Design thinking” is a phrase we’ve been hearing a lot lately, and while it sounds cool, we’re not really sure what it refers to, and how it could benefit us. We asked Jag Garcia, our resource person on design thinking, to enlighten us.
Design thinking or human-centered design is anchored on the premise that meaningful solutions to problems arise from not just understanding the problem, but also from understanding the user. This means that beyond functionality, we need to understand the how—why—when of the product’s intended use. We need to understand the “world” in which the problem, the user, and the solution will exist.
The usual process is as follows:
Begin with empathy
In design thinking, the process begins with gaining a deeper appreciation and understanding of a user’s needs and wants in relation to a problem or challenge.
With this knowledge you can develop solutions that achieve the user’s needs. It sounds simplistic but practicing it is not.
Customers buy. But loyal customers buy again and again and again.
Ask more questions
Design thinking requires us to gain a deeper understanding of problems by framing it within the context of the human experience. While this may sound intuitive the sad truth is that many designs meant for humans are not actually human-centered designs.
Develop a mindset
Thousands of companies—from startups to multinational blue chips—have embraced design thinking as a methodology for product development. It’s fairly straightforward, only has five steps, and allows for flexibility and adaptability to changing market and manufacturing realities.
A design thinker thinks beyond developing an answer to a challenge—he thinks of a solution that matters, to all stakeholders.
Garcia will facilitate “Design Thinking for Innovation: Techniques and Processes to Create User-focused Solutions in the Workplace” on Nov. 21-22.
The Inquirer Academy is at 4168 Don Chino Roces Ave. corner Ponte St., Makati City. For more information about the workshops or if you would like to add your input on the article, please email ask@inquireracademy.com, call (02) 8-834-1557, (02) 8-771-2715 or (0945) 2158935 or visit www.inquireracademy.com.