Attending this course and passing the exam earns 1 UX Certification credit, which also counts towards the optional Interaction Design Specialty.
Learn more about NN/g's UX Certification Program.
Effective Ideation Techniques for UX Design
Systematic methods for creative solutions to any UX design or redesign challenge
What You Will Learn
What You Will Learn
You’ll learn tried-and-true best practices for ideation and creative collaboration.
You’ll leave this course with a list of ideation techniques, which will serve as ideation tools to empower you to approach your design challenges systematically and with a fresh perspective. Additionally, you’ll understand how to combine those techniques and make them work for your unique team and project.
Topics Covered
Topics Covered
- Balancing your ideation process so your ideas are creative yet user-centered
- Nurturing and encouraging creativity on your team
- Understanding why group ideation often fails, and how to fix it
- The benefits and hazards of using a multidisciplinary ideation team
- Strategies to address common group ideation problems
- Where to look for inspiration and find the ‘raw materials’ needed to generate useful UX design ideas
- Why user research is critical for ideation
- How to utilize user research as an ideation tool
- Parallel design methods
- Directed vs. non-directed design exploration
- How to combine parallel design with other ideation techniques
- Systematic prediction: Turning the clock back from future dream goals to current practical design
- How to discuss design decisions in a productive way
- Warm up games: How to encourage a spirit of playfulness and creativity in a team
- Next steps after an ideation session
Format
Format
The basis of the course is a lecture format with many group exercises to reinforce and practice the ideation techniques.
The course also includes:
- Opportunities to ask questions and get answers about your ideation process
- Interactive discussions and exercises to help you practice applying these ideation techniques
Related Course
Related Course
NN/g offers two hands-on courses which focus on the ideation phase of the UX design process, but these courses address two different approaches to ideation:
-
Effective Ideation Techniques for UX Design, the course described on this page, covers a variety of methods for improving the quality, creativity, and diversity of your UX design ideas. The course also addresses how to solve common problems with group ideation.
- Generating Big Ideas from Needs Statements is a different course which focuses on creating transformative ideas by exploring current user pain points. This workshopping course enables you to use design thinking practices within your own organization.
UX Certification Credit
UX Certification Credit
Participant Comments
Participant Comments
"I learned new techniques for gathering design ideas from my team, and had fun doing the exercises in class to immediately apply what I've just learned. Kate does a good job explaining a concept: what somethings is as well as what it is not. Helpful class."
Michelle Larsen, AQUAS, Inc.
"This was a fantastic course. I learned many new ideation techniques with hands on experience applying them. looking forward to using these techniques at my organization."
Jolie Tingen, Duke University
"In the beginning of the workshop my goal was to leave today's session with concrete steps on how to implement concrete ideation strategies at my user skeptical organization and I believe I have acheieved my goal."
Anna Mulamba, DivvyCloud
"Not only a good foundation, but leaving with clear examples and next steps to apply in my role."
Onnika Mitchell, P&G
"Well prepared content, on point. I've taken 10+ courses and Kate has been the best instructor I've had!"
Holly Smith, MPI
"Great session on Ideation. It really showed me new techniques my company could use to better ideate."
Matt Montgomery, DesignSensory
"Fun, entertaining class."
Ben Willis, MasterControl
"She did a great job explaining each topic with confidence and in an easy way to understand. She gives great advice for personal problems that I will find useful in my agency."
Taylor Birchall, Zion & Zion
"I can take away real world applications and apply them immediately upon return to the office! Kate provided a lot of low hanging fruits to resolve and ideas for how to deal with conflicts that may arise when implementing."
Samantha Kowal, Emmis Communications
"As a workshops facilitator and UX Specialist, this class provides a tool box that I can pick and choose what's best for the situation. The instructor was so energized that made me feel like time went by very quickly."
Sumonthip Gmitro, Boeing
More Participant Comments
"We were pushed outside of our comfort zone and this allowed us to look at things from a new angle. Fantastic! Worth every penny."
Luc Lehette, Sony Electronics
"Learnt a lot of different ideation techniques to take back to work environment. Kate presented the course in a very calm professional manner which helped absorb course material. Excited to put some of these techniques in practice, regarding live UX projects!"
Martin Brazier, The Open University
"Taking away concrete ideation techniques back to my team at work that we can immediately try! New ideas for things to try and reinforcing some of my own current techniques."
Julie Oliver, Big Fish Games
"I can't wait to try it out on my day-to-day work!"
Made Utari Dwiyani, PT Telekomunikasi Indonesia, Bandung, Indonesia
"Whether you are new to the world of ideation techniques, or perhaps looking for inspiration and new tools to add to your toolbox- don't hesitate to take this course!"
Kibret Ayob, Sopra Steria, Stockholm, Sweden
"I liked the different methods to make people think outside their comfort zone and I like Kate's presentation style."
Tom Verhage, Handshake Concepting
"A great overview of specific ideation techniques to use across a variety of products and industries. Especially helpful for those looking to build an ideation toolset for their organization."
