Design Thinking

Start with the main idea

Begin with a Design Thinking mind map that describes the approach as a human-centered methodology for innovation. It introduces direct observation as a way to understand people. Use that starting point to identify the connection between understanding users and developing ideas. There are several maps with the same title, so check their descriptions to find the one you want.

Next, look at How Design Thinking Adds Value to Innovation. It considers how design can make products and services more appealing to users, and refers to logic, imagination and intuition. Compare its emphasis with the first map’s focus on observation.

Follow the process

The design thinking process guide begins with empathy: understanding people in the context of a design challenge. Another mind map outlines a process of empathizing, defining, ideating, prototyping and testing. Read them together to see how the initial work of understanding people relates to the later stages.

Learning Through Doing offers another perspective, connecting a focus on problems and empathy with developing solutions. As you read, note where the maps use similar ideas and where they place their emphasis.

Use flashcards alongside the maps

The Innovation flashcards ask about innovation, what drives it and stages of a product life cycle. They are not a design thinking quiz, but they offer questions to consider alongside the maps. After studying a map, use the flashcards to explore the broader innovation questions, then return to the map and check the connections you noticed.

Connect with the unit

Design Thinking is a section of Innovation and Creativity in Business administration and management (incl. project management). The resources on observation, empathy and innovation provide ways to explore that connection within the unit. Choose a map and begin with the approach that makes the most sense to you.