, it was important to gain real hands-on experience—to actually use the tools that are discussed in lectures. I especially enjoyed working in teams. Step by step, we learned how to apply different methods, and now I will definitely use them in my work. If you are ready to fully immerse yourself in an intensive program for one and a half to two months, this course gives you exactly what you are looking for.”
2. Visual Literacy and a Broad Perspective
Designing new experiences is like preparing a dish made from many ingredients. To find strong solutions, it is important to work not only with current problems but also with context: trends, new technologies, user expectations, and best practices from various industries.
Practitioner-level students sought inspiration and data from a wide range of sources and fields of knowledge. The broader the perspective and the richer the visual and experiential exposure, the more opportunities there are to create truly effective solutions.
The learning process actively combines methodologies and tools, as well as strategic, tactical, analytical, and systems thinking. All of this helps participants design unique business processes, product solutions, and service standards that can be applied in real work environments.
3. Courage and Responsibility for Implementation
Knowledge alone does not guarantee application. For ideas to become part of a business, it is crucial to clearly understand how the user experience will change after implementation, to be able to justify decisions, and to take responsibility for them.
The methodological tools and frameworks mastered during the course helped students structure their thinking, form a holistic vision of a new service model, and confidently present it to representatives of the client company.
The results spoke for themselves. Here is feedback from the business partner:
“The project delivered by the course graduates demonstrated a high level of engagement and professionalism. The teams were able to see our service through the customer’s eyes and propose ideas that are already applicable in the business. This is exactly the kind of experience that will help us improve our customer experience.”
Want to Develop the “Design Thinking” Competency Holistically?
If you want to fully master all three components—deep immersion in user experience, broad perspective, and the courage to implement—join the new cohort of the Customer Experience Researcher course at the Practitioner level of the international certification system d.standards.
Program start: March / April
Each graduate receives:
- a state-recognized certificate of advanced professional training;
- an international certificate;
- a digital blockchain badge confirming qualification.
Learn more about the program and register on our website: dtcenter.ru/dstandards