Cheryl Peskar
"The agenda and content were exceptionally thorough as comprehensive. Like other NN/g courses, I greatly appreciate a lot of the back and forth between formulaic/step by step methodologies with holistic and philosophical thinking. Kate was terrific at reigning in questions and re-contextualizing them to the topic at hand as well. Excellent dynamics between 'facilitator' and teacher."
Jordon, Flashpoint
"As a visual designer, I found this session by far my fave of the conference. It put UX all together for me. Great course!"
"Kate did a very good job managing time. It never felt rushed, which is something that almost always happens in the post-lunch session. Kate is clearly knowledgeable. The exercises were very effective. Plenty of time to work through them."
Steve Costello, Weissman's Theatrical Supply
"Aurora has a way of making everyone comfortable in thinking and acting outside the box. This course is a great starting point for someone new to UX or someone looking to inspire more collaboration within their organization."
Jim Miller, AbbVie
"I really liked that this class pushed me outside of my box."
Jessi Winner, Samtec
"I can take away real world applications and apply them immediately upon return to the office! Kate provided a lot of low hanging fruits to resolve and ideas for how to deal with conflicts that may arise when implementing."
Samantha Kowal, Emmis Communications
"Really great course. And an amazing delivery by Kate!"
Ege Gorgulu, JotForm Inc.
"This course makes me want to go back to work and organize an ideation gorup!"
C. Cirafi, TES Global
"I especially like the practical moment (exercises) as they reveal way better how ideation process may be handled. And proof that assumptions are not what you should start with."
Wets Hedwig, Sony Europe
"Excellent training. Will really improve the way I work. Thanks Kate."
Norman Sheady, BT Wholesale
"Some really useful, practical ideas for getting the most out of ideation sessions."
Edmund Ward, The Money Advice Service
"Kate is awesome! Great presentation and foundation for exercising ideation techniques. Really happy I did this!"
Lara Horowitz, Victoria's Secret
"If you've ever stressed about running a brainstorm, this course is for you."
Jett Hova
"I really enjoyed the content of this class. For me, it was a sturdy bridge between what I've been doing instinctively most of my working like and where I hope to go in the future. Ideation is the common language."
Barbara Hillingdale, Gardener's Supply
"We were pushed outside of our comfort zone and this allowed us to look at things from a new angle. Fantastic! Worth every penny."
Luc Lehette, Sony Electronics
"Great course. Come prepared to interact with an open mind."
Maurice Roach, Zuhlke
"This was so far, the most fun I've had with a course at NNg (this is my second year). Kate was very engaging and the exercises reinforced what she taught and made the day extremely enjoyable."
Blake Rochelle, Infinity Insurance
"I liked the different methods to make people think outside their comfort zone and I like Kate's presentation style."
Tom Verhage, Handshake Concepting
"Kate was great! Very knowledgable and has a calm, grounded presence."
Gita Pabla, Booz Allen Hamilton
"My company fortunately has a highly structured design thinking process in place, yet there were many variants of presentation and philosophy in this course that made it beneficial and viable. The exercises were at the proper level and length. The participation of the attendees were engaged. Very good discussion."
"Some really useful, practical ideas for getting the most out of ideation sessions."
Edmund Ward, The Money Advice Service, UK
"Excellent training. Will really improve the way I work. Thanks Kate."
Norman Sheady, BT Wholesale
"I'm excited to take back all the ideation techniques learned today to my team. Practicing techniques throughout the day was extremely helpful."
Lacy Draper, Quicken Loans
"Loved it. Great balance of lecture, activities and group discussion. Lots of practices that I feel like I an bring back to my group."
Kristy Markin, MITRE
"Kate is one of the best speakers and facilitators I have had! This was my 2nd class w/her and she really makes these sessions enjoyable. Thank you!"
Melissa Dunfee, Crowley Maritime
"Great overview of ideation techniques that will help all teams succeed in other creative work."
Chris Edwards, Medtronic
"This was such a great class filled with practical ideation techniques presesnted and workshopped in ways that can be implemented in the real world. Great job Kate, well spoken and extremely competent!"
Courtney Miller, PPG
"A lot of techniques to apply on my team, can't wait! I totally recommend this course."
Catalina Vasquez, Mining Tag
"Kate is an excellent speaker and has a wealth of information to share on Ideation!"
Mallory Robertson, Vision
"It was really fun and very useful. This is one of the best UX courses I have attended."
Hanadi Alshehi, DEWA, Dubai
"This was extremely helpful in helping to facilitate sessions in as positive of an environment as possible. Positivity generates creativity!"
Jillian Cairco, AICPA
"Kate had us doing many different activities that allowed us to put what we've learned into practice so that we could feel more confident with taking these ideas back home!"
Will Ratil, HOPA
"Excellent tools to support effective ideation. Kate is a strong presenter with credible knowledge of the topic."
