We are always trying to solve problems, whether it’s figuring out what to have for dinner or how to tackle a big project at work. But have you ever stopped to think about how we actually go about solving these problems? It turns out, there are three key things at play: mindset, thinking, and process.
Let’s start with mindset. Think of it like the glasses you wear to see the world. It’s your attitude and beliefs about things.
For example, if you believe you can learn new things and grow, that’s called a growth mindset. But if you think you can’t change much and you’re stuck with the way things are, that’s a fixed mindset. Your mindset shapes how you approach challenges and whether you see them as opportunities or obstacles.
if you believe you can learn new things and grow, that’s called a growth mindset.
Next up is thinking. This is how we process information and come up with ideas. It’s like when you’re trying to decide what movie to watch or how to fix a leaky faucet. Your brain goes through a series of steps to analyze the problem, come up with possible solutions, and then make a decision. There are different kinds of thinking, like creative thinking and critical thinking, but they all involve using your brain to figure things out.
Your brain goes through a series of steps to analyze the problem, come up with possible solutions, and then make a decision.
Finally, there’s process. This is like the roadmap you follow when you’re trying to get somewhere. It’s a series of steps or actions that help you reach a goal. For example, if you’re baking a cake, you follow a recipe with specific instructions on what to do and when to do it. Processes help keep things organized and make sure you’re moving in the right direction.
It’s a series of steps or actions that help you reach a goal.
Now, let’s talk about design thinking. This is a special way of solving problems that’s all about being creative, empathetic, and collaborative. It’s like putting yourself in someone else’s shoes to understand what they need and then coming up with a solution to help them. Design thinking starts with empathy, which means really understanding what other people are going through. For example, if you’re designing a new product, you might talk to the people who will use it to find out what they like and don’t like.
Then comes creativity. This is when you come up with lots of different ideas, even ones that seem crazy at first. The idea is to think outside the box and explore all possibilities. For example, when Apple was designing the iPhone, they considered lots of different designs and features before settling on the final product.
Finally, there’s collaboration. This is when you work together with other people to come up with a solution. It’s like brainstorming with your friends to plan a surprise party. By sharing ideas and working together, you can come up with something better than you could on your own.
A lot of design is about working Alone Together.
It’s a topic that deserves its own entire discussion and article but for now its important to understand that design involves coming together and going alone and going together and coming alone, a lot.
Now, here’s where it gets really interesting.
The design process is like the engine that drives design thinking. It’s what takes all those ideas and turns them into something real. The design process is all about being curious, resilient, and willing to try new things. It’s about not being afraid to fail because you know that’s how you learn and grow.
For example, let’s say you’re designing a new website. You might start by doing some research to understand what people want from a website. Then, you’d come up with some ideas for how the website could look and function. You’d probably make some rough sketches or prototypes to test out your ideas and see what works best. And finally, you’d refine your design based on feedback from real users.
But here’s where something magical happens: once you’ve learned how to think like a designer and use the design process, you can apply it to all kinds of problems, big and small. Whether you’re trying to redesign your bedroom or solve a global crisis, the principles of design thinking can help you come up with creative, innovative solutions.
once you’ve learned how to think like a designer and use the design process, you can apply it to all kinds of problems, big and small.
For example, let’s say you’re trying to tackle climate change. You might start by talking to scientists and activists to understand the problem better. Then, you could brainstorm ideas for how to reduce carbon emissions or adapt to a changing climate. And finally, you could work with governments and businesses to implement your ideas and make a real impact.
In conclusion, mindset, thinking, and process are the building blocks of innovation. By embracing the principles of design thinking and mastering the design process, we can unlock our creative potential and tackle even the most daunting challenges. So next time you’re faced with a problem, think like a designer and watch the possibilities unfold.
Finally, here is snapshot of the terms with some examples that may help in grasping these ideas better.
References:
1. Inaba, Y. “How Does Systems Thinking Help Design Thinking?” UX Design Bootcamp, 18 May 2020, https://bootcamp.uxdesign.cc/how-does-systems-thinking-help-design-thinking-4553a7133e38.
2. Plattner, Hasso, Christoph Meinel, and Larry Leifer. “Design Thinking Mindset: Developing Creative Confidence.” 2016. https://opus.lib.uts.edu.au/bitstream/10453/133967/3/Design%20Thinking%20Mindset%20Developing%20Creative%20Confidence%20am.pdf.
