DESIGN THINKING: MODULE 1

SYLLABUS: MODULE 1

Design Thinking Approach:

Introduction to Design Thinking; Iterative Design
Thinking Process Stages: Empathize, Define,
Ideate, Prototype and Test; The double-diamond
Model of design by British Design Council.

Developing concepts:
Steps to develop concepts from functions;
Brainstorming: Mechanism of brainstorming,
Ideation; Creativity: How to increase level of
creativity.
DESIGN THINKING-INTRODUCTION

 Design thinking is a non-linear, iterative process that teams

use to understand users, challenge assumptions, redefine
problems and create innovative solutions to prototype and
test.
 It is most useful to tackle ill-defined or unknown problems.
 The end goal of design thinking:
a. Desirable
b. Feasible
c. Viable
WHY DESIGN THINKING MATTERS:

• User-Centric Solutions:
It prioritizes the user, ensuring that the solutions
developed are practical and valuable.
• Innovation:
Encourages out-of-the-box thinking, leading to
innovative solutions.
• Collaboration:
Promotes teamwork and diverse perspectives, which
can lead to richer ideas and outcomes.
• Adaptability:
The iterative nature of design thinking allows for
flexibility and adaptation to changing needs.
ITERATIVE DESIGN THINKING PROCESS
STAGES
 The iterative design thinking process typically involves five key
stages:

1. Empathize

2. Define

3. Ideate

4. Prototype

5. Test
Iterative Design Thinking Process Stages
 1. EMPATHIZE – Research Users Needs

 First stage of the design thinking process

 Gain an empathetic understanding of the problem your are trying to solve,

typically through user research

 Empathy is crucial to a human-centered design process because it allows you to

set aside your own assumptions about the world and gain real insight into users
and their needs

Depending on time constraints, a substantial amount of information is gathered at

this stage to use during the next stage and to develop the best possible
understanding of the users, their needs, and the problems that underlie the
development of that particular product
Steps are:
a. Observe
• How users interact with their environment.
• Capture quotes, behaviours and other notes that reflect their
experience.
• Notice what they think, feel, need
b. Engage
• Have an engaging conversation with another human being.
• When we have a deep conversation, we typically get a richer set of
insights.
• Learn how to ask the right questions.
c. Listen
• Actively listen to user
• It gives us the opportunity to further explore and understand
somebody even more
 2. DEFINE- State your users' needs and problems

 We put together the information that have created and gathered during the
Empathize stage

 Analyze your observations and synthesize them to define the core problems you
and your team have identified → Problem statements

 Problem statements are concise description of a problem that needs to be solved

1. Preserves emotion and needs of the individual you’re designing for

2 . Includes strong language
3 . Uses sensible wording
4 . Includes a strong insight
5 . Generates lots of possibilities
 A great definition of your problem statement => kick start the ideation process
(third stage) in the right direction.
 3. IDEATE- C h a l l e n g e A s s u m p t i o n s &
Create Ideas

The solid background of knowledge from the first two phases means you can start
to “think outside the box”, look for alternative ways to view the
problem and identify innovative solutions to the problem statement
you’ve created

It is important to get as many ideas or problem solutions as possible at the

beginning of the Ideation phase

Brainstorming is particularly useful

Brainstorming is a method where design teams use to generate ideas to solve

clearly defined design problems
STAGE-4: PROTOTYPE

 It is an experimental phase

 The aim is to identify the best possible solution for each problem found

 Ideas should be visualized as quickly as possible, made tangible, sketched,

designed, modelled/simulated, etc

 The prototype development applies decidedly not only to products, but

also to services.

 Prototypes may be shared and tested within the team itself, in other
departments, or on a small group of people outside the design team.
 Team should produce some inexpensive, scaled-down versions of the product
(or specific features found within the product) to investigate the ideas you’ve
generated.

 By the end of this stage, the design team will have a better idea of the
constraints inherent to the product and the problems that are present, and have
a clearer view of how real users would behave, think, and feel when interacting
with the end product.
 5. TEST

 Final stage of iterative design thinking process

 Evaluators rigorously test the prototypes

 This is an iterative process: Teams often use the results to redefine
one or more further problems.

