The Design Thinking Process
A human-centred approach to solving problems creatively
1. Empathise
Understand the user's needs, thoughts, and feelings. Who are you designing for?
2. Define
Clearly state the problem you are trying to solve based on your user's needs.
3. Ideate
Brainstorm a wide range of creative solutions and ideas. Think outside the box!
4. Prototype
Build a simple, low-cost version of your solution to see how it works.
5. Test
Get feedback from users on your prototype. What works? What doesn't?
Design Thinking is a cycle! You often go back to earlier steps based on what you learn.
Design Challenge: The Perfect School Bag
Apply the Design Thinking process to design a better school bag for students.
1. Empathise: What are the problems with current school bags?
(Interview a friend or think about your own experience)
2. Define: What is the main problem you want to solve?
3. Ideate: Brainstorm 3-5 features for your new bag design.
4. Prototype: Draw a quick sketch of your new school bag design.
5. Test: How would you get feedback on your design?
📚 NZ Curriculum Alignment
Digital Technologies
Achievement Objective: DT4-1
Understand how technological systems are created to meet needs
Key Competencies
- • Thinking creatively and critically
- • Managing self through design process