Design Thinking

Design thinking is a process that consists of 5 phases with the purpose of finding creative problem-solving methods. These 5 phases include empathize, define, ideate, prototype, and test, though these phases do not need to be linear in order for the process of design thinking to function correctly, as there are many processes and methods that can be used. Some words to describe the process that goes into design thinking include logic, imagination, intuition, systemic, reasoning, exploration, failure, possibility, iteration, and refinement. This human centered design process encourages design teams to focus on their audiences that they are creating the products for, leading the team to create better solutions, services, and processes. The design thinking process is so effective that during his TED talk, Tim Brown states that “…If we take a different view of design and focus less on the object and more on design thinking as an approach, that we might actually see the result in a bigger impact”. This statement is especially effective because it comes after he talks about his failed projects, reflecting on where he may have messed up in the design process. If he had used design thinking, he believes he would have created better products. The concept of design thinking is often overlooked due many people experiencing overly critical people during childhood who shamed them for being creative. This opting out from creativity that happens in childhood “…moves in and becomes more ingrained even by the time you get to adult life”, causing adults to feel uncomfortable during creative workshops due to the fear of being criticized for their ideas. This stigma needs to change, and that’s what the design thinking process helps to achieve.

The first step of the design process is empathy, which “…sets the foundation for human-centered design, which begins with the people you're designing for and produces design solutions conceived and executed to meet their needs and desires”. This step consists of observing, engaging, and immersing. Empathy can be done through methods such as research, interviews, surveys, shadowing, videos, empathy maps, photo journals, body language, and documentaries. The second step of the design process is define, which “…guides your exploration, providing focus, and is a reference for evaluating ideas”. This step consists of insights, unpacking, needs, and synthesizing. Defining can be done through methods such as data analysis, asking why, personas, (re)definition, and problem statements. The third step is ideate, which is when “…you explore paths of thinking and forming ideas, generating many concepts”. This step consists of quantity, generating, and diversity. Ideation can be done through mind maps, storyboards, sketching, comprehensives, skits, game storming, and charettes. The fourth step is prototyping, which is “…creating a first-stage model” of something, giving “…an initial or preliminary physical form to your ideas”. Prototypes consist of exploring, inspiring, and conversing. They can be made through paper prototypes, animatics, tight comprehensives, wireframes, mock-ups, walkthroughs, and maquettes. The fifth and last step is testing, which is “…the opportunity to assess your solution, get feedback on trial run-throughs, refine, and continue to learn”. Tests consist of refining, learning, and solving. They can be done through launching, publishing, printing, debugging, uploading, screening, shipping, manufacturing, promoting, releasing, and beta testing.

“…As we see this reemergence of design thinking and we see it beginning to tackle new kinds of problems, there are some basic ideas that I think we can observe that are useful”, said TED talk speaker Tim Brown. This concept of design thinking has always been crucial when it comes to designing a good product, so much so that it is practically the scientific method of design. Now that more people are starting to embrace design thinking, more interesting, useful, and effective products are being released. “Instead of defaulting to our normal convergent approach where we make the best choice out of available alternatives, it encourages us to take a divergent approach, to explore new alternatives, new solutions, new ideas that have not existed before”, which is a main factor of why the results from using the design thinking process are much more efficient than those made without it. The design thinking process is easy to follow when it is broken down into smaller, understandable chunks, so there isn’t much of a reason why workplaces shouldn’t implement this process of thinking. It is easy to pick up for anyone regardless of design background as well as very effective. Just as David Kelley states, “It would be really great if you didn't let people divide the world into the creatives and the non-creatives, like it's some God-given thing, and to have people realize that they're naturally creative, and that those natural people should let their ideas fly”, because once that happens, the world will certainly become a more creative place due to the process of design thinking.