What is Design Thinking?

Design thinking can be looked at as a creative problem-solving strategy. Oftentimes while we are at work or school we have a problem at hand and think there is only one way to solve the problem. Perhaps we have been doing something one way for too long, and want to make a change but are not sure how to.
The 5-step design thinking process is a non-linear method that can be used to create and test innovative solutions for any problem. This process can open a whole new style of thinking, and connecting with people or ideas.
The UNBOUND team believes everyone is a natural genius, but as we grow older we may think our ideas are not “good enough.”
What is a natural genius though? To simply put it, a natural genius is YOU! We all have great ideas, but as we move through life’s stages, we train our brains to think a certain way. It becomes harder to think in a way that you are not used to. Therefore, we may not feel like a quote on quote “genius.” A genius is defined as someone with creative power, or the ability to imagine or think in new ways and areas. Through the use of the Design Thinking process, we are doing just that! We are thinking in new ways, and unleashing a creative power many have never realized they have within them.
Successful companies such as Toyota, and IBM have used Design Thinking to empathize with people’s needs, wants, or problems, to then develop and test various solutions so they meet the needs of their people. It is important to understand that Design Thinking should not only be used by businesses or large companies, it is a method to be used by all. Places like a classroom, a laboratory, an event, daily life- you name it. Design Thinking is an exploratory approach to problem-solving, and can be used anywhere.

It all begins with empathy. Step 1 of design thinking is empathizing with the end-user, client, or person’s needs. To solve the problem, a design thinker must first step into the shoes of their end-user and empathetically understand the problem. This step truly allows one to understand the user’s needs, which is why Design Thinking is also referred to as Human Centered Design.
Step 2 is defining the problem at hand by looking at the information observed or collected during the empathy stage. The core problem will be defined.
Step 3 is ideate. During this step, the design thinker will unleash and create ideas or solutions for the problem.
Step 4 is to prototype, or create mini, scaled-down, inexpensive versions of the final idea, and experiment with which can be the best solution.
Lastly, step 5 is to test the solution to see its effectiveness and reactions, and potentially redefine the solution.
Overall, design thinking is a non-linear process of creative problem solving all while listening to the needs of others.