How to Use Design Thinking

Key takeaways:

Design thinking is a human-centered, solution-oriented approach used by leading companies like Google and Apple to solve complex business problems.

• Top industry leaders credit design thinking for major successes because it lowers the risk of launching new products by leveraging continuous user feedback.

• Learn to navigate the process of defining a problem, then ideating, prototyping, and implementing a solution, using strategies like design thinking.

• You can develop skills like observing human behavior, challenging assumptions, and creating intuitive experiences by learning about the ux design process.

Design thinking is an innovative approach to finding solutions with applications throughout the business world, in software development, health care, and education. Keep reading to discover how to use divergent thinking and iterative testing to transform your professional problem-solving. Start mastering these innovative techniques today by enrolling in the Design-Led Strategy course by the University of Sydney.

What is design thinking?

Design thinking is an approach to generating ideas that, at its core, puts humans first. Instead of focusing on the problem, this solution-oriented method considers the user. Basing the solution on an empathetic understanding of the user’s needs and how the proposed solution might impact users shifts how you think about addressing the situation. 

Design thinking requires a willingness to explore creative ideas. You move past what you think you know and brainstorm all the possible ways to get something done or make it work.

Design thinking proves particularly useful in tackling ill-defined problems (sometimes referred to as wicked problems) since it encourages out-of-the-box innovation. Focusing on the user's priorities opens up new avenues for product development, business planning, user experience (UX) journeys, software development, and much more.

Divergent vs. convergent thinking

Design thinking invites divergent thinking, which asks you to brainstorm expansively. A divergent thinker views all ideas as equal, pushes beyond the obvious, and generates and collects ideas outside the conventional. While divergent thinking is broad and explores spontaneous connections, convergent thinking is more focused.

Convergent thinking often follows divergent thinking. It narrows the options by taking all the ideas generated from the brainstorming of divergent thinkers divergent. This type of thinking is evaluative, considers constraints and feasibility, and determines the most effective solution to the problem.

Why does design thinking matter?

Design thinking matters because it asks you to shift your mindset and tackle problems differently. This can lead to innovations that fulfill customers’ demands. Heavy hitters like Apple, Google, and Airbnb have all credited some of their successes to design thinking. 

Design thinking helps you or your organization think about the needs of your customers or users. At the same time, it encourages collaboration and taps into everyone’s creative potential. This way of thinking asks you to learn and iterate faster. Plus, it embraces revolutionary ideas and lowers the risk of launching new products and services.

What are the 4 stages of design thinking?

When learning to use the design thinking process, you’ll typically encounter a four or five-stage model. The five-stage option introduces an earlier stage, “empathize,” encouraging you to get to know the user and their wants and objectives. Some, though, simply merge this into what is presented as the first stage, defining the problem.

1. Define the problem.

Identify the question or define the problem that needs a creative solution. You might also see this labeled “clarify” or “clarification” because what you’re doing right now is making sense of the situation and determining the various aspects of the problem you are attempting to solve.

Framing and identifying the right problem can make all the difference in developing the right solution. For example, you may think the issue is that your users have difficulty navigating the instructions for installing your product. In reality, users can follow the instructions but think they are too lengthy.

2. Ideate possible solutions.

Shelve your preconceptions and work to get past the obvious answers to think of breakthrough solutions. Use divergent thinking to push your mind and uncover unexpected solutions to the problem. Working with others, you can harness the power of collaboration and generate a variety of ideas to work with. Open your mind and avoid criticizing others’ ideas; even the most infeasible idea could lead in another great direction.

3. Prototype and test ideas.

Build rough prototypes and make ideas tangible so that you can test them out and gather feedback. Keep experimenting to move the solution forward. Try to avoid spending too long on prototyping one design so you can refrain from getting too attached to a particular idea. You always want to do this with the user in mind. In testing, seek feedback rather than giving directions and telling people how to use your solution.

4. Implement your solution.

The previous steps lead to the point where you put your idea into practice. With design thinking, you can invest a significant amount of time, effort, and funds during this process step. It tends to be a rigorous stage because you will continue to refine your solution—based on the effectiveness of each iteration—until you identify the best one.

Your ultimate objective is to fully comprehend the product and the customer's needs.

How to incorporate design thinking into your career

Design thinking requires various skills, such as observing human behavior, challenging assumptions, and conducting user research. The following strategies can help you cultivate the right mindset.

Observe human behavior

Human users sit at the center of design thinking. Observing how people act, think, work, and talk can develop your empathy for their emotional needs. To innovate with the end user in mind, you need to understand their struggles and feel a connection to them to provide a truly valuable solution.

Challenge assumptions

Questioning expert opinions and reimagining how things happen are critical to design thinking. Taking a fresh look at a conventional approach can lead to something entirely new and groundbreaking. 

User research

Identify new possibilities and needs by observing users, interviewing potential customers or end users, and exploring their responses to learn how they use the product or service (or what holds them back). Interacting with the user can provide you with a nuanced version of the problem, leading you to a more effective solution.

Continue learning with free resources

Expand your knowledge on technology, UX design, and business with these free resources:

• Watch our video: Exploring In-Demand UX Designer Skills

• Read about possible jobs: UX Career Progression: Job Levels & Skills to Advance

• Subscribe to our newsletter: Career Chat

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