Al Foote, PwC
"I am new to this and have been going thrugh ideation workshops at work. You've done a great job bringing everything together for me."
Heather Hawkins
"I really enjoyed the depth and breadth of the content. I feel like it was the right balance so that I have tools/resources that I can take back to my team, and it wasn't so detailed that we practiced obscure exercises."
Janet Wang
"I had a great time and most of the techniques I hadn't tried out yet! Excited to try them back at work!"
Nalatie Schwalb, IBM
"Today was great considering it was thrown together as a virtual conference at such short notice, the speakers were fantastic and the knowledge they shared was extremely valuable."
Daniel Todd, NCFE
"Great course! Lots of group and individual exercises to implement the techniques!"
Deb Ghosh, Bournemouth, UK
"I really enjoyed the Ideation course and have some great ideas to bring back to help implement better design thinking processes in the company I work for. Big thank you to both of the Kates for their hard work on hosting :)"
Nathan Wood, Passion Digital
"This was a fantastic course! I learned so many new and exciting ideation techniques that I can use in a variety of ways; on my own, with in-person teams and remote teams too (which is huge for me). Kate Moran delivered the course in such an engaging way and everything ran smoothly thanks to our amazing facilitator, Kate Kaplan. Thank you both for a brilliant day."
Steve Jackson, Applaud Solutions
"Fast, well paced class with lots of interactions which makes the learning process equally effective and enjoyable."
Alina Agurida, Raiffeisen Bank International, Vienna, Austria
"Although the course is grounded in UX design, the techniques covered are also applicable to most collaborative group scenarios. You'll learn the value of effective ideation as well as context-based best practices for facilitating genuine creativity on your team or even at the organization level."
Emily Bennett, Houston
"Great class, helps you become a better problem solver; in UX and also in real life."
Alez Zumeili, Amman, Jordan
"Overall a great introduction to ideation techniques. I feel i now have tools I can try, to help when I get stuck or when no one can agree — and both when I work alone and with others. Gold!"
Linda Sunde, Bouvet, Norway
"If you are unsure of how to get the ideation process going, both alone or with a team, then this is for you. I definitely recommend it for more beginner-level UX designers, and for designers on a newly established UX team/in a small business. Regardless, you are sure to walk away with at least one new ideation technique to try out!"
Stephanie Rose, LogicMonitor, Santa Barbara, CA, USA
"This course will give you an excellent overview of ideation techniques and how can you deal with accruing problems. It also reinforces learning by including multiple interactive activities."
Almaha Almalki, MIT and KACST, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
"This is a fantastic class that focuses on giving you access to tons of great tools and resources that you can apply immediately. And more importantly, apply them to one of the most important stages of UX design - ideation. Kate is a superb instructor, and I highly recommend that you take this class."
Vishal Shah, Biogen, Luterbach, Switzerland
"This course provides many ways for you to apply ideation techniques and principles to your UX team. During the course I was able to engage in activities that showed the effectiveness of ideation techniques, which will allow you to foster harmony and positive results for your UX team ideation sessions."
John Le, Seattle, WA
"This course will introduce you to so many new ways of approaching the ideation process and working with diverse groups. If you're looking to improve your workshops and learn new ways of breaking down problems and building solutions, this course is definitely for you."
Nigel Moyes, Tundra Interactive, Melbourne, Australia
"I definitely benefited from this course. It was very engaging and it made me think about and work through ideas. I was introduced to new techniques and a wealth of information."
Kristin Hairapetian, Columbia / US
"Take it! I would (and will) recommend this course for sure. Very informative, super useful, fun, and thought-provoking!"
Doug Roerden, FM Global, Providence, RI, USA
"I liked how the instructor showed us a wide variety of ideation methods not just for design folks but to be inclusive for the wider team."
Isabelle, GovTech Singapore, Singapore
"This course provides a broad set of ideation techniques that I'm excited to try in my day-to-day projects, big and small!"
Allan Kwan, ServiceNow, San Diego, CA, USA
"Great for teams of all sizes. If you're working on your own or a large team theres something here for you. There's also a variety of strategies that can be used for different time constraints."
Alex Garnett, Innovasea, Halifax, Canada
"Took me out of my comfort zone, which is good."
This course covers the ideation stage in the UX design process, as well as tips for improving the creative process on your team.
We have many methods for evaluating the quality of design ideas to see what works with users, but how do we generate those ideas in the first place? We can’t just hope for inspiration to strike, we need an organized discipline for generating user interface ideas. In this class, you’ll learn how to look at your research and the field of UX as sources of inspiration to solve thorny design problems.
Ideation is not just for dreaming up the next big disruptive technology. These systematic methods for solving UX challenges are just as useful for everyday design activities, such as redesigning a registration form that suffers from a low conversion rate, improving the homepage for an intranet, or restructuring the functionality of a mission-critical feature in an enterprise application.
Inês Santiago, People's Playground