In our everyday life, it is very common for us too see that most companies have adopted design thinking as their standard innovation method. Precisely because it can be seen so often, some people ask themselves – is this hype or a revolution?
My suggestion, read the tidbits of knowledge below and answer the question for yourself.
Knowledge tidbits 1 – Design thinking is not a method
In contrast to many other innovation methods, design thinking is not a method in the traditional sense – design thinking is an approach that is intended to solve problems and develop new ideas. So it is more than just a method.
PS: In this context, problem solving does not necessarily always have to have an innovation context.
Knowledge tidbits 2 – Design thinking must be translated correctly
The correct translation of “design thinking” must be “thinking like an inventor”. You could also say that the developers of Design Thinking have taken a close look at how successful inventors and developers have gone about bringing their discoveries to light. One of the key findings was that no inventor starts directly with brainstorming – they all start by thoroughly understanding the given challenge.
Knowledge tidbits 3 – The three basic principles
Design thinking is based on three essential, equally important basic principles or components: Team, Space and Process. Only when all three components are visible in the work with Design Thinking is it Design Thinking. And if that is not the case, you should call what you are doing something else.
Knowledge tidbits 4 – The assumption
Design thinking is based on the assumption that problems can be solved more efficiently if people from different disciplines and teams work together in a space that promotes creativity, develop a question together, take into account the needs and motivations of customers and then design concepts that are tested and modified several times (pivoting). The process is based on the work of inventors and developers, which is understood as a combination of understanding, observation, brainstorming, refinement, execution and learning.
Tidbits of knowledge 5 – Team
The leading approach here is exclusively multidisciplinary work with people from at least 3 to 5 disciplines, departments or teams. So if only people from a team use design thinking, it is not design thinking.
Tidbits of knowledge 6 – Space
On the subject of creative spaces in general, I have compiled some information about creative spaces in the article Creative spaces are not a nice option. You can find an example of a space that is ideally suited to Design Thinking on the Hasso Plattner Institute website or by searching for “Creative Workspaces” on Google. The focus here is on a flexible room concept with movable furniture. A book recommendation at this point is “Design Thinking – Das Handbuch”, published by Frankfurter Allgemeine Buch. Here, too, the topic of “creative spaces” is dealt with in great detail.
Characteristics of creative spaces are e.g:
- Encouraging interaction,
- Stimulation of creativity,
- free choice of workplace,
- Workplaces for co-creation,
- large tables and work surfaces,
- Sources of inspiration such as libraries,
- natural and direct light.
Knowledge tidbits 7 – Process
The third pillar is an iterative work process consisting of the phases of understanding, observing, synthesizing, brainstorming, prototyping and testing. It is important to know that this process also has different variants. Design Thinking does not fundamentally determine which micro-methods are used in the individual phases. Here you can choose from many hundreds of methods and model your own process.
Knowledge tidbits 8 – Scaling
Design thinking can be scaled flexibly and also applied outside the innovation corridor. From two-day short workshops to months-long intensive strategic project scenarios, everything is conceivable here and is also put into practice.
Knowledge tidbits 9 – Design thinking is not new
This thesis is immediately confirmed when you look at Renaissance artists such as Leonardo da Vinci, for example. Their work already followed the same principles. Everything always begins with a deep understanding and intensive observation. Leonardo, for example, spent weeks drawing water swirls in order to understand the water and its transportation precisely. Only then are conclusions drawn and the creative work begins.
Prototyping and testing correspond to the fact that works of art were repeatedly changed and painted over during their creation. Also tried and tested back then: inspiring spaces and multidisciplinary work. Both can be found, for example, in the art school of our namesake Andrea del Verrocchio. Artists from a wide range of disciplines worked together interactively in large, inspiring spaces.
PS: My answer to the question at the beginning is: It’s definitely not hype if it was already being used in the Renaissance. But Design Thinking can only be a revolution for your company if you see and use it holistically – and not just as a method.
