What are micro-credentials?
Micro-credentials are short, flexible, asynchronous learning modules designed to help participants develop the specialized, job-ready skills.
Our micro-credentials deliver 21st century innovation, design thinking, and entrepreneurship skills through in-person and online modules. Participants who successfully complete micro-credentials earn digital badges via Credly to document and share their achievements. These micro-credentials are short, competency-based recognitions and are not counted as an academic program or degree.
Design thinking is all about collaboration and problem-solving!
Unleash your creative potential by mastering the principles of design thinking. There is an increasing emphasis on skills such as problem-solving, adaptability, and empathy to current as well as future job roles. Through this immersive workshop, participants will be introduced to the six foundational steps in the design thinking process: defining How Might We challenges, seeking extremes, creating options, selecting ideas, prototyping, and feedback.
There are two ways to our Design Thinking programs:
1. Our live workshops
Note: The workshop is interactive and will utilize features within the Zoom platform. Program participants are encouraged to have their cameras on to increase participation and engagement. To access the session, participants will receive one link to register and join. Registration protects the privacy of the session and allows da Vinci to monitor attendance. Attendees are encouraged to test their technology prior to the session to ensure access.
See all upcoming Design Thinking Workshops and Events >>
2. At your own pace
Take this asynchronous workshop on the practice of human-centered thinking. Delivered by the Executive Director of the VCU da Vinci Center for Innovation, this experience gives participants the opportunity to actively engage in their learning.
Enroll in our asynchronous workshop >>
“Play is the highest form of research.” -Albert Einstein
Immerse yourself in the playful and powerful world of LEGO Serious Play. This innovative approach is being increasingly adopted today by Fortune 500 companies and startups to build high-functioning and creative teams that are agile and innovative. Through a series of individual and collaborative exercises, LEGO Serious Play will challenge participants by prompting dialogue, encouraging reflection, improving problem-solving skills, and sparking imagination.
Fill out our interest form to request a workshop for your organization.
Work smarter. Everyday, we see advances in Artificial Intelligence (AI) and ChatGPT, but what does this mean for the industry? What does this mean for you? In this micro-credential, learn the fundamental concepts of AI and ChatGPT and how you can harness these transformative tools in your own work. Through a series of individual and collaborative activities, we will look at how AI and ChatGPT can be incorporated in the design thinking process and further explore its potential for product and service development.
Change management is all about using human-centered design to build an effective strategy including; planning, implementing, and monitoring changes in an organization's operations, culture, or technology.
Become a more effective leader in innovation by applying principles of change management. Through this micro-credential, you will not only learn the skills, concepts, and frameworks to better navigate change within organizations, you will also be immersed in a collaborative, real-world simulation to practice implementing change management techniques within a low-risk environment.
Fill out our interest form to request a workshop for your organization.
“The difference between market takers and market makers isn’t product innovation, it’s business model innovation.” -Vala Afshar, Salesforce.
Turn your ideas into action. The Business Model Canvas is an organizational tool used by global business leaders to develop insights and engage in strategic planning. Through this micro-credential, we will break down the essential elements, including customer segments, value propositions, and revenue streams. We will also zoom out to help participants develop a holistic understanding of their business and refine their strategy for sustainable growth.
Follow these 3 steps to earn your micro-credential:
Step 1: Watch the Business Model Canvas Video. Ace discusses the philosophy and mechanics of the Business Canvas Model.
Step 2: Download the Business Model Canvas Template
Step 3: Take the Business Model Canvas Assessment
“Speech is power: speech is to persuade, to convert, to compel.” -Ralph Waldo Emerson
Elevate your communication skills. This micro-credential will help you position and strengthen your pitch skills in order to showcase who you are, what you do, and what you want your audience to do - whether that’s investors, customers, or team members. Participants will engage in discussions around the philosophy and mechanics of pitching and learn how to artfully craft and tell stories that are clear, compelling, and emotionally powerful.
Follow these 2 steps to earn your micro-credential:
Step 1: Watch the Art of The Pitch Video. Ace Callwood discusses the philosophy and mechanics of "The Pitch".
Step 2: Take the Art of The Pitch Assessment
Digital Literacy can help you become an active content creator, prepared for success in the modern workplace.
This micro-credential course will introduce how Adobe Creative Cloud tools can help advance your ideas. Andrew Indelicato walks you through Adobe and gives tutorials that will help you create. Participants will have proficiency in the creation of digital deliverables using select Adobe Creative Cloud software. Participants will have demonstrated an ability to use digital tools along with experiences in creativity, critical thinking, creative problem solving, and collaboration. Collectively, these 21st Century skills provide a foundation for digital literacy and communication.
Follow these 2 steps to earn your micro-credential:
Step 1: Watch the Digital Literacy Video. Preview Adobe tools with Andrew Indelicato.
Step 2: Take the Digital Literacy Assessment
Meet the Instructors
Jerica Simmons
Jerica has a background in nonprofit management, trauma-informed advocacy, and human services, and is currently pursuing a Master’s in Product Development at the da Vinci center.
Past workshops: Community Design Jam with Woodland Restoration Foundation, Global Entrepreneurship Week at Meadowbrook Academy
Cael Parker
Cael is a multidisciplinary artist, recent graduate from VCUArts, and an aspiring product developer currently pursuing a masters degree in Product Development from the da Vinci Center.
Past workshops: SHELFIE bootcamp at the Shift Retail Lab, Henrico Student Innovation Challenge
Manjari Kumarappan
Manjari is a Postdoctoral Fellow in Innovation and Human-Centered Design at the da Vinci Center, with a Master’s in Public Health.
Past workshops: Lego Serious Play workshop at Worlds in Play 2024, Design thinking workshop for VCUHealth Radiology
Mason Miles
Mason is building on his marketing expertise with a Master’s of Product Innovation at the da Vinci Center.
Past workshops: Meadowbrook Academy for Developing Entrepreneurs, Mary and Frances Youth Advisory Board
What is REAL? Relevant, Experiential, Applied Learning
VCU’s Relevant, Experiential and Applied Learning represents a promise. It’s a promise to provide students with a meaningful, career-building experience during their time at VCU, and a promise to support our faculty and staff to enable them to deliver that.