Design Thinking (DM505-3-M-DT) ASYNC Master Folder

Objective: Participants will use the design thinking process to identify a specific problem, empathize with the people affected by the problem, ideate potential solutions, prototype one of those solutions, and test its effectiveness.

Duration: 2 hours

Activity Overview:

In this activity, participants will work in teams to tackle a real-world problem using the design thinking process. The goal is to understand how design thinking can lead to innovative and user-centered solutions that directly address challenges or needs.

Materials Needed:

• Sticky notes
• Markers
• Large sheets of paper or whiteboards
• Prototyping materials (e.g., paper, cardboard, glue, scissors, tape)
• Access to online collaboration tools (if remote)

Instructions:

1. Introduction to Design Thinking (10 minutes)

• Briefly introduce the five stages of the design thinking process: Empathize, Define, Ideate, Prototype, and Test.
• Explain that design thinking is a problem-solving approach that focuses on understanding the needs of the users and developing innovative solutions that meet those needs.

2. Identify the Problem (Empathize and Define) (20 minutes)

• Empathize: In teams, participants will select a real-world problem that they want to address. This could be something from their personal experiences, work environment, or community.
• To empathize, they will gather insights by discussing who is affected by this problem and how it impacts them.
• Define: Teams will then create a clear problem statement that summarizes the specific challenge they will focus on solving. For example, "How might we improve the daily commute experience for employees in our company?"

3. Ideation Session (Ideate) (20 minutes)

• Teams will brainstorm a wide range of potential solutions to the problem they’ve defined. Encourage participants to think creatively and without limitations.
• After brainstorming, each team will narrow down their ideas to one or two feasible solutions that best address the problem statement.
• Teams should use sticky notes to capture all ideas and organize them on a large sheet of paper or whiteboard.

4. Prototype Development (Prototype) (30 minutes)

• Teams will create a simple prototype of their chosen solution. The prototype can be a physical model, a digital mockup, or even a storyboard that illustrates how the solution would work.
• The goal is to create a tangible representation of the solution that can be tested and refined.
• Encourage teams to focus on key aspects of their solution that need to be tested rather than trying to create a complete or polished product.

5. Testing and Feedback (Test) (30 minutes)

• Teams will present their prototypes to another group or the entire class, explaining how it addresses the problem.
• The other participants will provide feedback on the prototype, focusing on its feasibility, usability, and overall effectiveness in solving the problem.
• Based on the feedback, teams will discuss potential improvements or changes to their prototype.

6. Reflection and Discussion (10 minutes)

• Facilitate a group discussion on the experience of using design thinking to solve a problem.
• Questions for reflection:
  • How did the design thinking process help you understand the problem better?
  • What challenges did you encounter during the ideation and prototyping phases?
  • How did feedback influence your understanding of the solution's effectiveness?
  • How could you apply design thinking to other problems in your work or daily life?

Conclusion:

Through this activity, participants will have experienced firsthand how design thinking is a powerful problem-solving tool. By empathizing with users, clearly defining the problem, brainstorming creative solutions, prototyping, and testing, they can develop solutions that are both innovative and effective in addressing specific challenges or needs.