Design Thinking

This key understanding refers to the process of designing and building digital outcomes and solutions. It encompasses a creative problem solving process where students generate new ideas for further development and evaluate these based on criteria to help them design meaningful solutions to the problems posed.

At the heart of Design Thinking is the intention to improve products by analysing and understanding how users interact with products and investigating the conditions in which they operate. Throughout this process, students are encouraged to: understand the user, challenge assumptions, and redefine problems.

Check out d.school’s method of design thinking:

There are a number of different models that fall under design thinking, but this model by d.school at Stanford University is frequently used. It involves a five step process; empathise, define, ideate, prototype, and test.

• Empathise: Gain a deeper understanding
• Define: Find needs & Insights
• Ideate: List visual solutions
• Prototype: Create physical mockup
• Test: Seek feedback from end-users

Just to clarify, these five steps are not always sequential. They do not have to follow any specific order. Learners cycle through the process any number of times to arrive at a workable end solution.

Check out this graphic by Interaction Design Foundation;