Creative innovation: Design Thinking

Last week Saturday I attended a workshop aimed at teaching prospective entrepreneurs and change-makers the design thinking methodology. This particular workshop was hosted as a mock-workshop by Motswaledi and West, a design thinking consultancy located in Newlands, Cape Town, at which I am currently interning.

In a nutshell, design thinking is marketing process which emphasises designing solutions targeted directly at the customer’s experience. Rather than going to market after designing a product; engaging with and understanding the unique needs of the market is the first and integral step of the process. In facilitating the teaching of design thinking, we were split into two groups of five and were given a problem to solve within three hours. The task was to create a solution which will improve the overall eating experience of customers at a restaurant in Newlands. The overall process was divided as follows:

Throughout the challenge, what stood out to me is the fluidity of design thinking, The initial definition of our challenge evolved into a problem statement which addressed an issue different from our initially identified problem. What initially was a customer-centric issue evolved into a problem evaluating the affordability of eating at work for the workers of the restaurant and surrounding areas. Hence, a key advantage of the design thinking process, particularly in relation to the socio-economic environment of South Africa, is that solutions resulting from design thinking tend to highlight socio-economic shortcomings in the potential customers’ environments. Design thinking thus is a further opportunity for entrepreneurs to use creative innovation to design products and or services which will aid in promotion of social welfare, whether or not they are social entrepreneurs.

Personally, I gained a substantial amount from attending this workshop. As a person more inclined towards introversion the practical aspects of market research have always seemed like a massive challenge. The workshop plunged us into a space where, challenge or not, we had to step out of our comfort zones and interview strangers in addition to engaging with each another as near-strangers in the group setting. Apart from the actual learning about design thinking, we were also provided with a great space for informal networking, which was quite an enjoyable experience. In order for design thinking to work, one has to think without limits, and encompass a mental flexibility which will enable fluid problem-solving. These are some of the mind-sets I gained from the workshop with regards to entrepreneurial creative innovation.

Below are two photos capturing the workshop:

Design thinking is not only a method which can be used by entrepreneurs. For any solution which requires innovative problem-solving, design thinking can be the go-to tool. I challenge you to read more on this topic, expand your mental horizon and become a higher quality thinker firstly for your personal good and secondly for the good of our problem riddled society.

Wishing you a peaceful Sunday.

Love and light

Tshepang

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