The document explores the significance of mindset in design thinking, emphasizing its role in capability development and practice. It identifies four competency sets required for design professionals: mindset, knowledge, skill, and tool sets, and distinguishes between design thinking as a process and a way of life. The findings highlight the importance of adopting an outcome-oriented and process-oriented mindset for effective problem-solving and innovation.

1. 1
Exploring the role of mindset
in design thinking:
Implications for capability
development and practice
Zaana Howard, Melis Senova & Gavin Melles
Huddle | @wearehuddle & Swinburne | @swinburne

2. Design thinking is a
human centred and
creative approach for
solving complex and
strategic problems.

3. Mindset
Knowledge
set
Skill set Tool set
Adapted from Nelson & Stolterman (2012), The Design Way.
Design led professionals require
four competency sets.

4. Mindset
Knowledge
set
Skill set Tool set
Adapted from Nelson & Stolterman (2012), The Design Way.
Design thinking focuses on
knowledge, skill and tool sets.

5. Mindset is the
secret sauce.

6. Qualitative methodology
an expert interview study and
two organisational case studies.

7. Design thinking
as a way of work.
Design thinking
as a way of life.
Two key mindsets.

8. Design thinking
as a way of life.
Outcome oriented.
Focus on how to
‘be’ for positive
action.
Design thinking as
a way of life.

9. Design thinking
as a way of work.
Design thinking as
a way of work.
Process oriented.
Focus on tools for
results.

10. Mindsets are not
mutually exclusive.
A way of work is a
subset of a way of life.

11. Mindsets and
characteristics.
Human
centredness
and empathy
Visualisation
Creative
thinking
Collaboration
Prototyping
Curiosity
Optimism
Holistic
thinking

12. Mindset
in practice.
Process
Innovation
Commercial gain
Competitive advantage
Way of thinking
Complex problem solving
Positive change
Altruism
Design thinking
as a way of work.
Design thinking
as a way of life.

13. Design thinking
as a way of work.
Design thinking
as a way of life.
Design thinking
maturity matrix.
Design novice.
Design expert.

14. Design thinking
maturity matrix.
Stylist
Design led
professionals
Most
organisations
start here
Social
entrepreneurs
X
X
X
X

15. Mindset
in practice.
Design thinking
as a way of work.
Design thinking
as a way of life.
Time
Experience

16. Mindset
Knowledge
set
Skill set Tool set
Adapted from Nelson & Stolterman (2012), The Design Way.
Growing to maturity requires
all four competency sets.

17. Thank you.
zaana@wearehuddle.com
zaanahoward.com
@zaana