FOUNDATIONS OF DESIGN THINKING 12

 Design a mind map of design thinking

 Identify the Problem

 Identify the Criteria and Constraints

DESIGN THINKING ATTRIBUTES 12

 Explore the Materials

 Brainstorm ideas

DESIGN THINKING CONCEPTUALIZATION 12

 Create a Plan Individually

 Gather Materials

 Select a Group Plan

APPLICATIONS OF DESIGN THINKING 12

 Build the Product/Prototype

 Test the Product / Prototype or Execute the Process

CUSTOMER CENTRICITY AND FEEDBACK 12

 Analyze Results from Test

 Modify Process or Design to Make it Better

 Repeat as Many Times as Needed

2.

1. Create a Plan Individually

 Reflect on Insights: Start by reflecting on the insights gathered

during the empathy and define phases. What problem are you
solving, and what are the key user needs?
 Generate Ideas: Brainstorm potential solutions individually. Think
creatively and consider multiple approaches to address the
problem.
 Sketch or Outline: Create a rough sketch, flowchart, or written
outline of your idea. This helps visualize the concept and its key
components.
 Consider Feasibility: Evaluate the feasibility of your idea. Can it
be realistically implemented with the available resources and time?
 Document Your Plan: Write down your plan, including the steps
needed to execute it, the materials required, and the expected
outcomes.
2. Gather Materials

 Identify Required Materials: Based on your individual plan, list

the materials, tools, and resources needed to create a prototype or
execute the idea.
 Source Materials: Collect the necessary materials. These could
include physical items (e.g., cardboard, fabric, electronics), digital
tools (e.g., software, apps), or even human resources (e.g.,
expertise, collaboration).
 Consider Sustainability: Choose materials that are sustainable,
cost-effective, and appropriate for the prototype’s purpose.
 Prepare for Experimentation: Gather extra materials for
iterations and adjustments, as prototyping often involves trial and
error.

3. Select a Group Plan

 Share Individual Plans: In a group setting, each member presents

their individual plan, explaining the concept, materials needed, and
expected outcomes.
 Discuss and Compare: As a group, discuss the strengths and
weaknesses of each plan. Consider factors like feasibility, creativity,
user impact, and alignment with the problem statement.
 Collaborate and Combine Ideas: Look for ways to combine the
best elements of multiple plans into a single, stronger concept.
Collaboration often leads to more innovative solutions.
 Vote or Decide: Use a democratic process (e.g., voting) or
consensus-building to select the group plan. Ensure everyone feels
heard and invested in the final decision.
 Refine the Chosen Plan: Once a plan is selected, refine it further
as a group. Assign roles and responsibilities to ensure smooth
execution.

Key Considerations During Conceptualization

 User-Centricity: Always keep the end-user in mind. Does the plan

address their needs and pain points effectively?
 Iterative Mindset: Be prepared to iterate on the plan as new
insights emerge during prototyping and testing.
 Communication: Clear communication within the group is essential
to align everyone’s efforts and ensure a cohesive plan.
 Flexibility: Stay open to changes and improvements, even after a
plan is selected. Design Thinking is a dynamic process.
Example Workflow

1. Individual Plan: You sketch a wearable device to help visually

impaired individuals navigate indoor spaces.
2. Gather Materials: You collect sensors, microcontrollers, and
lightweight materials to build a prototype.
3. Group Plan: Your team combines your idea with another member’s
concept of integrating voice feedback, creating a more
comprehensive solution.

Design Thinking is a human-centered approach to innovation that draws

from the designer's toolkit to integrate the needs of people, the
possibilities of technology, and the requirements for business success.
Here are some key attributes and steps involved in the Design Thinking
process, particularly focusing on exploring materials and brainstorming
ideas:

1. Empathize

 Understand the User: Deeply understand the needs, challenges,

and experiences of the users you are designing for.

 Observe and Engage: Observe users in their natural environment

and engage with them to gain insights.

2. Define

 Identify the Problem: Clearly define the problem you are trying to
solve based on your insights from the empathize phase.

 Create a Problem Statement: Formulate a clear and actionable

problem statement that guides the design process.

