INNOVATIVE DESIGN &

THINKING (IDT)
BY
ADARSHA M R
ASSISTANT
PROFESSOR
DEPT. OF CIVIL ENGG
SJCIT
MODULE - 1
 Meaning of Design Thinking
Design thinking supports in developing, teaching, learning, and applying strategies to
solve complications in a creative manner in the projects and processes of the business.
 Definition of Design Thinking
Design thinking is a term used to denote a set of strategic, conceptual, and practical
processes in which design concepts are developed.
 Origins of Design Thinking
1963: Origin of using Design to solve complex problems in the book ‘The science of the Artificial’ by Herbert A. Simon
1973: Achieved the idea of design for Design Engineering in the book ‘experiences in visual thinking’ by Robert
McKim
1982: Design methodology is defined and developed
1987: Peter Rowes Book titled “design thinking” describes methods and approaches that planners, designers and
architects use
1980s to 1990s: The work of Robert Mckim was consolidated by Rolf Faste at Stanford university during this period
1991: David M Kelly Founded IDEO and adapted Design thinking to business interests
2009: The design thinking process itself is human centred, offering methods for inspiration, ideation and learning to
designers – Brown
2012: Apply the study of design thinking principles in engineering.
2015: Verbal protocol analysis, cognitive ethnography, controlled laboratory experiments, and other formal methods
from cognitive science have been rigorously applied in engineering
2017: Design thinking reflected in many applications like prototyping, solution-based method is often useful way to
encourage inspiration, ideation and organization learning and human centered methods
 Design Thinker in the organisations
Any individual with the following traits can be design thinker in the organizations,
Individual who has the concern for the individuals and who know the working challenges
in the workplace
Knowledge of multi -functionality of the organization
Vision for developing right process in the organization
Capability to understand the problems on the job and ability to work on the problems
related to the jobs of the organization
 Features of Design Thinking
1. To understand from the perspective of the customers and provides solution for improving
the product and service quality in the organization.
2. To collect feedback from the customers and employees by iteration of prototyping.
3. Expanding the range of solutions to the problems identified in the organization.
4. Enable the design thinkers to develop new products, features or services to customer and
process satisfaction.
5. Providing and eco-system through the interaction with the employees, technical
capabilities and customers.
 Principles of Design Thinking
Human Focused Design Thinking: Understanding from the perspective of the
employees and customers by considering the individuals, beliefs, values and attitudes.
Diversity to work in a team: Considering individuals from different background and to
work in a team by including outside-organization participants (clients, suppliers,
professionals).
Comprehensive: Identify and establish relationships, collaborations, and
communication between seemingly different ideas.
Flexibility and unconventional comfort: Requires flexibility in content and
methodology (repetition of modes and categories).
Communication Skills: Communicate and work in ways like speaking, visual, and
touch.
 Stages of Design Thinking
The five-phase Design Thinking model proposed by the Hasso-Plattner Institute of
Design at Stanford includes:
Empathy
Define
Ideate
Prototype
Test
 Benefits of Design Thinking
It helps to overcome creative challenges.
Helps to meet customer requirements effectively.
It helps to increase your knowledge of Design Thinking.
 Theories and Practices of Design Thinking

Different theoretical perspectives have been used in research into design thinking.
Through protocol analysis to understand the ways designers are making sense of their
own working processes.
Examination of methods for teaching design thinking to design students through
normative decision-based protocol.
Design management helps management scholars and practitioners understand what
design is and why it is relevant to the organizations.
 Theory of Thinking Modes
Analytical thinking : process for separation of things from the visible relationships in
the process and production in the organization.
Judicial thinking : comparing and making judgments based on in-depth analysis in the
thinking.
Synthetic thinking : process to combine two things and ideas with the intention of
making new process and combination.
 Theory of Problem Solving
Analytical problems: includes precise challenges and solution which are based on the
small number of challenges and have precise way of working on the challenge.
Judicial problems: influenced by complex challenges and which require solution that
require correct direction based on the problem statement present through complex
challenge.
Synthetic problems: based on the open concept that has various ways of working of
resolving the problem.
 Theory of Creative Blocks
There are barriers to the creativity of the individual and the individual expresses inability
to access creativity and hence there is a block created in the creativity process of the
individual.
 Theory of Creative Process
A creative process is the choice between the inner and outer, conscious and unconscious
mind of the individual through the process of reflection and active collaboration of the
individual.
Theory of Creative thinking education
and Meta Cognitive Control
Creative thinking is increased through creative education and supports in creating higher
creative achievement among the individuals.
This process also increased the individual creative potential and supports in developing
right mindset for creativity of the individual.
 Practices of Design Thinking
1. Design ideas from the perspective of designers : ideas are used for customer problem
as this is driven by organizational culture.
2. Design thinking from a consultant’s perspective : demonstrates that supporting design
thinking in providing support for complex business issues and providing solutions to
complex business problems in the organization.
 Team based Design Thinking
1. Building the right type of team: Team members from diverse background and specialization
support in providing solution to the challenges faced by the design team
2. Right Team Culture: Involvement of the team members is an important component for
developing right culture; hence, rules, regulations and process of the team have an impact
on developing right culture in the team.
3. Development of higher inclusions, cohesion, interaction and confidence support in
developing effective team for design thinking.
4. Effective communication among the members supports in sharing the ideas and solutions
for the design teams in design thinking.
5. The role of leadership is an important aspect in design thinking, team leader support and
encouragement support the design thinking team in the organization.