AI+ Accelerator:
Research for Designers

Advance your design practice with AI-enhanced research methods 
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This programme blends practical AI tools with hands-on research methods to help you take your design projects to the next level.

Based on the bestselling book Research for Designers by Gjoko Muratovski, it offers insights from leading designers working with Fortune 100 companies, global organisations, and government institutions.

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Introduction to Design-Led Innovation with AI

Discover how design-led innovation works and why research sits at its core. This module sets the foundation for combining human-centred thinking with the power of AI, helping you develop the right mindset for using AI in a creative, ethical, and purposeful way.
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Ethical and Responsible Use of AI

Understand what it means to use AI responsibly. This module introduces six core pillars of ethical AI practice guiding you to create work that is fair, transparent, safe, and aligned with human values.

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Research and AI Essentials 

Learn how to build strong research foundations starting with your proposal, research questions, and methods. At the same time, get hands-on with AI: explore key prompting strategies, core functionalities, and the most widely used large language models.
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Contextual Studies 

Design doesn’t exist in a vacuum. This module explores the interdisciplinary nature of design-led innovation and why learning fast matters. You’ll use tools like Google NotebookLM, Perplexity, and deep research models to build a richer, faster understanding of the context behind your work.
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Academic Literature Review

Find, map, and make sense of academic research faster. This module introduces smart tools for sourcing papers, spotting connections, and using large language models like ChatGPT to support your review process so you can spend more time on crucial analysis
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Ethnographic Research 

Go deeper into human-centred design. This module explores key methods like interviews and cultural probes and how AI can support, not replace, your role as a researcher. You’ll learn how to use image generation tools and AI assistants to enrich insights and strengthen your human advantage
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Synthetic Users 

Explore the frontier of user research. This module introduces synthetic personas and AI-generated research tools to prototype ideas, map user journeys, and test feasibility while staying clear on the opportunities and limitations of this emerging approach
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Quantitative Research 

Turn insights into evidence. This module shows you how to design and analyse effective surveys using large language models like ChatGPT. You’ll also explore specialised platforms for building, distributing, and interpreting quantitative research so you can validate your ideas with confidence.
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Looking Ahead

Where is AI taking us next? This module explores global reports on the future of AI-enhanced work and agentic AI unpacking what these shifts mean for the next generation of research for designers. 

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Bonus Content: Expert Insights

Learn from the best. In this module you will find a selection of exclusive expert interviews with legendary designers, inspiring design leaders, and distinguished design academics.  

Included With This Course

Video Modules 

3.5+ hours of pre-recorded lessons across 48 videos—from big ideas to hands-on tools.

A Mastery Toolkit

150+ pages of frameworks, strategies, prompts, tools, and use cases.

Deep
Dives 

Expert insights from the book Research for Designers 
+ AI-curated reading library.

Expert Insights

20+ interviews with global experts across design-led innovation and research.

Peer
Forum 

A dedicated space for sharing questions, insights, and experiences 


Monthly Webinars 

Monthly live or recorded sessions with tool updates, new AI features, and more.
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Based on the bestselling book by Gjoko Muratovski

Research for Designers:
A Guide to Methods and Practice

Read in 155 countries, used as a textbook at over 500 universities, and consulted by leading global organisations and Fortune 100 companies.

What The Experts Say

“Today, designers design services, processes and organisations; craft skills no longer suffice. We need to discover, define and solve problems based upon evidence. We need to demonstrate the validity of our claims.We need design research, but as a special kind of research, with methods appropriate to the applied, constructive nature of design. We need a book on research for designers that can educate students and be a reference for professionals. And here it is: Gjoko Muratovski’s masterful book for 21st century designers.”

Don Norman

Former Vice President
Advanced Technology
Apple

“Inspiring and engaging. Gjoko Muratovski gives us a visionary preview on the future of design. He argues that design is transforming from ‘problem-solving’ to ‘problem-finding’—something every company, from startups to multinationals, needs in today’s hyper-connected and fast-changing world. Muratovski provides the context and more importantly, the implications of the rise of design as a powerful competitive advantage. If you want to know more about the role of design in the past, present and where design is headed, start here.”
David R. Butler
Vice President
Global Design
The Coca-Cola Company
“We live in complex social settings where design is shaping and impacting all facets of our contemporary lives. Not only does design allow us to solve problems in increasingly contested urban milieus, but it also drives our understanding of and approach to principles of inclusive living and social justice. Grounded in principles of social sciences, this book makes an important contribution to our understanding of how people and communities can use advanced design research to solve emergent, complex, and multi-dimensional social problems."


Fethi Mansouri

Chairholder

Cultural Diversity and Social Justice
UNESCO



“Design’s importance in social, cultural and economic terms has never been greater. So, it’s a surprise that the design research community has waited so long for an authoritative and comprehensive handbook on research methods which further our understanding and knowledge of the process of designing. Research for Designers fills this gap in the literature. There’s no doubt it will become a seminal reference for those seeking to undertake research in the field.”

