Design Thinking: Theories and Applications

Design t hinking has become very popular recently. It is because many people believe that de sign t hinking can help generate innovative solutions. Many business and non-business organizations are adopting it to resolving their problems. Even business schools and other disciplines include d esign t hinking in their curriculum. Then, what is d esign t hinking, really? And how can it benefit us? Design t hinking is commonly recognized as a problem-solving process that includes five stages - Empathize, Define, Ideate, Prototype and Test. However, when we compare the d esign t hinking process with the conventional problem-solving process, there are no major difference s , except the implementation part. Design t hinking looks at problems with a holistic and human-centric perspective. It also tackles complex problems by using a non-linear approach. However, some people claim that considering d esign t hinking as a problem-solving process is too simplistic. Actually , d esign t hinking should be considered as behaviors and attitudes when dealing with problems. Design t hinkers use different thinking styles and attitudes when approaching problems. Design t hinkers possess certain personal traits like human-centered ness , having a flexible and creative thinking style, being comfortable with subjective and intuitive judgement, and high self-efficacy. These thinking styles and attitudes help not only in problem-solving but also in finding opportunities . In order to be proficient in d esign t hinking , we should not only understand the d esign T hinking process, but also have to make ourselves become a design thinker. This MOOC provides you with core knowledge about d esign t hinking and demystifies d esign t hinking as a process for solving complex and wicked problems.

• Understand the importance of design thinking in solving complex and wicked problems.
• Recognize the theories and practices of design thinking in the problem-solving process.
• Apply design thinking approach to solve complex and wicked problems.
• Use appropriate design thinking tools to help in the problem-solving process.
• Understand design thinking is more than a problem-solving process.
• Develop the necessary attitudes to become a design thinker.