Design Thinking
Design Thinking is commonly defined as a human-centered approach to problem-solving. It is a systems-oriented methodology to understand an issue, generate ideas, evaluate and test them until the best solution is achieved.
To go beyond the definition of Design Thinking and make it available to all, a new platform is built for all Design driven training and exposures, called the DesignShots.
DesignShots is a knowledge-based initiative that offers divergent learning experiences such as workshops, toolkits and much more - all under the umbrella of Design Thinking.
At DesignShots, we believe in broadening perspectives, expanding possibilities and solving problems with simplicity.
In the past, the DesignShots team has customized learning solutions and built training modules for across verticals such as Healthcare, Education, Utilities, Environment, as well as various functions such as leadership, management, administration, support, and others.
We, at DesignShots, create experiential exposures to immerse you into the different facets of Design Thinking to charge up your creative batteries and give you an edge over the others.
We offer varied solutions such as workshops, interactive toolkits, exciting events and idea-generation facilitations to inculcate the spirit of Design Thinking in individuals, companies and learners from different domains.
Facilitations and trainings
ADTW
Avantika Design Thinking Workshop was a platform created for people from different industries, sectors and fields to come together and learn design thinking methodologies and principles. At ADTW, these methodologies and principles of Design Thinking were treated as individual tools that can be applied at various workplaces to create innovative products, services and experiences.
Applied design thinking in professional problem solving incorporates mental models, tools, processes, and techniques such as design, engineering, economics, humanities, and social sciences to identify, define, and address professional challenges in strategic planning, product development, innovation, corporate social responsibility, and beyond. It also helps organizations to fill critical gaps and deficiencies. Only by combining modes and methods can organizations establish more complete and competitive bodies of knowledge and insights that empower a human-centric, future-oriented approach.
This event, broke away from the conventional formats of Design workshops. By creating meaningful experiences through spaces and zones that represent various concepts of Design Thinking, we took a workshop format to a new level. These concepts can assist participants to successfully inculcate the Spirit of Design in their workplaces. These concepts can be applied to a variety of contexts and across different disciplines. These zones are designed to break preconceived notions and expose participants to a new way of thinking - 'Design Thinking'.
2. Combining context and Design
There have been some instances where it’s not about facilitating a wholistic Design Thinking workshop. Design Thinking can be molded in many contexts and is best understood that way.
One example of this is Design Thinking for Healthcare.
Healthcare should aim to improve the experience of patients. It is a mandate to empathize with patients, think creatively, prototype, and continually test solutions to get rid of existing problems.
LV Prasad Eye Institute (LVPEI) is a comprehensive health facility with its main campus located in Hyderabad, India.
LVPEI organizes yearly hackathons to innovate in the eye care space. However, these hackathons are mostly focused on ideation and manufacturing.
3. Facilitating Ideation Sessions
At times, some problems do not require a Design Thinking hackathon. All a company needs help with is to solve a real-world problem. But with the immense gambit of knowledge they possess, it doesn’t make sense for someone else to act as an expert in their field. The role of a design consultant is to only facilitate them through the problem-solving process. The right guiding techniques and trigger points can empower domain experts with the tools to solve their own problems using existing resources.
One such session was conducted for a waste management company. Their expertise is in Solid Waste, Organic Waste, Municipal Waste, and Bio-degradable Waste.
With the growing competitors and increased awareness of waste management technology, the company realized the need to upgrade their strategies.
They didn’t need any extra knowledge in their domain. All they needed was to rethink the user cycle, re-think the same product in different contexts, re-think their product as a service and change the communication strategy.
A mini exposure to Design was a great starting point for the company, in changing their outlook towards their users. The outputs of the session are now getting implemented and the company is moving forward faster in a new and exciting direction.
4. Student Workshops to spread Design Thinking
Students are the right target audience to get exposed to Design methods. They are open to adapting to new ways of thinking that can lead to a positive & long lasting shift in their mindset.
A lot of sessions, workshops & events are conducted for students where different facets like Design Thinking, Design Doing, Thinking by making, Design Being, Strategic Design are introduced, by exposing them to design through various activities.
Our Philosophy
We break away from the conventional ways of teaching and encourage active learning processes by developing hands-on challenges.
We always encourage teamwork, to bring the best out of a diversely talented group.
Our workshops revolve around co-creation to generate well-rounded solutions.
We guide students to think from both, the micro and macro perspective. We actively emphasise on digging deeper to create feasible and sustainable solutions for the greater good.
5. MOOCs
Design Thinking does not have a fixed medium of teaching. It is best transmitted through hands-on learning but there can be online methods of learning Design Thinking as well.
Turian labs wanted to develop a Design Thinking curriculum for an IT company to introduce their employees to Design Thinking.
This curriculum described a brief on the different process elements of Design Thinking, some case studies that explain DT in practice. There were also some activities and practice sessions that were introduced to the participants through this course.
A lot of human-centered methods were adopted to design the curriculum and break away from other MOOCs in this domain. This made the course engaging and enjoyable for the users.
