Reflection on the Visualization Tool

Challenge

Coming from an engineering background, I have noted while sharing new ideas and concepts  among the various stakeholders, there is a less usage of Visual Imagery. Though the times are  changing and new tools are available, still considering that the stakeholders are from different  backgrounds, there is always a strong emphasis on the need of the Visualization tool during the  design thinking process.

Selection

In this reflection, I have selected the Visualization tool to highlight its emphasis in the industrial  environment. To explain the need of this tool I will give an example of the word ‘force'. This word  has many different ‘sub-meanings' when used in different fields. These fields may include English,  Physics, Chemistry, Design, the entire diverse world of engineering etc. Thus to emphasis on the  right ‘sub-meaning’ of ‘force', we employ the use of Visualization design tool, so that the  stakeholders get an exact insight and understanding of what the presenter is trying to convey.

Application

After explaining the need for this design tool, the next question is how do we apply it? In this  diverse world, the applications of employing this design tool are many. I will give my example of  how I had employed this design tool. As I have mentioned earlier that I am from am engineering  background, my job is to generate as many ideas as possible. With that done, the next question  is how to share these ideas with my stakeholders in an impactful way? How can they understand  what I am trying to say or how will the concept work?

The answer is to simply convey my ideas through pen and pencil. Of course you need some Da  Vinci magic to make it more impactful, but a simple sketch will do a better job than many pages  of engineering gibberish. Keep your stakeholders and their background in mind during a  presentation or a proposal. Canva is another tool that I use to make the presentation more  ‘stakeholder friendly'. We as Design thinkers need to convey as much information as possible in  the least amount of time, in a much impactful way.

After getting positive responses (sometimes negative) from our stakeholders, especially now  they have understood the real concept, then we can move in the next phase of the design

process. We can improve the communication in the team as they now have full information on  the required problem and thus reduce miscommunication and wastage of time.

Insight

Previously, I did not emphasise strongly on the Visualization design tool, but now learning of  various stories mentioned in this course modules, especially The Good Kitchen story, I have  realised its necessity. Although Design thinking is not just the use of a single design tool to solve  a particular task, but rather it is a way of approaching a challenge using a number of design tools.  Therefore in employing other design tools along with Visualization tool, I hope to become a better  Design thinker.

Approach

With the world now focusing more on customer experience and with the advent of new  technologies, it is only logical that the Visualization tool should be used more often, be they  include simple graphics or the more compelling pictorial representations. The use of Virtual  reality can provide a much more holistic experience to the involved stakeholders. I would like  end with a question, that is, could you imagine yourself as a child learning alphabets without any  visuals?


Reflection on the Visualization Tool Challenge Coming from an engineering background , I have noted while sharing new ideas and concepts among the various stakeholders , there is a less usage of Visual Imagery . Though the times are changing and new tools are available , still considering that the stakeholders are from different backgrounds , there is always a strong emphasis on the need of the Visualization tool during the design thinking process . Selection In this reflection , I have selected the Visualization tool to highlight its emphasis in the industrial environment . To explain the need of this tool I will give an example of the word ‘ force ' . This word has many different ‘ sub - meanings ' when used in different fields . These fields may include English , Physics , Chemistry , Design , the entire diverse world of engineering etc . Thus to emphasis on the right ‘ sub - meaning ’ of ‘ force ' , we employ the use of Visualization design tool , so that the stakeholders get an exact insight and understanding of what the presenter is trying to convey . Application After explaining the need for this design tool , the next question is how do we apply it ? In this diverse world , the applications of employing this design tool are many . I will give my example of how I had employed this design tool . As I have mentioned earlier that I am from am engineering background , my job is to generate as many ideas as possible . With that done , the next question is how to share these ideas with my stakeholders in an impactful way ? How can they understand what I am trying to say or how will the concept work ? The answer is to simply convey my ideas through pen and pencil . Of course you need some Da Vinci magic to make it more impactful , but a simple sketch will do a better job than many pages of engineering gibberish . Keep your stakeholders and their background in mind during a presentation or a proposal . Canva is another tool that I use to make the presentation more ‘ stakeholder friendly ' . We as Design thinkers need to convey as much information as possible in the least amount of time , in a much impactful way . After getting positive responses ( sometimes negative ) from our stakeholders , especially now they have understood the real concept , then we can move in the next phase of the design process . We can improve the communication in the team as they now have full information on the required problem and thus reduce miscommunication and wastage of time . Insight Previously , I did not emphasise strongly on the Visualization design tool , but now learning of various stories mentioned in this course modules , especially The Good Kitchen story , I have realised its necessity . Although Design thinking is not just the use of a single design tool to solve a particular task , but rather it is a way of approaching a challenge using a number of design tools . Therefore in employing other design tools along with Visualization tool , I hope to become a better Design thinker . Approach With the world now focusing more on customer experience and with the advent of new technologies , it is only logical that the Visualization tool should be used more often , be they include simple graphics or the more compelling pictorial representations . The use of Virtual reality can provide a much more holistic experience to the involved stakeholders . I would like end with a question , that is , could you imagine yourself as a child learning alphabets without any visuals ?