Design thinking, also known as user-centered design, is a five-step problem-solving process (empathize, define, ideate, prototype, test/refine) that helps people create better products, services, and policies. Design thinking centers the user and requires that the ones designing the solution deeply understand and define both the problem and the people who experience the problem.
Ms. Stacy Prime, Northwood’s Chief Innovation Officer, teaches the Design Thinking course at Northwood School. “In this out-of-the-box introductory course, students become real-world problem solvers and learn the five stages of the design thinking process: to empathize, define, ideate, prototype, & test/refine,” Prime said. “Faced with design thinking challenges, students leverage industry standard tools and processes to create innovative solutions to problems of their choosing. Part design studio, part think tank and makerspace, this hands-on and minds-on course takes place at the Innovation Hub and requires students to grow as critical and creative thinkers, communicators, and collaborators,” she added.
Ms. Stacy Prime, Chief Innovation Officer (Photo: Michael Aldridge)
Prime added an insight into why Design Thinking is included in the Northwood curriculum. “We want Northwood students to have the best education possible and be ready to be leaders in any field they pursue. Introduction to design thinking, along with entrepreneurship, 3D modeling, and robotics, represents new fields of learning that are growing in relevance,” Prime said. Design thinking can help students become leaders that the world is so much in need of: better problem solvers who can listen and collaborate with other people to develop great solutions to the world’s most vital and important problems.
Design thinking can also be applied to students’ learning experiences in general. “Most importantly, we want students to design a personalized path to success that centers their happiness and well-being. Students can apply the principles they learn in design thinking to their own lives, unlocking new opportunities and solving meaningful problems,” Prime noted.
Design thinking skills are applicable to students’ future careers. “The skills learned in design thinking are useful in any career field,” Prime said. “By taking a design thinking class, students learn how to solve problems for and with a specific group of people. Students also learn how to think more creatively and critically, which are two of the most valuable skills that employers look for in the workforce, according to the World Economic Forum,” added Prime.
Design Thinking is a great class to gain insight into how the process can benefit us. Many people worldwide use Design Thinking to solve problems and improve products and experiences. Design Thinking is a great way for students to find a passion and use creative skills to solve problems.
