Unit 1

Introduction to Design Thinking

Introduction to Design Thinking:

● Definition: Design thinking is a human-centered problem-solving approach that combinesempathy,

creativity, and rationality to meet user needs and create innovative solutions.
● Key Concepts: User-centricity, empathy, iteration, collaboration, and prototyping.

Traditional Problem Solving vs. Design Thinking:

● Traditional Problem Solving: Linear, step-by-step approach. Often focuses on fixing the
symptoms rather than addressing the root cause.
● Design Thinking: Non-linear, iterative process. Emphasizes understanding the user'sperspective
and continuous refinement of solutions.

History of Design Thinking:

● Origin: Traces back to the 1960s and 1970s, with influences from fields like architectureand
engineering.
● Evolution: Gained prominence in the business world in the 21st century, popularized bydesign
firms like IDEO and Stanford's d.school.

Wicked Problems:

● Definition: Complex, multifaceted issues with no clear solution. Examples include climatechange,
poverty, and healthcare disparities.
● Design Thinking and Wicked Problems: Design thinking is effective for tackling wicked
problems due to its emphasis on empathy, collaboration, and iteration.

Innovation and Creativity:

● Innovation: The process of introducing new ideas, methods, or products. Design thinkingis a
catalyst for innovation by fostering creative problem-solving.
● Creativity: The generation of novel and valuable ideas. Design thinking encourages acreative
mindset throughout the problem-solving process.

Role of Innovation and Creativity in Organizations:

● Competitive Advantage: Innovative organizations are often more competitive andadaptable.

● Organizational Culture: Design thinking promotes a culture of experimentation, learningfrom
failure, and continuous improvement.
Creativity in Teams and Their Environments:

● Team Dynamics: Diverse, cross-functional teams enhance creativity by bringing varied

perspectives to the problem-solving process.
● Environments: Physical and psychological spaces that encourage open communication,
experimentation, and collaboration.

Design Mindset:

● Definition: A way of thinking that embraces ambiguity, curiosity, and a bias towardsaction.
It involves being open to change and comfortable with uncertainty.
● Characteristics: Empathy, optimism, experimentation, collaboration, and a focus onhuman needs.

Introduction to Elements and Principles of Design:

● Elements: Basic building blocks of design, including line, shape, color, texture, and form.
● Principles: Guidelines for arranging elements, such as balance, contrast, unity, andproportion.

13 Musical Notes for Design Mindset:

● Metaphor: Relates design thinking principles to musical notes, emphasizing harmony,rhythm,

and collaboration in problem-solving.

Examples of Great Design:

● Case Studies: Examining successful design projects to extract lessons and insights.
● Inspiration: Showcasing how design thinking has led to impactful and user-centricsolutions.

Design Approaches Across the World:

● Cultural Influences: How different cultures shape design thinking approaches.

● Global Perspectives: Learning from diverse design methodologies and applying them tocreate
culturally relevant solutions.
 Unit 2
Understanding Humans and Empathy in Design Thinking

Understanding Humans as a Combination of 'I' (Self) and Body:

● The 'I' and Body Connection: Recognizing the duality of individuals as both 'self' andphysical
beings.
● Implications: Design thinking considers the holistic nature of individuals, addressing notonly
physical needs but also psychological and emotional aspects.

Basic Physical Needs up to Actualization:

● Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs: From basic physiological needs to self-actualization,

understanding the hierarchy that influences human behavior.
● Design Implications: Design solutions should address a spectrum of needs, fosteringwell-being
and fulfillment.

Prosperity and the Gap Between Desires and Actualization:

● Desire-Actualization Discrepancy: Recognizing the gap between what individuals desireand their
actual experiences.
● Design Opportunities: Design thinking seeks to bridge this gap by creating solutions thatalign with
users' aspirations.

Understanding Culture in Family, Society, Institution, Startup:

● Cultural Context: Recognizing the influence of culture on individuals in various contexts.

● Cultural Sensitivity: Designers should consider cultural nuances to create solutions thatresonate
with diverse user groups.

Socialization Process and Its Impact:

● Social Influences: Understanding how individuals are shaped by societal norms, values,and
interactions.
● Designing for Socialization: Considering the impact of social processes on user behaviorwhen
developing solutions.

Ethical Behavior: Effects on Self, Society:

● Importance of Ethics: Recognizing the impact of ethical choices on individuals andsociety.

● Design Ethics: Incorporating ethical considerations into design thinking processes toensure
responsible and positive outcomes.
Understanding Core Values and Feelings:

● Identifying Values: Exploring the fundamental beliefs that guide human behavior.
● Emotional Design: Acknowledging the role of emotions in shaping user experiences and
preferences.

Negative Sentiments and How to Overcome Them:

● Addressing Negativity: Design thinking involves strategies to identify and mitigatenegative

sentiments in user experiences.
● Positive Design Solutions: Creating solutions that counteract negative emotions andenhance
user well-being.

Definite Human Conduct: Universal Human Goal:

● Common Goals: Recognizing shared aspirations and objectives that cut across diverse
populations.
● Design for Universality: Developing solutions that align with universal human goals andvalues.

Developing Human Consciousness in Values, Policy, and Character:

● Value-driven Design: Integrating values into the design process and outcomes.
● Policy Implications: Considering the alignment of design solutions with ethical andsocietal
policies.

Understanding Stakeholders:

● Stakeholder Analysis: Identifying and understanding individuals or groups affected by or

influencing a design solution.
● Importance: Stakeholder engagement is crucial for creating solutions that meet diverseneeds and
expectations.

Techniques to Empathize and Identify Key User Problems:

● Empathy in Design: Understanding the user's perspective through active listening and
observation.
● Identifying User Problems: Uncovering underlying issues and challenges faced by usersthrough
empathetic techniques.

Empathy Tools:

● Interviews: Conversations to understand user experiences and needs.

● Empathy Maps: Visual tools to synthesize and analyze user emotions and behaviors.
● Emotional Mapping: Mapping user emotions throughout their journey with a product orservice.
● Immersion and Observations: Deep dive into user environments to gain insights.
● Customer Journey Maps: Visualizing the user's experience from start to finish.
● Brainstorming: Collaborative idea generation for innovative solutions.

Classifying Insights after Observations:

● Organizing Data: Categorizing and synthesizing observations to identify patterns andinsights.

● Insight-driven Design: Using observations to inform and inspire the design process.

Classifying Stakeholders:

● Categorizing Influence: Understanding the level of impact and interest of variousstakeholders.

● Tailoring Solutions: Designing solutions that address the unique needs of differentstakeholder
groups.

Do’s & Don’ts for Brainstorming:

● Facilitation Guidelines: Ensuring productive and inclusive brainstorming sessions.

● Fostering Creativity: Creating an environment that encourages free thinking and idea
generation.

Individual Activity: 'Moccasin Walk':

● Empathy Exercise: Putting oneself in the user's shoes to gain a deeper understanding oftheir
experiences.
● Personal Reflection: Encouraging designers to empathize individually before collaborativeideation.