3. Ideate

 Brainstorm Ideas: Generate a wide range of ideas and potential

solutions. Encourage wild ideas and defer judgment to foster
creativity.

 Explore Materials: Investigate different materials, technologies,

and methods that could be used to create the solution. Consider the
properties, sustainability, and feasibility of each material.

4. Prototype

 Create Tangible Representations: Develop prototypes of your

ideas using the materials you have explored. These can be physical
models, sketches, or digital mockups.
  Iterate Quickly: Create multiple iterations of your prototypes to
test different aspects of your solution.

5. Test

 Gather Feedback: Test your prototypes with real users to gather

feedback and insights.

 Refine and Improve: Use the feedback to refine and improve your
solution. This may involve going back to previous steps to make
necessary adjustments.

Key Attributes of Design Thinking:

1. Human-Centered: Focuses on understanding and addressing the

real needs of users.

2. Collaborative: Involves cross-functional teams working together to

generate ideas and solutions.

3. Iterative: Emphasizes rapid prototyping and continuous testing and

refinement.

4. Creative: Encourages out-of-the-box thinking and exploration of

unconventional ideas.

5. Empathy-Driven: Relies on deep empathy for users to guide the

design process.

6. Experimental: Willingness to experiment and take risks to discover

innovative solutions.

7. Holistic: Considers the entire user experience and the broader

context in which the solution will be used.

8. Optimistic: Believes that innovative solutions can be found to even

the most challenging problems.

9. User-Focused: Always keeps the end-user in mind, ensuring that

the solution is usable and desirable.

10. Flexible: Adapts to new insights and changes in the design

process.

11. Material-Conscious: Explores and selects materials

thoughtfully, considering their impact on the environment and the
user experience.
 12. Solution-Oriented: Aims to create practical and effective
solutions that address the defined problem.

Design thinking is a problem-solving approach that emphasizes creativity, collaboration, and

user-centered solutions. Here are 12 key attributes of design thinking, starting with your
mentioned points and expanding further:

1. Explore the Materials – Understanding the tools, resources, and constraints available
for the project.
2. Brainstorm Ideas – Generating multiple creative solutions without judgment.
3. Empathy – Deeply understanding the needs, emotions, and challenges of users.
4. Define the Problem – Clearly articulating the core issue to be addressed.
5. Ideation – Expanding brainstorming into structured idea development.
6. Prototyping – Creating quick and low-fidelity models to test ideas.
7. Testing & Iteration – Gathering feedback and refining the design based on real-
world use.
8. Collaboration – Working in diverse teams to bring different perspectives.
9. Experimentation – Encouraging a mindset of trial and error to discover better
solutions.
10. User-Centered Focus – Keeping the needs and experiences of users at the heart of
the design.
11. Storytelling – Communicating ideas effectively through narratives and visuals.
12. Resilience & Adaptability – Embracing failure as a learning opportunity and
adapting accordingly.

The Foundations of Design Thinking involve key principles and steps that guide the process
of creative problem-solving. Here are 12 foundational elements, starting with the ones you
mentioned:

1. Design a Mind Map of Design Thinking – Visually organizing thoughts, ideas, and
connections related to the design thinking process.
2. Identify the Problem – Clearly defining the challenge or opportunity to ensure the
right focus.
3. Empathy Mapping – Understanding user needs, emotions, and behaviors to create
human-centered solutions.
4. User Research – Conducting interviews, observations, and surveys to gather insights.
5. Define the Challenge – Framing the problem statement in a way that guides
innovation.
6. Brainstorming & Ideation – Generating a wide range of possible solutions without
judgment.
7. Rapid Prototyping – Creating low-fidelity models to quickly test ideas.
8. Testing & Feedback Loops – Iterating based on user feedback to refine solutions.
9. Collaboration & Co-Creation – Engaging diverse perspectives and stakeholders in
the process.
10. Storytelling & Visualization – Communicating ideas effectively through narratives,
sketches, and models.
11. Experimentation & Iteration – Embracing a mindset of learning through failure and
refinement.
12. Implementation & Scaling – Bringing validated solutions to the real world and
optimizing for impact.