Design Thinking
How the journey of a project feels. IDEO
Design thinking is a human-centered approach to innovation that integrates dreams and desires, the total possibilities one can feasibly draw from, and real-world requirements (such as finances and logistics).
The world is a complex place, and there are many variables to take into account while realizing a big life dream. Many of the problems we face are dynamic and multifaceted and often we can’t see from where we are to where we want to go.
The intersection where design thinking lives. IDEO
From IDEO: To think like a designer requires dreaming up wild ideas, taking time to tinker and test, and being willing to fail early and often. The designer's mindset embraces empathy, optimism, iteration, creativity, and ambiguity. And most critically, design thinking keeps people at the center of every process.
The 3 core activities of design thinking. IDEO
Design Thinking encourages the use of divergent thinking for the generation of as many solutions as possible for finding answers to a specific problem, followed by convergent thinking for narrowing them down to the most optimal solution. Few or no limits must be observed during divergent idea generation to foster creative and outside-the-box thinking but it must be followed by a period of winnowing ideas into focus. You don’t have to necessarily throw away ideas at this stage, but you might bookmark them for a future date.
Divergent and convergent thinking. IDEO
Steps
Empathize: Gain a deep understanding of the problem to be solved. The foundations of Design Thinking are on leaving aside any prior assumptions regarding the specific problem. This first stage involves an in-depth comprehension of the context of the problem, the envisioning and research stage. Cast the net wide. Focus on What is?
Define: Synthesize the set of insights gained during the previous stage and identify and clearly phrase the problem to be solved to get closer to your dream. Focus on What should?
Ideate: Generate as many creative solutions as possible for finding answers to limitations. Brainstorm and let loose unlimited thinking. Focus on What if?
Refine: Narrow down to what you feel are key tasks for accomplishing forward movement towards your dream. Take into consideration what needs to happen first and what can be addressed in the future, and work on the things for which you have the resources and ability to do now. Focus on What’s essential?
Validate: With a trusted friend or a coach, go over your plan and ask them to identify any blind spots or missing links. Ask them to be in a forward-looking, creative space to collaborate with you. Then iteratively improve your tasks based on their feedback. Focus on What works?
