Design thinking
A way of tackling open problems with design methods: understanding people, reframing the problem, generating many options and learning by prototyping.
What it’s for
Many problems have no clear statement and no single right solution. Design thinking offers a way to move forward on them without having all the information at the start.
Principles
Focus on people
Understand their needs before proposing anything.
Reframe the problem
Restate it with what you learn.
Learn by prototyping
Test early and go back if needed.
How it’s done
Understand and define. Observe people and reframe the problem with what you learn.
Ideate. Many options before settling on one.
Prototype and test. Build something quickly and learn from how people use it. If needed, go back.
Applications in design
When to use it
When the problem isn’t clear yet: it helps you find it, not just solve it.
Avoid
Reducing it to a workshop with sticky notes: without research with real people, it’s just brainstorming.
Don’t fall for it
The phases aren’t a linear recipe: go back when a prototype teaches you something new.
Connections
Builds on
Authors and works
- 1987
Peter Rowe
Gave this title to his study of how architects and urban planners design, based on observing them at work.
- 1992
Richard Buchanan
Explained that design works with “wicked” problems, which can’t be fully defined before being solved.
- 2008
Tim Brown
Presented it to businesses as a way to meet needs in a technologically feasible and strategically viable way.
Stanford d.school
Teaches it in five modes: empathize, define, ideate, prototype and test.
Sources
Original sources
- Rowe, P. G. (1987). Design thinking. MIT Press.
- Buchanan, R. (1992). Wicked problems in design thinking. Design Issues, 8(2), 5–21. View source: Buchanan, R. (1992)
- Brown, T. (2008). Design thinking. Harvard Business Review, 86(6), 84–92. View source: Brown, T. (2008)
Secondary sources
- Hasso Plattner Institute of Design at Stanford (2018). Design thinking bootleg. Stanford d.school. View source: Hasso Plattner Institute of Design at Stanford (2018)
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