 Can return to previous stages to make further iterations, alterations

and refinements – to find or rule out alternative solutions.

 Even during this phase, alterations and refinements are made in

order to rule out problem solutions and derive as deep an
understanding of the product and its users as possible.
PRINCIPLES OF DESIGN THINKING

 Leave titles at the door!

There is no hierarchy during a Design Thinking workshop
 Encourage wild ideas!

Let your imagination run wild. Any (supposedly) crazy idea and every
idea should be treated equally
 Go for quantity!
Quantity before quality. Selected, analyzed and evaluated later
 Build on Ideas of others!
There is no copyright. Ideas from others should be taken up,
supplemented or changed
 Think human centered!

Design thinking is first and foremost thinking about people and not about
technology or business goals
 Be visual and make it tangible!
Use drawings, illustrations, photos, videos, prototypes, etc
 Avoid criticism!
Idea generation and evaluation must be strictly separated
 Fail early and often!
Failure means learning. Often failure means that you have learned a lot
 Stay focused!

Set yourself limits, stick to the concrete tasks in the Design thinking
process**
 Let`s have fun!
Developing new ideas in a team should be fun. Creativity needs this fun
 DOUBLE DIAMOND MODEL OF
DESIGN

 The Double Diamond model was developed by the British Design

Council so that designers could follow a standardized design
process and make that process super clear with visual
representation

 The design framework features two diamonds:

1. A diamond that represents the problem

2. A diamond that stands for the solution

 4 D’s of double diamond: Discover, Define, Develop, Deliver

DOUBLE DIAMOND MODEL OF DESIGN
1. Discover: Understanding the Problem Space

 Designers gather insights through research, user interviews, and

observation to understand needs and challenges.

 This phase often involves empathizing with users, allowing

designers to view the problem from the users’ perspectives.

 The insights gained during the Discover phase lay the groundwork
for the subsequent stages of the design process.

 They inform the team about what challenges exist and what
opportunities might be explored, ensuring that the design efforts
are relevant and impactful.
 Example:

 For a wheelchair manufacturing company, the design team

conducts extensive user research, including interviews and
surveys with wheelchair users, caregivers, and healthcare
professionals. They discover key insights:

 Users struggle with navigating uneven surfaces and tight

spaces.

 Many wheelchairs are heavy and difficult to transport.

 Comfort during long periods of sitting is a major concern.

2. Define: Expressing the Problem

 Here, insights from the Discover phase are synthesized to clearly

express the problem.

 This stage involves identifying key themes and defining the design
challenge

 During this phase, the team should focus on creating a clear

problem statement that reflects the needs of the users.

 They should also identify any constraints or limitations that may

impact the design process.
Example:

After analyzing the data, the team defines the core challenge as:
“Current wheelchairs are often cumbersome, making mobility
difficult in varied environments, and lack of adequate comfort
for long-term use.” This focused problem statement guides the
design direction
3. Develop: Ideation and Prototyping
 In this phase, solutions are generated through brainstorming and
prototyping.

 Designers explore various ideas, creating tangible representations

of concepts.

 During this phase, the team should use brainstorming techniques

to generate a wide range of ideas. They should also consider
different perspectives and approaches to the problem.
Example:

The team brainstorms and prototypes several design solutions:

 Lightweight Materials: They explore using carbon fiber or

aluminum to reduce weight without sacrificing strength.

 All-Terrain Wheels: They design larger, more durable wheels to

improve navigation over uneven surfaces.

 Adjustable Seating: They create a prototype with adjustable

seating options to enhance comfort.
4. Deliver:
 The final phase involves refining and finalizing the chosen
solution.

 This includes testing, implementing, and evaluating the design to

ensure it meets user needs

 During this phase, the team should create final prototypes, test
their ideas with users, and refine their designs based on feedback.

