Lesson 1: Introduction to Design Thinking (KM-09-KT01)
Lesson Outcomes
By the end of this lesson, learners will be able to:
- Understand the philosophy of design thinking
- Explain key concepts and approaches
- Define design thinking terminology
- Understand the history and evolution of design thinking
Lesson Overview
Design thinking is a modern, human-centred approach to solving problems. It focuses on understanding users deeply and developing innovative solutions through iterative processes.
It is widely used in:
- Business
- Technology
- Product development
- Innovation strategy
Unlike traditional problem-solving, design thinking focuses on:
👉 People first, solutions second
1. Philosophy of Design Thinking
Design thinking was developed as a way to understand:
- How designers think
- How innovation happens
- How problems can be solved creatively
It is defined as:
A human-centred approach to innovation that integrates the needs of people, the possibilities of technology, and business requirements.
Key Idea:
Design thinking is not just a process — it is a mindset.
2. The 5 Core Phases of Design Thinking
Design thinking follows a non-linear, iterative process consisting of five phases:
- Empathize – Understand the user
- Define – Identify the problem
- Ideate – Generate ideas
- Prototype – Build solutions
- Test – Evaluate solutions
These phases are repeated continuously to improve outcomes.
👉 It’s not step-by-step… it’s loop-by-loop.
3. Approach and Concepts
Design thinking is a problem-solving approach that:
- Focuses on user needs
- Uses observation and empathy
- Encourages experimentation
- Promotes innovation
UX Approach Example:
Understanding users through:
- Research
- Behaviour analysis
- Testing
The goal is to create solutions that are:
- Useful
- Usable
- Desirable
4. Definitions and Terminology
Design thinking is:
- A non-linear approach to problem solving
- Based on observing human behaviour
- Focused on improving real-life experiences
Key Terms:
- Empathy
- Prototype
- Iteration
- User-centred design
👉 Big words… simple idea: solve real problems for real people.
5. History of Design Thinking
Design thinking has evolved over decades:
- 1950s – John E. Arnold introduces creative engineering concepts
- 1960s–1980s – Design methods expand into broader disciplines
- 1990s – IDEO formalises design thinking
- Modern Era – Widely used in business and innovation
Key Contributors:
- John E. Arnold
- L. Bruce Archer
- David Kelley (IDEO)
Design thinking became popular because organisations needed:
- More creativity
- Better innovation
- Improved problem-solving
Key Takeaway
Design thinking is a powerful approach to innovation that combines:
- Human understanding
- Creativity
- Practical problem-solving
It shifts thinking from:
❌ “What is the solution?”
✅ “Who is the user and what do they need?”