Human First: 5 Killer Design Thinking Resources

08:05 Wayne Saggers 0 Comments


In the ever-evolving landscape of business and technology, the traditional approach to problem-solving is undergoing a profound transformation. Design Thinking has emerged as a potent methodology, placing people at the forefront of design and innovation. It represents a shift from a solution-centric to a human-centric mindset, recognizing that understanding the needs, aspirations, and challenges of individuals is paramount to achieving true success and delivering genuine value to customers.

To help you understand and deliver the impact of human-centric design for your organisation, here are some amazing online resources that will elevate you to a hemp-clad, mystical CX guru in no time at all.

1.  Interaction Design Foundation (IDF): Design Thinking Guide

Interaction Design Foundation Logo
If you're new to Design Thinking, and want to understand what it is, and how to start using it, this is a great place to start.  The Interaction Design Foundation is renowned for its commitment to providing quality education in design and usability. Their Design Thinking Guide is a robust web page offering a structured overview of the methodology. From understanding the core principles to exploring the various stages of the process, IDF's guide provides a solid foundation for beginners and serves as a quick reference for experienced practitioners.
Link: IDF Design Thinking Guide

 2.  Make:Iterate: Design Thinking Case Studies

Just the fact that you're here, means you probably already realise the power of taking a human-centric approach to design and innovation.  However, getting the support and investment from leaders to move to new approaches can sometimes be challenging.  This isn't surprising given the number of new and shiny supposed silver bullets everyone tries to sell us on what seems like a      weekly basis.  So how can you convince the people that matter that this is not just a fad? What can really help is real world examples of how Design Thinking has been deployed, and the impact it can bring. Make:Iterate have put together alist of 6 practical examples of Design Thinking in action, which can help you build the business case, and bring your organisation's leaders along with you.

Link: Make:Iterate DT Case Studies 

3.  Green Dot: Design Thinking Tools and Templates


So, you've learnt what Design Thinking is all about, and you've got your team and the company's decision makers on board.  Now it's time to kick off your first Design Thinking project.  Green Dot Consulting Group provide an excellent library of Design Thinking tools and templates to help you on your way.  Need to plot out your customer journey map?  Want to build needs and requirements in a 'How Might We' Exercise?  Green Dot have you covered.

Link: The Green Dot: Tools & Templates  

4.  The Argonauts: Design Thinking Playlist

A great companion to the Green Dot's Templates is The Argonauts Design        Thinking playlist on Youtube.  In this series of videos they walk you                  through examples of how to make use of many of the templates and tools          on the Green Dot site (as well as some additional ones).  If you find video easier to follow than reading through wordy websites, this is a great place to start.

Link: The Argonauts: Design Thinking Playlist

 5.  The Big Bang Partnership: Digitising The Process

Sometimes an analog approach can provide great benefits when undertaking Design Thinking sprints.  Most Design Thinking practioners will be used to rooms filled with Post-It notes and hand-drawn prototypes.  Digital tools can have their place though, particularly where you need to integrate into existing digital workflows, or where you need to collaborate amongst a distributed team.  The Big Bang Partnership have produced a very comprehensive list of some of the most effect digital tools which you can use for your Design Thinking projects.  What's nice about this list is that they also explain how they can be used to provide value in each of the Design Thinking Phases.

                                                  Link: The Big Bang Partnership: Digital DT


 Bonus Resource:  Change By Design, Tim Brown

"Change by Design" by Tim Brown is a best-selling, seminal work that explores the principles and applications of Design Thinking in driving innovation. Brown, the CEO of IDEO, a renowned design and innovation consultancy, provides a compelling framework for problem-solving and creativity. The book emphasizes the human-centric nature of Design Thinking, advocating for empathy, collaboration, and experimentation in the design process. Through engaging case studies and real-world examples, Brown illustrates how integrating Design Thinking into organizational culture can lead to transformative change and sustainable success. "Change by Design" serves as a guide for leaders, designers, and innovators seeking to harness the power of creative problem-solving to address complex challenges and foster a culture of innovation within their teams and organizations.  You can get this as a Free audiobook with a trial of Audible using this link: Change By Design

 


Wayne is an Innovation Consultant and technology leader with a wealth of experience across a range of industries and technology areas. He has a passion for human-centric design and innovation which can bring genuine value and really make a difference .

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