The document discusses design thinking and its principles. It defines design thinking as a creative problem-solving approach that focuses on empathy, ideation, and prototyping. Specific tools of design thinking mentioned include questioning techniques like "What? How? Why?" to drive deeper understanding, and methods like "Powers of Ten" and "2x2 matrices" to analyze problems from different perspectives. The document advocates embracing experimentation and action over extensive planning to drive innovation. In summary, design thinking is presented as a human-centered, iterative approach that can be applied across many fields to create innovative solutions.

1. © YUJ Designs 2016. Confidential Document.
The magic of Design Thinking
Author- Anureet Kaur

2. © YUJ Designs 2016. Confidential Document.
Every problem in this world is an opportunity in itself and the reason why individuals struggle
solving their problems is because 95% of them are thinking of solutions rather than thinking about
the problem.
Design works on this same fundamental principle. If we focus less on the outcome and more on
design thinking as an approach, that can result in a larger impact.
Design thinking is a creative-problem solving approach with specific tools, methods and mindset.
Designers use it to create new values that are different and to create a positive impact.
By practicing it correctly it leads to innovation.
For example - If i give you a piece of paper and tell you to cut it, the first thing which comes to
your mind will be where are the scissors? If we sit back and think about the problem i.e we need
a tool to cut the paper, it is then that we will think of other things like blades, punchers, or a whole
new concept to cut paper. So the secret is that you have to ask the right questions.
2

3. © YUJ Designs 2016. Confidential Document.
“Design thinking is an attitude that gets you ‘un-stuck’.
3

4. © YUJ Designs 2016. Confidential Document. 4
Because it gives the designers a new way of tackling problems. Instead of following to the normal
convergent approach where they make the best choice out of available alternatives, it
encourages them to explore new alternatives, new solutions, new ideas that have not existed
before.
When we are given a task to design something we should disrupt the problem and find out what
the real goal is by asking 'Why' till we reach to the ultimate goal. This is called as root cause
analysis. Similarly there are various tools, methods and mindsets designers must use to give
better solutions. Stanford and IDEO have done an extensive study on the these methods and
tools to be followed for design thinking.
So why design thinking?

5. © YUJ Designs 2016. Confidential Document. 5
Mindsets
A mindset is a person's way of thinking and their opinions.A designer should have these
mindsets to reach the depth of a problem. These mindsets and methods are from studies done
by Stanford school of design
1. Show, don't tell
Communicate what you are thinking by visuals. Its more effective than words. This can be done
by creating experiences, using illustrative visuals, and telling good stories.
2. Focus on human values
Empathy for the people we design and feedback from them is a fundamental to good design

6. © YUJ Designs 2016. Confidential Document. 6
Mindsets
3. Craft clarity
Create a clear vision about the design out of many problems. Frame the vision and put it in a way
to fuel ideation and to inspire others
4. Embrace experimentation
Prototype is not simply a way to validate our idea but it is an integral
part of the innovation process. Think outside the box, prototype, iterate. We think, make and
learn from it
5. Be mindful of process
Know the design process, where you are right now in the process, what methods to use in which
phase and how to apply it to reach the goals

7. © YUJ Designs 2016. Confidential Document. 7
Mindsets
6. Bias towards action
Good design is achieved when its actually made. Many a times we spend so much time in
thinking and we create only one thing.We should strive more towards doing and making things,
iterating again and again after thinking. Doing can also result in innovation
7. Radical collaboration
Bringing together designers and innovators from different backgrounds and varied interests and
viewpoints. When people from different fields come together, breakthrough insights can come up

8. © YUJ Designs 2016. Confidential Document. 8

9. © YUJ Designs 2016. Confidential Document. 9
Methods
There are many different methods to be used in different phases in the design process. These
methods aid us to achieve the perfect solution we are looking for. Some of them are discussed
below:
1. What? | How? | Why?
This is a tool that can help us drive to deeper levels of observation. This is a powerful technique
to use when analysing photos that the team has taken into the field, both for synthesis purposes,
and to direct the team to future areas of need finding.

10. © YUJ Designs 2016. Confidential Document. 10
What? | How? | Why?
Example-There is a picture of kids colouring and playing with their friends and family. The questions
we need to ask are what are they doing? how are they doing it? and why are they doing it this way?

11. © YUJ Designs 2016. Confidential Document. 11
Power of ten
Powers of Ten is a reframing technique that can be used as a synthesis or ideation method. It
allows the design team to use an approach to considering the problem at varied points of framing
which is from one extreme to the other.

12. © YUJ Designs 2016. Confidential Document. 12
Power of ten
Example- In this ten frames are shown from one extreme to other extreme. Image 1 shows a galaxy
and image 10 shows the tiniest cell of human skin.

13. © YUJ Designs 2016. Confidential Document. 13
2x2 matrix
A 2x2 matrix is tool to use it during the synthesis process to help think about relationships between
things or people. The aim is that insights or areas to explore more deeply will come out
from using a 2x2.
2x2 matrices are also a great way to visually communicate a relationship we want to convey.
Pick two spectra (one on each axis). The items could be product, objects, motivations, people,
quotes, materials – any group of things that would be useful to explore. Put opposites on either
end of each axis. You might place coffee drinkers on a matrix of passion for coffee (low-to-high)
vs. economic status (rich-to-poor). Look for relationships by seeing where groups start to form. Try
some combinations, even if you are not sure which is right – the first attempts will inform the ones
to follow.
One common use for a 2x2 matrix is to consider the competitive landscape. In this case, an empty
quadrant could signal a market opportunity (or a very bad idea).

14. © YUJ Designs 2016. Confidential Document. 14
2x2 matrix
Example- There are 26 food brands of which we have to make a 2x2 matrix. In this we have taken
parameters of Indian and global brands on Y axis and cheap and expensive brands on x axis.
Maggi will come under the third quadrant which is cheap and global. When all brands are put in
some quadrant we can find out insights about the relationships between them.

15. © YUJ Designs 2016. Confidential Document. 15
Stoke
Stoke activities help teams loosen up and become mentally and physically active. We can use stoke
activities when energy is wavering, to wake up in the morning, to launch a meeting, or before a
brainstorm.

16. © YUJ Designs 2016. Confidential Document. 16
To conclude
There was a study in 1979 by Bryan Lawson to investigate the different problem-solving
approaches of designers and scientists. The study concluded that scientists solve problems
by analysis, while designers solve problems by synthesis. And design thinking uses both
analysis and synthesis.
Design thinking can be applied to all fields like education, teaching, business, science etc as
the secret sauce to success.
In the end as designers we must always remember that ‘big huge
corporations get beaten by the kids in garage’s through design thinking.’

17. © YUJ Designs 2016. Confidential Document. 17
References
https://dschool.stanford.edu/resources-collections/a-virtual-crash-course-in-design-thinking
https://www.ideo.com/post/design-thinking-for-educators
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Design_thinking

18. © YUJ Designs 2016. Confidential Document.
Have a great day ahead.
http://www.yujdesigns.com/the-magic-of-design-thinking/