 They should also consider the feasibility and viability of their

solutions, and make any necessary adjustments before delivering
the final product
Example:

The team finalizes a design that incorporates lightweight materials,

all-terrain wheels, and an adjustable seating system. They conduct
thorough testing to ensure safety and usability. After successful pilot
testing with users, they prepare for mass production and marketing,
highlighting the wheelchair’s enhanced mobility and comfort
features.
CONCEPT DEVELOPMENT IN DESIGN
THINKING

 Concept development is the bridge between

empathetic understanding and tangible innovation.

 It’s where the insights gleaned from deep dives into

user experiences, needs, and challenges are
synthesized into viable ideas that have the potential
to evolve into impactful solutions.

 Concept development is an ideation process fueled

by the insights gathered during the empathy and
define stages of design thinking.
 It’s a creative endeavor that requires divergent
thinking — the ability to think in varied and
unconventional directions to generate a broad array
of potential solutions.

 It’s also about fostering the right environment and

mindset to nurture ideas that are both innovative
and deeply connected to the user’s needs.
 STEPS TO DEVELOP CONCEPTS FROM
FUNCTIONS

1. Develop concepts for each function

2. For each function or subfunction list all means or

methods to be used

 These secondary lists are the individual sub solutions that, when
one is combined from each list, form the overall design
solution.

 Each row represents all the possible sub solutions for the
particular subfunction
3. Draw up the chart containing all of the possible
sub solutions

 Morphological chart is constructed from the functional

list

 The left-hand column lists each function identified in

the functional diagram

 Across each row, it lists all alternative means(methods)

for achieving the function

 The finished morphological chart contains the

complete range of all of the different (theoretically
possible) solution forms for the product
4. Identify feasible combinations

 This step combine the individual concepts into complete

conceptual designs

 The method is to select one concept for each function

and combine those selected into a single design

 These combinations include existing solutions, new

solutions and impossible solutions

 We can also pick combinations based on “themes” for

each potential solution such as economical one,
environmental one, fancy one etc
A design team is required
to design a retrieval unit
for wheelchairs to assist
nurses performing walking
activities with patients.
The design team for this
wheelchair retrieval unit
develops a function
analysis for the unit and
then creates a
morphological chart.
 The design team developed a function analysis for the unit
as follows:
1. Align wheelchair to patient and nurse
2. Move wheelchair
3. Steer wheelchair
4. Stop wheelchair
BRAINSTORMING

 Brainstorming is to generate a large quantity of ideas

 Research shows that the more ideas, the higher the quality
of the desired product.

 A brainstorming session requires participants to be

prepared to offer all ideas.

 Designers are encouraged to include non-engineers in the

brainstorming sessions

 Best ideas come from people who do not have expert

opinions on the area or subject at hand.
Mechanism of Brainstorming Session

 Participants must be prepared to be highly involved and active

in the session.

 The topics of the brainstorming session need to be specific and

stated clearly.

 It is recommended to provide up to an hour for each

topic/session.
 A set of rules has been developed for brainstorming sessions:

1. No criticism of ideas during the session

One way to prevent the criticism is to disallow discussion during the

session.

2. Wild, silly, and crazy ideas are welcomed

Such ideas may help others generate solid ideas or help maintain a fun
and humorous environment

3. Generate as many ideas as possible

One way to do so is to appoint a facilitator who will keep rotating the

turns without allowing break time.

4. Adding to or improving presented ideas is welcomed

This will help maintain a stream of ideas.

Ideation

 It is a process of generating ideas for a design solution by asking a

set of structured questions

 It relies on the fact that when there are several ideas, the chances
for choosing a good one is higher

 These are a set of 15 classical questions aimed to guide thinking

in particular directions in order to help generate new ideas for a
product

1. What is wrong with it?.

2. How can I improve it?

3. What other uses does it have in its present form?

What other uses are there if the idea is
modified? Can it perform a function that
was not originally intended?
4. Can it be modified?

For example, change, trim, shape, description, weight, sound,

form, contours, etc.

5. Can it be magnified?

Make it larger, higher, longer, wider, heavier, or stronger.

6. Can it be Minified? Make it smaller, shorter, narrower,

lighter, subtract something, or miniaturize.

7. Is there something similar you can adopt? What can be

copied? Can it be associated with something else? is there
something in stock or surplus that can be used?
8. What if I reverse it?

