introducing...
design thinking
Zaana Howard | Associate Lecturer | Information Systems School
QUT | 8 March 2013

two things:
What is design thinking?
The design thinking process

what is
design thinking?

design is changing...
Designer chairs, “Eames Duo 2” by moguphotos
http://www.flickr.com/photos/bygenejackson/3112409205/

design is evolving...
h"p://designtaxi.com/ar4cle.php?ar4cle_id=415

to design
thinking…
Timeline detail by Garrettc
http://www.flickr.com/photos/garrettc/2575214144/

design thinking starts with...
We are Snook
http://web.fumsi.com/go/article/use/64147

design thinking is a
human centred &
collaborative
approach to problem solving that is
creative, iterative &
practical.
(Brown, 2008)

design thinking integrates...
business
(viability)
people technology
(desirability)
(feasibility)
Adapted
from
Brown
(2008).

Is a balance of thinking...
From
Mar4n
(2009)

a note on language:
user centred design;
human centred design;
user experience;
design thinking (+ more...)
often interchanged, all related but
each has its own distinct definition,
history and foundations

the
design thinking
process

design thinking comprises
mindsets & modes

design thinking mindsets
empathy
show don’t tell
experiment
h"p://dschool.stanford.edu/wp-­‐content/uploads/2011/03/BootcampBootleg2010v2SLIM.pdf
14

design thinking mindsets
mindfulness
action oriented
collaboration
h"p://dschool.stanford.edu/wp-­‐content/uploads/2011/03/BootcampBootleg2010v2SLIM.pdf
15

design thinking modes
Hassno Platner Institute of Design design thinking modes

design thinking modes
Empathy:
when you feel what the other person is feeling and
can mirror their expression, their opinions, and
their hopes.
Why?
to discover people’s explicit and implicit needs so
that you can meet them through your design
solutions.
Hassno Platner Institute of Design design thinking modes

example
understanding how the
elderly with arthritis take
medication
85 years by jaded one http://www.flickr.com/photos/druggedmoon/18505313/

design thinking modes
Define:
Defining the problem using a unique, concise
reframing of the problem that is grounded in user
needs & insights
Why?
expose new opportunities by looking at things
differently; guide innovation efforts; make sure
we’ve identified something worth working on
Hassno Platner Institute of Design design thinking modes

design thinking modes
Ideate:
generating many possible solutions to a
problem
Why?
generate maximum innovation potential in a short
amount of time; incorporate different perspectives;
build excitement
Hassno Platner Institute of Design design thinking modes

example
design thinking for better healthcare derived from
experience from hotel and airline industries
http://www.psfk.com/2010/02/does-healthcare-need-a-shot-of-design-thinking.html
http://www.priestmangoode.com/content/uploads/The-Health-Manifesto.pdf

design thinking modes
Prototype:
is creating a concrete embodiment of a concept
which becomes a way to test your hypotheses get
you closer to your final solution
Why?
to gain empathy; to explore; to test; to inspire
Hassno Platner Institute of Design design thinking modes

prototyping
fail early fail often
cost of failure vs. project time

design thinking modes
Test:
test your concept with users using your
prototypes/
Why?
To understand how users understand and use
the concept. It is a way of continuing to gain
empathy for your users and evaluate your solution.
Hassno Platner Institute of Design design thinking modes

example
Mayo Clinic exam room redesign
Watch a video about the exam room rediesign: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h8eftsNB9xs

non linear process

non linear process example
Brown
(2008)

modes of thinking
flare
focus
Hassno Platner Institute of Design, Stanford University

how design feels
Daniel Newman, Central Office of Design

key is collaboration:
most problems are too complex for
one person.
multiple perspectives, skills,
disciplines, experiences and
knowledge is key.

top three takeaways:
• design thinking is an approach to
problem solving & innovation
• 5 modes of design thinking guide
the design process
• people first!
Zaana Howard | QUT
@zaana | zaanahoward@gmail.com | zaanahoward.com