What is Design Thinking? Process, Framework, and Its Importance in Innovation

What is design thinking? Design thinking is a structured approach to solving complex problems and situations. You begin by understanding who is affected and what they actually need.

Design thinking encourages you to explore possibilities rather than get stuck on limitations. For example, when you have to deal with remote learning or work, design thinking inspires you to focus on improving the experience rather than just fixing productivity problems.

The methodology of design thinking has moved beyond design and found space in business, education, and other fields.

This blog explains what design thinking is, its benefits, and how various design thinking frameworks work.

What is Design Thinking?

Design thinking is a way that helps you come up with creative and useful solutions to problems. The approach employs techniques utilised by designers, yet is not confined to the design domain and is applicable across various disciplines and professions. Herbert A. Simon was the first to explore the idea of design thinking. At Stanford University's d.school, it eventually became a structured method. IDEO helped it become known worldwide.

Design Thinking Frameworks

Design thinking frameworks support clear thinking and outcomes. They guide how you observe complex situations, think through ideas, and turn those ideas into workable solutions. While there are various types of frameworks, the basic concept behind each of them remains similar. All design thinking frameworks push you to question assumptions, understand people's needs, and propose solutions. You may explore two popular design thinking frameworks below.

Head, Heart, and Hand Framework

This design thinking framework by the AIGA (American Institute of Graphic Arts) asks you to balance thinking, feeling, and doing. The ‘head’ helps you analyse the problem using research and logic. The ‘heart’ emphasises developing an understanding towards others' needs. The ‘hand’ inspires you to take action.

Inspire, Ideate, Implement Framework

IDEO’s design thinking framework, ‘Inspire, Ideate, Implement,’ follows a simple loop. You get inspired to create solutions to the various challenges people face. Design thinking and innovation go hand in hand. In the 'ideate' stage, you explore innovative ideas freely without early judgment. You transform ideas into actions by developing solutions during the third stage, called the 'implement'.

Benefits of Design Thinking

One of the most important benefits of design thinking is that it helps you make better decisions. Design thinking helps you tackle challenges in a clear and structured manner. It does not offer quick solutions; rather, it encourages you to explore situations deeply and respond thoughtfully.

1. Builds empathy: You understand user needs, expectations, and behaviours more clearly.
2. Strengthens communication: Teams collaborate better and share ideas openly.
3. Boosts innovation: Creative thinking yields fresh, impactful outcomes.

Importance of Design Thinking

The importance of design thinking lies in its clear, flexible and adaptable method. This approach helps handle complex challenges in a systematic and thoughtful way.

The steps of design thinking and innovation help turn ideas into practical outcomes. By following the design thinking approach, you gain clarity and create useful solutions. The process is organised into five stages, as explained in the next section.

Steps of the Design Thinking Process

Understanding the steps of the design thinking process helps you see how ideas move from thought to action.

Step 1: Empathise
This step focuses on understanding the users you are designing for. Observing, listening, and engaging with users helps uncover their real needs, experiences, and challenges.

Step 2: Define
Here, insights gathered earlier in the ‘empathise’ step are organised to identify patterns and barriers. A clear problem statement is framed from the user’s perspective to guide further thinking.

Step 3: Ideate
With the problem defined, multiple ideas are explored. Techniques like brainstorming or mind mapping help generate diverse solutions without early judgment.

Step 4: Prototype
Ideas are turned into simple, testable forms. These forms may include sketches or models. Prototypes make concepts easier to visualise and evaluate.

Step 5: Test
Prototypes are tested with users to gather feedback, leading to refinement and stronger solutions.

Conclusion

The idea of design thinking has been around and developing for decades. The Design thinking process helps you approach complex situations with clarity, empathy, and creativity. You learn to move beyond assumptions and develop solutions that are practical, meaningful, and adaptable to various challenges.

If you are eager to explore design beyond theory, JAIN (Deemed-to-be University)’s School of Design, Media and Creative Arts (SDMCA) nurtures design thinking and creativity through innovative design education. Explore details for a range of programmes in design and media at the official website.

FAQs

Q1: What is design thinking in simple words?

A1: Design thinking, in simple words, is a structured approach to solving problems by prioritising people’s needs. You begin by understanding real needs, then explore ideas, try small solutions, and improve them based on what works.

Q2: What is the main goal of design thinking?

A2: The primary objective of design thinking is to create innovative solutions that truly help users, can be put into action, and make a meaningful difference in real situations.

Q3: What is ideate in design thinking?

A3: Ideate is one of the stages of design thinking where you let ideas flow freely. You explore multiple possibilities through brainstorming, sketches, or discussions, without judging the ideas.

Q4: When to use design thinking?

A4: You should use design thinking when facing tough and unclear problems, especially the ones involving human behaviour and where standard solutions do not work.

Q5: Is design thinking a skill?

A5: Yes, design thinking is a learnable, practical skill and a way of thinking that grows with practice. You develop it by observing closely, thinking creatively, testing ideas, and learning from feedback.

Q6: Who is the father of design thinking?

A6: Design thinking has evolved with time, and there are many people who have contributed to its development and the present form. Early thinkers like John E. Arnold, L. Bruce Archer, and Herbert A. Simon helped shape the ideas that later evolved into design thinking. Therefore, no single person can be regarded as the father of design thinking.

Q7: Who can use design thinking?

A7: Anyone who is facing a tough problem and looking for a meaningful and unique solution can use it. Whether you are studying, teaching, managing a team, or building products, design thinking helps you solve problems more thoughtfully.

Q8: What is the role of design thinking?

A8: Design thinking’s role is to guide you in solving problems through a structured yet flexible approach. It tests and improves solutions continuously by focusing on people’s needs.