Empathy, Human- and life-centered approach, Problem statement, Ideation, Prototyping, Testing, and Design critiques. Need finding: Problem context; User personas; Observation of context; Talking to users; Constraints; Problem statement.
Overview of Design Thinking
Definition and philosophy of design thinking
Design Thinking is a human-centered, iterative problem-solving approach that emphasizes empathy, ideation, experimentation, and collaboration. It focuses on understanding real user needs and creating innovative solutions that are both technically feasible and user-desirable.
Philosophy:
Solving the right problem (not just solving problems right)
Encouraging creativity and empathy
Embracing ambiguity and iterative prototyping
Importance of human-centered design
Relevance in the context of emerging technologies (AR/V
History and evolution of the design thinking process
1960s-70s: Originated in architecture and engineering (Herbert Simon’s work on problem-solving)
1990s: Popularized by IDEO, a design firm that formalized it into a usable framework
2000s-Present: Adopted by businesses, educators, and technologists, especially for digital and immersive solutions
It evolved from being a tool for product designers to a mindset for innovation across various fields.
Design Thinking vs Traditional Design
Comparison with traditional software/system design approaches
Advantages in AR/VR contexts:
Iterative prototyping
User-centric interactivity
Empathy-driven innovation
Phases of the Design Thinking Process
Empathize – Understanding user needs and context
User interviews, observations, and personas
AR/VR-specific empathy tools (e.g., immersive user experience)
Define – Problem framing and insights
Problem statements in immersive environments
Ideate – Generating creative solutions
Brainstorming for AR/VR interactions and interfaces
Prototype – Rapid development of solutions
Low-fidelity to high-fidelity AR/VR prototypes
Tools and platforms for quick prototyping (Unity, Unreal, Lens Studio)
Test – User feedback and iteration
AR/VR usability testing
Gathering feedback using immersive experience tracking
1.4 Role of AR/VR in Design Thinking
Enhancing empathy through immersive storytelling
Enabling realistic prototyping and simulation
Immersive ideation techniques and virtual collaboration
Case studies of AR/VR projects developed using design thinking
1.5 Tools and Technologies
Introduction to AR/VR development environments:
Unity with Vuforia/AR Foundation
Unreal Engine for VR
WebAR, 8thWall, Spark AR
Hardware platforms (HoloLens, Oculus Quest, Magic Leap, mobile AR)
1.6 Real-World Applications and Case Studies
Education, healthcare, architecture, retail, and tourism
How design thinking influenced successful AR/VR project outcomes
Brainstorm an AR/VR solution to a local problem using design thinking steps
Case study analysis of a real AR/VR product developed through iterative design
Group project: Create a basic AR/VR prototype using design thinking principles