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Comprehensive Notes Design Thinking

The document outlines a comprehensive syllabus on design thinking, covering topics such as traditional design, innovative design, empathy, and prototyping. It emphasizes the importance of creativity in problem-solving and innovation, detailing processes, techniques, and team dynamics involved in design projects. Additionally, it discusses the role of innovation in entrepreneurship, including types of innovation and diffusion theory.

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8 views4 pages

Comprehensive Notes Design Thinking

The document outlines a comprehensive syllabus on design thinking, covering topics such as traditional design, innovative design, empathy, and prototyping. It emphasizes the importance of creativity in problem-solving and innovation, detailing processes, techniques, and team dynamics involved in design projects. Additionally, it discusses the role of innovation in entrepreneurship, including types of innovation and diffusion theory.

Uploaded by

fggv7cqrsq
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Comprehensive Notes on Design

Thinking Syllabus
Unit I: Design Process
Topics Covered: Traditional design, Design thinking, Existing sample
projects, Design composition, Innovative design, Reframing,
Creativity principles, Empathy, Observation

Traditional Design: This refers to conventional design methods where the focus lies on
structured planning, aesthetics, functionality, and linear problem-solving. It often follows
the waterfall model where phases like research, sketching, prototyping, and execution are
strictly ordered.

Design Thinking: A non-linear, iterative process that involves understanding users,


challenging assumptions, redefining problems and creating innovative solutions through
prototyping and testing. It integrates empathy, creativity, and rationality. For example,
IDEO’s human-centered designs use this method to redesign shopping carts for better safety
and utility.

Sample Projects: Examining existing product designs like iPhones, Google Home, or
ergonomic chairs helps in identifying user-centric features and the thinking behind design
decisions.

Composition/Structure: Design composition includes visual hierarchy, balance,


alignment, contrast, repetition, proximity, and white space. These elements ensure clarity
and aesthetics. Example: magazine layouts strategically place headings and images for
maximum readability.

Innovative Design: Pushes the boundaries of existing conventions. It encourages out-of-


box thinking using approaches like biomimicry (e.g., bullet trains inspired by kingfisher
beaks).

Reframing Problems: Seeing the same problem in a new way. For instance, rather than
seeing traffic as a logistics problem, seeing it as a behavioral or environmental challenge
opens up new solutions like carpooling apps.

Creativity Principles: Includes techniques like divergent thinking (many ideas),


convergent thinking (narrowing down), lateral thinking (unusual angles), and incubation
(letting ideas settle subconsciously).
Empathy: Involves understanding users by observing, interviewing, and stepping into
their world. Empathy maps and user personas are used. Ex: Empathizing with blind users
led to voice-assistive interfaces.

Observation: Crucial for uncovering hidden needs. Example: observing commuters led to
innovations like standing desks and foldable laptops.

Unit II: Design Team


Topics Covered: Team formation, Visual thinking, Sketching, Patents,
Concept generation, Concept selection, Concept testing

Team Formation: An effective design team blends roles like UX designers, researchers,
marketers, and developers. Cross-functional teams enhance creative output by offering
diverse perspectives. Agile frameworks help in organizing such teams.

Visual Thinking: Using imagery to process and express ideas. Sketches, diagrams, and
storyboards simplify complex thoughts. Architects and product designers rely on visual
metaphors to communicate visions.

Sketching: Rapid sketching allows ideation without technological constraints. Napkin


sketches often evolve into full products. Ex: Tesla's Cybertruck started from free-hand
concepts.

New Concept Thinking: Ideating futuristic, non-obvious solutions. Tools include analogy
thinking (Uber for doctors), exaggeration, and SCAMPER.

Patents & IP: Safeguards ownership of novel inventions. Vital for commercialization.
Utility patents protect product functions, while design patents protect aesthetics.

Concept Generation: Divergent techniques like brainstorming, mind mapping, and role
play are used. Convergent tools like SWOT and feasibility matrices help filter ideas.

Concept Selection: Ideas are ranked using criteria like feasibility, user impact, cost, and
novelty. Decision matrices aid this phase.

Concept Testing: User feedback is collected through A/B testing, clickable prototypes, or
interviews. Iterative cycles improve alignment with user needs.

Unit III: Prototyping


Topics Covered: Opportunity identification, Prototyping principles,
Technologies, 3D printing, Testing
Opportunity Identification: Begins with pain-point analysis and user journey mapping.
For example, noticing long checkout lines can trigger ideas for automated billing.

Principles of Prototyping: Start small, test often, fail early. Low-fidelity prototypes
(paper sketches) evolve into high-fidelity ones (working models).

Prototyping Technologies: Digital: Figma, Adobe XD; Physical: Arduino, Raspberry Pi;
Hybrid: 3D CAD with embedded sensors.

Wooden/Clay Models: Used in early industrial design. These help test proportions,
ergonomics, and interactions physically.

3D Printing: Enables quick transformation of digital designs to physical products. Used in


biomedical (prosthetics), automotive (engine parts), and fashion industries.

Testing: Involves observing user interactions, recording feedback, and iterating based on
learnings. Example: Netflix uses prototype testing to optimize interface layouts.

Unit IV: Creativity in Innovation


Topics Covered: Creativity process, Types, Techniques, Workshops,
Problem-solving, Design thinking

Creativity Meaning: It is the use of imagination to produce original and valuable ideas. It
blends novelty with relevance.

Creativity Process: 1. Preparation: Research and immersion


2. Incubation: Mental rest
3. Illumination: Aha moment
4. Verification: Validating the idea

Types of Creativity: Deliberate (planned), spontaneous (random), artistic (expressive),


and scientific (structured).

Techniques: Includes mind maps, reverse thinking, role-playing, brainwriting, metaphor-


based ideation. Helps in lateral idea development.

Workshops: Facilitated group activities like ‘Crazy 8s’, ‘SCAMPER circles’, and ‘Design
charrettes’ boost collaborative innovation.

Problem Solving with Design Thinking: Frame the problem → Research users →
Ideate → Prototype → Test → Repeat. Human-centered and iterative.
Unit V: Innovation in Entrepreneurship
Topics Covered: Types of innovation, Diffusion theory, Innovation
drivers, Bottom-up and Top-down, Horizontal vs Vertical

Innovation Meaning: The process of translating an idea into a product or service that
creates value or solves a problem.

Types: Product (e.g., smartphones), Process (e.g., automation in factories), Disruptive (e.g.,
Airbnb), Incremental (e.g., better camera in phones), Radical (e.g., CRISPR gene editing).

Diffusion Theory: Explains how innovations spread in society. Innovators (2.5%), Early
Adopters (13.5%), Early Majority (34%), Late Majority (34%), Laggards (16%).

Innovation in Organizations: Through internal R&D labs, open innovation


(crowdsourcing), partnerships with startups, and corporate accelerators.

Drivers of Innovation: Customer demand, competition, regulation, resource scarcity,


and tech advancement.

Bottom-up vs Top-down: Bottom-up: Employee suggestions implemented


Top-down: Vision driven by leadership

Horizontal Innovation: Applied across sectors. E.g., AI used in agriculture, healthcare,


and retail.

Vertical Innovation: Deep application within a sector. E.g., specialized medical AI for
oncology.

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