slide session 3 - design thinking

design thinking

the idea of looking at different ways to solve a problem by using designer abilities and applying it to a given problem/situation

• focuses on generating new solutions instead of selecting between existing options

• can contract with decision thinking

• puts emphasis on the needs of individuals + groups

characteristics of a design thinking approach to challenges

1. collaboration and interaction

2. multi-disciplinary nature

3. creating models of problems and solutions

4. prototyping and frequent iteration

5. human-centeredness

6. addressing “wicked problems”

7. systems-oriented

design

used for the following:

• changing existing situations into preferred ones

• accomplishing a particular purpose

• conception and planning

• imposing meaningful order

collaboration and interaction

individuals building on one another’s ideas and insights

• extends beyond the design team to include customers and other stakeholders

multi-disciplinary nature

large classes of human + technical phenomena and capabilities such as:

1. anthropology

2. cognitive science

3. aesthetics

4. psychology

5. computer science

6. organizational behavior

7. architecture

8. sociology

model

a representation of reality, often rendered graphically

• used in design thinking to think through a problem + explore possible solutions

• a way of thinking with your hands and promoting collaborative problem solving

human-centeredness

• users must be involved in the design process

• designers focus on the real needs/experiences of people (the idea of empathy)

• direct observation is critical for design approaches

prototyping

a tool for learning more about the needs of prospective users

• the goal is to learn about the strengths/weaknesses of an idea in order to improve it, not finish it

wicked problems

a type of social system problem that has confusing info, many clients/decision makers with opposing values, and the ramifications of the system are thoroughly confusing

the concept of indeterminacy

design problems don’t usually have obvious/definitive answers or limits

diverge

to create choices

converge

to make choices

design thinking attitudes

1. curiosity

2. challenging assumptions

3. constructive discontent

4. a belief that most problems can be solved

5. the ability to suspend judgement and criticism

6. seeing the good in the bad

7. problems lead to improvements

8. a problem can also be a solution

9. problems are interesting + emotionally acceptable

curiosity

• wanting to know why something works + how it works

challenging assumptions

bring assumptions out in the open, they’re usually unecessary + they constrain us

constructive discontent

don’t be satisfied, see opportunities for improvement

a belief that most problems can be solved

believing in your ability to solve problems, learned helplessness is unproductive

the ability to suspend judgement and criticism

don’t be afraid of crazy ideas, they set the groundwork for real solutions

seeing the good in the bad

• ideas aren’t black and white (not all good and not all bad)

• ask what’s good and bad about a given idea, then build on what’s good

problems lead to improvements

problems are the engine of innovation

a problem can also be a solution

even apparent problems can be solutions to different questions

problems are interesting and emotionally acceptable

problems aren’t something to be avoided