Try a twist: opposites, upside down, turn around, rearrange,

opposite pattern, opposite sequence, etc.

9. Can it have a new look?

Change the color, form, or style: streamline, use a new

package or new cover.

10. Can it be based on an old look?

Copy a period, antique, parallel a previous winner, look for

prestigious features. Trade on “They don’t build them like that
any more.”
11. Can I rearrange it?
Try a different order, interchange components, piece together differently,
or change places.

12. Can it be substituted?

What can take its place? Plastic for metal, metal for plastic, light instead of
dark, round instead of square? What other process, principle, theory, or
method can be used?

13. Can I combine ideas, principles, methods, groups,

components, hardware, or issues.
14. Can I simplify?
Make it easier, less work, easier to reach, disposable, simple to
use, or quicker.
15. Can it be made safer?
What devices, properties, controls, or sensors, can be added to prevent
injury, accident, explosion
Try it:

Pick an existing product and go through the

following questions thoroughly…
CREATIVITY

 Creativity is utilized in all steps of the systematic design

process.
 Research shows that design is a creative process by nature

Definitions of Creativity in relation to design

 Ned Herrmann:

“Creativity in its fullest sense involves both generating an

idea and manifesting it—making something happen as a
result. To strengthen creative ability, you need to apply the
idea in some form that enables both the experience itself and
your own reaction and others’ to reinforce your performance.
As you and others applaud your creative endeavors, you are
likely to become more creative.”
 Lumsdaine

“Playing with imagination and possibilities, leading to new and

meaningful connections and outcomes while interacting with

ideas, people and environment

For effective brainstorming sessions, the
participants must:

1. Have some social relationships(Familiarity among

participants)

2. Have used some of the ideas generated

3. Have some technical experience pertinent to the

problem

4. Have worked some tasks interdependently

How to increase your level of Creativity

1. Know your thinking style

Herrmann developed a metaphorical model of the brain that

consists of four quadrants
 A good team is one that represents a full brain.

 You can train yourself to have all quadrants function at the same
power or increase activities toward utilizing more of a specific
quadrant:

1. Identify the weakness.

2. Attack problems that require the utilization

of a weak quadrant.
2.Use visual imagery

 The inner imagery of the mind’s eye has played a central

role in the thought processes of many creative individuals.

 Most visual thinkers clarify and develop their thinking with

sketches

 Visualization will help enhance memory as each image

stores much more information than words
3. Reframing

 Reframing involves taking problems out of their frame and

seeing them in a different context

 This can help you come up with new and valuable ideas.

 Common habits that limit the ability to change mental

frames:

1. Pursuit of perfection

Many people believe that working hard and long is

sufficient for the perfect solution
2. Fear of failure

Some resist change because they worry about looking incompetent to

others.

2.Delusion of already knowing the answer

Once you find a solution, you might not search for other
options, even if there could be better ones.

4.Terminal seriousness

Many think that humor and serious idea generation can’t go together
Example:

You’re designing a new chair, but you find that it’s uncomfortable for
people to sit on for long periods.

Traditional Thinking:

You might think, “This design isn’t working. I need to start over
completely.”

Reframed Perspective:

Instead, you could think, “This discomfort shows me what features

people need for better support. I can modify my design to incorporate
ergonomic elements without starting from scratch.”

By reframing, you turn a setback into a chance to improve and create a

better product!
4. Humor

Humor helps individuals to find the way back to

creativity because humor indicates a relaxing and safe
atmosphere, and frees individuals' imaginations.

5. Information Gathering
 Gathering information will enhance creativity
 It will allow you to view ideas generated by other creative
minds
Sources of information gathering

1. Using Patents for ideas

Two types of patents

 Utility patents – How the idea works for a specific function

 Design patents – Focus on the look or form of the idea

- Right strategies must be used to find the one that may be

able to use

- Use web search via the Patent Office

 Utilize keywords, patent numbers, inventors, and

categories
2. Reference books and trade journals

3. Consult experts

Those who work long and hard in a domain, performing

many calculations and experiments themselves to find out
what works and what does

4. Use the manufacturer’s catalog or manufacturer’s

representative.
END