The Origin of Business Design Thinking

CLIENT: AKIN DUYAR | VIDEO: The Origin of Business Design Thinking | BERLIN, 16.04.2024

The Academic Origin of Business Design Thinking

Design Thinking has gained significant traction in the business world, yet many practitioners are unaware of its rich origins in the academic realm. Understanding these roots is essential for unlocking the full potential of this powerful methodology.

To explore this, one must turn to the academic research titled “Design Thinking: Past, Present, and Possible Futures,”* which outlines five key discourses surrounding design thinking:

  • Design thinking as the creation of artefacts (Simon, 1969).

  • Design thinking as a reflexive practice (Schön, 1983).

  • Design thinking as a problem-solving activity (Buchanan, 1992 based on Rittel and Webber, 1973)

  • Design thinking as a way of reasoning/making sense of things (Lawson, 2006 [1980]; Cross, 2006, 2011

  • Design thinking as the creation of meaning (Krippendorff, 2006).

These perspectives offer a far broader understanding of design thinking than what is typically encountered in business contexts, where it often becomes a tool for innovation and creative work.

The connection between business and academic design thinking is particularly noteworthy. Business Design Thinking is fundamentally rooted in the academic notion of design thinking as a problem-solving activity. However, as this concept was adapted for business use, critical elements of its original intent were often overlooked.

To harness the true power of design thinking, it is vital to bridge the insights from both academic and business perspectives. This approach will help practitioners move beyond mere post-it note brainstorming sessions that yield lackluster results.

In the upcoming video series, “The Origin of Design Thinking,” viewers will uncover these invaluable insights and rediscover the transformative potential of design thinking. Prepare to see this methodology in an entirely new light, enriched by a deeper understanding of its academic foundations.

*Ulla Johansson-Sköldberg, Jill Woodilla, Mehves Çetinkaya (2013) Design Thinking: Past, Present and Possible Futures

If you are interested in our Design Thinking+ workshops, here is a small selection:

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    Unlock the full potential of Design Thinking+ by overcoming cognitive biases and mastering abductive reasoning. Develop ideas that go beyond the limits of your current imagination and achieve breakthrough innovations.