International Research Journal of Education and Technology

Tesla, Inc., founded in 2003, is a global leader in electric vehicles (EVs) and sustainable energy solutions. With a market capitalization exceeding $600 billion (as of 2024) and an annual revenue of over $80 billion, Tesla is a pioneer in integrating innovation and design thinking to redefine the automotive and energy sectors. The study explores how Tesla applies design thinking in its product development, customer experience, and organizational strategies. The research aims to identify the key principles of design thinking used at Tesla, analyze their impact on innovation, and evaluate how they contribute to its competitive advantage. This study adopts a qualitative research design, incorporating case study analysis, secondary data review, and expert interviews. The Double Diamond and Stanford d. school models of design thinking form the theoretical foundation. Data is sourced from academic journals, industry reports, and Tesla’s official documentation. Findings suggest that Tesla’s design thinking approach accelerates innovation, enhances user-centric design, and drives sustainability initiatives. The study highlights the role of iterative prototyping and customer feedback in Tesla’s product evolution. Future research can explore how Tesla’s design thinking model can be replicated in other industries.

Keywords: Design Thinking, Tesla, Case study