Seymour Roworth-Stokes

Chairholder
Design Research Society

"This book provides a great learning reference on the basics of research. It is well written, easy to understand, and provides guidance on research methodology which can be very valuable to all researchers, and not only those specifically in the design profession. Along with a well-organized approach to research, Muratovski also encourages crossdisciplinary partnerships and highlights the importance of data. Both of these are essential to learning, analysing, and developing design solutions which can contribute to improvements in quality of life”


David Kusuma
President (2019-2021)
World Design Organization
“A deep understanding of context is the foundation for designing effective and sustainable ways to tackle the large, interrelated problems we face today. It takes more than one type of research to fully explore these complex design challenges, and Research for Designers answers that need. Muratovski brings together a multitude of proven methods, tools and practices, and a multidisciplinary approach, that provide an invaluable resource for designers of all levels of experience.”



Bruce Mau
Chief Executive Officer
Massive Change Network

“Research for Designers is a welcome contribution to the world of design academia as it discusses methods for carrying out systematic design research. This book allows the reader to choose methods for design research according to different types of design problems and not only for the different stages of the design process. In this respect, this will be useful not only to postgraduate students and academics engaged in serious design research, but also to practicing designers dealing with large-scale, complex and cross-disciplinary design problems."

Kun-Pyo Lee
President (2011-2017)
IASDR – International Association of Societies of Design Research
“Research for Designers explores design research based on a panorama of the evolution of design. It is a useful book for designers, educators and researchers. It is also a meaningful book, as it opens the window for enriching and improving the rationalities between design and a possible better world. While facing a new era of design activism, a new culture of knowledge creation should be involved as part of the agenda. Gjoko Muratovski’s work makes a concrete step forward.”  
Yongqi Lou
President
Shanghai University
of Engineering Science
“Research for Designers clearly explains how effective cross-disciplinary discovery and delivery of strategic solutions to complex problems needs to begin with targeted and credible research of the problem area, the ecosystem, the context, and the stakeholders involved. While the book provides a great overview for designers that are interested in learning about research methods and how to use them, the book is also useful to strategists and decision-makers as it can expand their problem-solving toolkit to incorporate design research and practice in the pursuit of new, original and better outcomes.”
Jane Treadwell
Project Manager
The World Bank

Your Course Instructors 

Dr Gjoko Muratovski

An award-winning designer, social scientist, and innovation consultant, working with Fortune 500 companies, governments, and universities around the world. Gjoko has served as an invited member of thought-leading organisations such as the Forbes Councils, Stanford Institute for Innovation in Developing Economies, Oxford Digital Leaders Network, Yale Higher Education Leadership Summit, and the White House Presidential Innovation Fellows Program. He is also an elected Fellow of the Design Research Society.

Ola Handford

Design consultant and academic director of Mind Makers, a global consultancy for AI literacy and design strategy. With experience across 50+ countries, Ola has trained over 8,000 students and professionals, working with startups, universities, and international organisations. Her work blends strategy, design-led innovation, and emerging technologies to promote responsible, human-centric solutions. She advises institutions on AI integration and delivers keynotes and programmes worldwide.

Who Is This Course For?

Students &
Emerging Designers

Prepare for the future and give yourself the best career opportunities in a changing design world. Learn to use AI to research smarter, make better design decisions, and develop deeper insights that lead to human-centred solutions.


Educators & Researchers

Integrate AI into your curriculum in an ethical and responsible way. Use it to strengthen your teaching and supercharge your research. Prepare your students for what’s next with integrity and depth, or start developing a new research proposal.

Design Consultants & Innovation Specialists

Use AI to deepen user research, uncover richer insights, and present your thinking with clarity while maintaining rigour and design integrity. Apply proven frameworks to solve complex challenges with relevance and purpose. 


Design Leaders & Decision-Makers

Understand the real capabilities and limitations of AI. Explore how it fits into your team’s processes and what it means for the near future. Learn how to lead with confidence as your organisation and your competitors adopt AI.

Your Course Syllabus

By the end of this course, you’ll be able to:


Adopt a critical research mindset

Move beyond the AI hype. Learn how to balance automation with human judgment, and stay grounded in the values of ethical design research.

Balance speed with depth

Use AI responsibly to explore and accelerate your research process—without sacrificing emotional nuance, ethical clarity, or contextual depth.

Assess ethical risks and limitations

Identify the biases, blind spots, and unintended effects of using AI in your research—and learn when not to use it.

Apply specialised research tools

Work with cutting-edge AI tools built for interviews, surveys, synthesis, and synthetic users—all tailored to research and design practice.

Understand large language models

Gain confidence in using LLMs like ChatGPT for research—know what they can do, where they fail, and how to get the most out of them.

Use prompting strategies

Master advanced prompting methods like self-interviewing, chain-of-thought, and tree-of-thought to shape clear, AI-enhanced research thinking.

