{"id":20366,"date":"2023-03-08T15:12:45","date_gmt":"2023-03-08T20:12:45","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.ceros.com\/inspire\/?p=20366"},"modified":"2023-03-08T16:41:59","modified_gmt":"2023-03-08T21:41:59","slug":"design-thinking","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.ceros.com\/inspire\/originals\/design-thinking\/","title":{"rendered":"Think Like a Designer: Why the Language of Design Is Everywhere Today"},"content":{"rendered":"Reading Time: <\/span> 4<\/span> minutes<\/span><\/span>\n

In 2018, Airbnb reported $1 billion in revenue in their third quarter\u2014a stark contrast from the $200 in weekly revenue they were earning in 2009. How did the once failing startup become a billion-dollar business? Design thinking. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Over time, that term has inched its way into boardrooms, open-concept offices, and coworking spaces around the globe. But other than appropriating a designer\u2019s skillset as the new gospel of business and management techniques, what does the term really <\/em>mean? Let\u2019s take a look at why this is, and what you can glean from the principles of design thinking.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What is design thinking?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

While you might see design thinking described as a methodology, an idea, a strategy, or an outlook, it boils down to a way of solving problems with creativity<\/a>. Perhaps the most important aspect of design thinking, however, is that it puts human needs at the center of the practice. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cDesign thinking is a human-centered approach to innovation that draws from the designer\u2019s toolkit to integrate the needs of people, the possibilities of technology, and the requirements for business success,\u201d says Tim Brown, executive chair of the design firm IDEO.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In other words, design thinking encompasses finding solutions that are:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

  • Desirable: <\/strong>Does the user actually want and need this? <\/li>
  • Viable<\/strong>: Does this make business sense?<\/li>
  • Feasible: <\/strong>Is the technology needed for this solution available? <\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n

    As an iterative and collaborative process, it can serve the development of products<\/strong> like Dyson vacuums<\/a>, services<\/strong> like Airbnb, processes <\/strong>like McDonald\u2019s<\/a> revolutionary food prep, and\/or strategy<\/strong>, like at Netflix<\/a>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

    This means that the thinking that underpins your craft as a designer can be applied to pretty much\u2026anything. Who knew? (Yeah, you did.<\/em>)<\/p>\n\n\n\n