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What is Design Thinking?

Design Thinking is a human-centered innovation method that approaches complex problems with a creative mindset. But Design Thinking is more than just a process combined with a few new tools and techniques. It is a mindset - an open way of communicating, cooperating, experimenting and working together with empathy, excitement and inspiration.

Where was Design Thinking created?

With the foundation of Stanford University’s D-School, Hasso Plattner introduced Design Thinking in 2005. In 2007, the German D-School at HPI in Potsdam opened and the method began gaining popularity in Germany.

Who uses Design Thinking?

The method is utilized in small, medium and large enterprises across all industries. Its creative way of working is used in product development as well as in process optimization.

How does Design Thinking work?

Working in a Design Thinking mode is based on an iterative process that is separated into six phases. The first three phases make up the problem space. Here it is important to gain a thorough understanding of the problem at hand. In the solution space, which consists of the last three phases, a solution is approached. Taking a step back at any time is encouraged in Design Thinking because iteration can help develop ideas and optimize solutions.

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DESIGN THINKING

Problem Space Solution Space

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What is needed for a Design Thinking project?

In addition to the iterative process, there are two other aspects that are essential for the success of a Design Thinking project: the team and the space.

An ideal Design Thinking team is interdisciplinary and has members from different areas of expertise as well as different hierarchical

levels within the company. This way, the problem is looked at from different perspectives that complement each other and often bring about unexpected results.

The aspect of space is to be understood in two ways. A Design Thinking room characteristically has a lot of free space - contrary to a classic meeting room. Instead of one round table there are often bar tables and only few seats available. The room features space to walk around, to present and to build things. Ideally, there is also a supply of materials for prototyping available.

In addition to the actual room, offering enough time and the freedom to support a creative culture is also important. Even the most ludicrous ideas can be developed and made into realistic ones. An open mindset is the essence of Design Thinking.

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“We spend a lot of time designing the bridge, but not enough time thinking about the people who are crossing it.”

– Dr. Prabhjot Singh,  Director of Systems Design at the Earth Institute