DesignThinking is aniterative process inwhichwe seek to understand the user, challenge assumptions, and redefine problems inanattempt to identify alternative strategies and solutions that might not be instantly apparent withourinitial level of understanding. At the same time, DesignThinking provides a solution-based approachto solving problems. It is a way of thinking and working as well as a collectionof hands-onmethods.

DesignThinking revolves around a deep interest indeveloping anunderstanding of the people forwhom we’re designing the products orservices. It helps us observe and develop empathy withthe target user. DesignThinking helps us inthe process of questioning: questioning the problem, questioning the assumptions, and questioning the implications.

DesignThinking’s Phases

There are many variants of the DesignThinking process inuse today, and they have from three to sevenphases, stages, ormodes. However, all variants of DesignThinking are very similar. All variants of DesignThinking embody the same principles, whichwere first described by Nobel Prize laureate Herbert SimoninThe Sciences of the Artificial in1969. Here, we will focus onthe five-phase model proposed by the Hasso-PlattnerInstitute of Designat Stanford, whichis also knownas d.school. We’ve chosend.school’s approachbecause they’re at the forefront of applying and teaching DesignThinking. The five phases of DesignThinking, according to d.school, are as follows:

Empathise – withyourusers

Define – yourusers’ needs, theirproblem, and yourinsights

Ideate – by challenging assumptions and creating ideas forinnovative solutions

Prototype – to start creating solutions

Test – solutions

