Design thinking is a human-centered and systematic approach to creative problem solving, emphasizing phases such as empathize, define, ideate, prototype, and test. Each phase has specific goals aimed at understanding user needs, brainstorming solutions, and refining those solutions through feedback and interaction. Its application spans various fields, including web design, branding, and photography, enhancing user experience and fostering innovative problem-solving.

1. Design Thinking
UNPLUGGED.

2. WHAT IS DESIGN
THINKING?
Attributes include:
+ Human-centered
+ Systematic
+ Tool integral to creative problem solving
+ Proposed by Hasso-Plattner Institute of Design
at Stanford (aka d.school)

3. Empathize
Define
Ideate
Prototype
Test
PHASES OF DESIGN THINKING

4. EMPATHIZE
Goals for this phase:
+ Gain thorough understanding of users and their needs
through engagement
+ Observe user behaviors
+ Research, research, research
+ Probe into pain points
+ Familiarize yourself with user motivations and emotions

5. DEFINE
Goals for this phase:
+ Reflect on research findings
+ Gain deeper understanding of user challenges
+ Make inferences about potential issues
+ Define problem statement
+ Establish point of view from which to solve the problem
+ Base definitions upon findings

6. IDEATE
Goals for this phase:
+ Brainstorm potential solutions
+ Use insights gathered while empathizing with the user
and defining problems
+ Abandon thinking patterns
+ Challenge preconceived assumptions
+ Continue to develop ideas
+ Keep user at the center of the process

7. PROTOTYPE
Goals for this phase:
+ Execute!
+ Realizing ideas into physical form
+ Investigate as many solutions as possible
+ Creating something designers/users can interact with
+ Use as tool for exploration
+ Learn from solutions
!

8. TEST
Goals for this phase:
+ Learn from your progress
+ Gain insights into your solutions
+ Revisit interaction with users
+ Assess effectiveness of solutions
+ Maintain open mind when reviewing results
+ Rework solutions if and when necessary

9. WHY IS DESIGN
THINKING
IMPORTANT?
Innovates problem solving in these
ways:
+ Promotes “out-of-box” thinking with process and purpose
+ Puts humans first
+ Involves use of logic and emotional intelligence
…DESIGN

10. APPLICATION IN
OTHER MEDIUMS
Web + Application design +
development:
+ Design thinking is key to creating positive user experience
+ Prototyping and user testing are important to process
of creating sites/applications
+ Purpose of end product is often solution to
user problems

11. APPLICATION IN
OTHER MEDIUMS
Identity design + branding:
+ Empathizing with clients, users, audience, etc. helps
inform aesthetic design decisions
+ Ideating often takes the form of sketching
+ Feedback from audience provides insights

12. APPLICATION IN
OTHER MEDIUMS
Photography + videography:
+ Capturing emotion is key to creating great work in this
medium, making empathy phase one of the most important
+ When creating work for hire, interviewing client
(empathize and define phase) and getting feedback
(test phase) before delivering work are good ways to
incorporate design thinking

13. APPLYING DESIGN
THINKING ACROSS
INDUSTRIES
How:
+ Redefine the role of the user; it can be anybody
+ Gain thorough understanding of who your ”user” is in
new situations and approach phases accordingly
+ Approach problem solving with individuals affected by
your work in mind

14. FIN.