Design Thinking

Design thinking is a holistic approach to solving everyday user problems in all walks of life, that focuses on the perspective of the user. For example, when designing a turning light lever in a car for India it should be place on the right side of the steering wheel because the cars are right hand drives in India. Thus, design thinking involves creative thinking that goes beyond look, feel and functionality of a product or a service. More generally informed decision requires knowledge. Analytical thinking focuses on acquiring maximum knowledge on a given problem and then using this knowledge to analyze and find solutions. In contrast, design thinking fosters ability to make decisions under ambiguity and in contexts that do not have a structure. That turning light indicators should indicate intention to turn is analytical thinking. Its appropriate placement requires empathy with the ultimate user. Design thinking encourages cooperative creativity in a team, develops insights based on empathy with the ultimate user, and is particularly useful for “wicked” problems that often requires reformulation of the problem. The emphasis on design thinking is learning by doing as opposed to learning by acquisition of knowledge alone. The act of trying out something will lead to more knowledge and iteratively lead to solutions. This session on design thinking will be expose blind spots in our thinking process and open the mind to innovation. Students will work in groups to create a new board game and create a plan work on a marketing plan. 

Theme: Civic Education, Community Service, Social Responsibility 

Presentation Materials