Choose Your Plan

Individual Enrolment 

$199
Self-paced learning. Perfect for those looking to integrate Generative AI into their research in their own time.
  • 48 pre-recorded videos 
  • 150+ pages Mastery Toolkit
  • Access to comprehensive readings (Deep Dives) and 20+ expert interviews 
  • Monthly webinars with updates + Live Q&A sessions (recorded access included)
  • Access to a Peer Forum
  • 25% discount coupon for the book Research for Designers 

Group Enrolment 

Discounted Prices
Design research works best collaboratively. Group enrolment helps teams align, streamline methods, and apply insights together. Access all the benefits of individual enrolment at a discounted price per person for teams.
  • 10% off per person for teams of 3–5
  • 15% off per person for teams of 6–10
  • Custom pricing for 10+ with onboarding and tailored Q&A
  • Admin-friendly: invoicing and coordinated enrolment available

Enterprise Training  

Bespoke Pricing
Equip your organisation with full access to the AI+ Accelerator program—plus a customised live training series tailored to your specific needs.
  • Individual access to all course materials for team members
  • Customised corporate training modules and case studies
  • Live sessions focused on your priorities and use cases
  • Dedicated onboarding and support for large teams

Frequently Asked Questions

What will I be able to do after completing this course?

You’ll gain the skills to use generative AI tools as advanced research partners. The course will teach you how to choose and apply the right AI tools for different stages of the research for designers process—from framing questions to synthesising insights—based on the selected parts of the Research for Designers book. You’ll learn to critically assess AI outputs, understand their limitations, and apply them across diverse use cases in design, strategy, education, and innovation. Most importantly, you’ll build confidence in integrating AI meaningfully and responsibly into your own research practice. 

Is this course focused on academic research, real-world projects, or both?

Both. The course bridges academic rigor with practical application. You’ll learn research methods you can use in design studios, innovation teams, classrooms, or strategic consulting.

What makes this course different from reading Research for Designers on its own?

The core research methods in the course follow the Research for Designers book, and you’ll find selected excerpts included in the Deep Dive section. What sets this course apart is its focus on accelerating those methods using generative AI. Through hands-on video tutorials, an AI-powered Mastery Toolkit, and carefully curated Deep Dive readings, you’ll learn how to integrate AI into your research process—from planning and exploration to analysis and synthesis—making your work faster, deeper, and more adaptable to real-world challenges.

Who is this course best suited for?

The course offers a wide range of content that would suit everyone, from postgraduate students, early- to mid-career professionals, educators, researchers, strategists, and design leaders. You can focus on the parts of the content that interest you most and decide how deeply you want to explore them. The course offers a wide range of material to suit different goals and perspectives. If you’re working with complex problems and want to integrate AI into your research practice, this course is for you.

What specific AI tools will I learn to use?

You’ll explore a wide range of advanced tools that support different stages of the design research process. We’ll cover and compare leading large language models—such as ChatGPT, Google Gemini, Claude, and Perplexity—as well as specialized platforms like Google NotebookLM, Elicit, Litmaps, AI-lize, and tools for working with synthetic users such as QoQo. You’ll learn how to access these tools, understand their strengths and limitations, and select the right ones for your specific needs. The course emphasises responsible, critical, and effective use of AI throughout your research practice.

How much time do I need to complete the course?

We understand your time is valuable, and you may be looking to solve specific challenges in your work. That’s why the course is fully self-paced and modular. We recommend starting with Modules 1–3 to build a strong foundation, and then selecting the modules most relevant to your current research needs. Each module includes concise video lessons supported by a Mastery Toolkit featuring tool comparisons, practical use cases, and prompt ideas. For those who want to explore further, the Deep Dive section offers in-depth readings and additional resources. You’re in control of how much time you invest and how deep you want to go.

Do I need to pay for any external tools or AI subscriptions?

No paid tools are required to complete the course. However, we do explain where paid versions of platforms offer more advanced models, updated features, and expanded functionality that can significantly improve your workflow. If you don’t currently have any subscriptions, we recommend watching the videos first—then deciding whether upgrading is worth it for your needs. Many of the specialized tools we introduce offer freemium versions, allowing you to explore their potential before making any commitment.

Will I create a final project or portfolio piece?

No, this course is not structured around producing a final project or portfolio piece. Instead, you’ll be guided through a range of research processes, tools, and strategies that you can apply directly to your own work. The focus is on helping you critically assess different approaches, understand AI’s limitations, and select the right tools for your specific context. This flexibility allows you to integrate what you learn into ongoing or future projects in a way that’s most relevant to you.

How is this course different from other AI courses for designers or researchers?

This course is grounded in a well-established research framework as outlined in the book Research for Designers, and goes beyond tool tutorials. It focuses on developing your ability to think critically, choose the right methods, and apply AI responsibly across diverse research contexts. It’s not about speed—it’s about depth, judgment, and meaningful innovation.

Do I need prior experience with AI tools or research methods to join this course?

No prior experience is required. The course is designed to support a wide range of learners—from those new to AI tools to experienced researchers looking to enhance their practice. Modules are structured to build foundational understanding and then offer more advanced options for those ready to go deeper.

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