History of Design Thinking
Design thinking is a human-centric approach to problem solving that is used to develop new values that are unique and have a beneficial effect. Design thinking has essentially gained prominence as a method of innovation. The outcomes are astounding when design thinking is applied to business through rationalising creativity. Businesses that have successfully incorporated design thinking have witnessed strong growth rates in their bottom lines.
The origin of Design Thinking dates back to the 1960s, which was then further strengthened by industrial design during the Second World War. In the early 1960s, Buckminster Fuller focused on using science and technology to tackle challenges brought about by the fast growth of technology. In 1969, Herbert Simon added new considerations and parameters to design theory and advocated the notion that anything designed is artificial as opposed to natural. Later, this concept would significantly influence design theory and artificial intelligence.
In 1973, Horst Rittel, a design theorist and university professor, along with Melvin Webber, an urban designer and theorist, used the phrase “wicked problems,” focusing on design and the human experience, thereby construing Fuller’s conception of “design science. They created the “wicked problem” to describe the intricacy of issues that arise during planning. This lead to even more emphasis on the end user’s experience.
The main revolution in this field came in the 80s and 90s, design concepts were changing and assuming the form of human-centered design. In 1992, Richard Buchanan, a professor of design, management, and information systems released Wicked Problems in Design Thinking, which incorporated the theories of Fuller, Simon, and Rittle into a single, comprehensive framework.
The 21st century has seen the further evolution of Design thinking. In 2004, David Kelley established the Hasso Plattner Institute of Design at Stanford, referred to as D.School which is always working towards the development, teaching, and application of design thinking.
Design Thinking has brought a revolution in the way corporates work. One of the biggest popular success stories of Design Thinking is AirBNb. With more than 1,500,000 listings in 192 countries and 34,000 locations and a total of more than 40 million rooms in 2015, Airbnb has transformed from a company that made 200 euros per week to one that is disrupting the travel industry.
A design Thinking approach can help any organization to:
- Take on innovative challenges
- Increase the productivity of the organisation
- Successfully addressing client needs
- Reduce risk factors
We, at Explorra Consultancy, are experts at leveraging the Design Thinking Approach and helping organisations explore their potential to the maximum level. If you are interested in knowing more about our workshops and training, give us a call at 9909206067
