Design Thinking Action Lab

Take It Home
Reflections on the Design Thinking Course.

David Christer - Centurion, South Africa

Takeaways
Loosen up.

Design Thinking Action Lab

Design must not be a rigid linear process, design should be a wandering experience of discovery. It must be a no bars liberating process where no ideas, however ridiculous they may first appear, should be considered, tried and tested.

Togetherness
Empathize with the stakeholder and the situation to truly understand all issues to design something which is appropriate and sustainable. Involve others in collaboration to widen the scope of skills and experience. Design for the common good. Together we can achieve so much more.

Use failure to succeed

By turning our back on failure we deny ourselves a rich learning experience. Failure must be seen as a temporary setback that leads to success, Conventional education has caused lifelong limitations that fear the unknown and keep us on the safe and narrow path. Creativity requires a new path of discovery.

Process Map

Design Thinking Action Lab

A Reflection
The Future.

Design Thinking Action Lab

There are always challenges, projects,and issues that can benefit from a design intervention, I shall certainly utilse the techniques learnt on the Design Thinking course to address various pressing concerns. 3 projects immediately spring to mind 1. 2. 3. The establishment of an uniquely African Tennis Academy The promotion of Appropriate Technology The Promotion of Traditional African Arts and Crafts

Whether it is the promotion of tennis, technology or the crafts they all require an injection of new ideas to break free from the status quo. There is always a temptation to fast-track the design process and the shortest route between 2 points is a straight line which as we now know is not the correct approach. I look forward to taking a more convoluted path that unearths many surprises and novel solutions along the way.. ..

A Reflection
The Future. of Tennis

Design Thinking Action Lab

The challenge is to grow tennis in South Africa by developing local talent and attracting players from overseas. This can best be done by establishing a dedicated facility that can offer world class coaching and host International tournaments. Currently there is a skills drain of local talent overseas - mainly to the USA and Europe where they have a brighter future. In order to compete successfully with Tennis Academies around the world it is planned to establish a uniquely African destination that will attract local and international players. Tennis coaching and tournaments will offer options of going on game drives and visiting other tourist attractions. A location will be chosen that will offer ideal conditions throughout the year. It will be necessary to consult with many stakeholders to determine the way ahead, These will include tennis officials, coaches, players, parents, spectators, the leisure industry and tour operators. The success of this project will rely on a very collaborative process.

A Reflection
The Future. of Appropriate Technology

Design Thinking Action Lab

The challenge is to provide technologies that are accessible, affordable and appropriate to African conditions. The technologies need to be robust and easy to maintain. It will be necessary to establish a dedicated centre that will be tasked with promoting the implementation of appropriate technologies. It will be a facility that operates as : A resource centre A demonstration centre An exhibition centre A training centre and A research centre. It will require the support of a wide range of stakeholders including: government officials, scientists, teachers, farmers, students and members of the public. It will promote self sufficiency and a judicious use of our limited resources.This could also generate many employment opportunities. To ensure the buy-in of the various stakeholders it will be important to provide practical working examples. Prototyping and testing will be used to establish the centre and also to develop the various appropriate technologies, so it is likely to be an ongoing process of development. .

A Reflection
The Future. of Arts and Crafts

Design Thinking Action Lab

The challenge is that the old tradition of passing craft skills down to younger generations is dying out as the youth pursue more urban and contemporary pursuits. This is resulting in the extinction of craft skills and therefore the cultural heritage is being jeopardised. The key element to solving this problems is to access the relevant expertise and to offer training in the arts and crafts. Another key element will be to find viable markets for the products that are produced. This can be achieved by ensuring a high standard of production and producing items that will appeal to local and international buyers. Each product will have to be prototyped to determine its appeal and value. It will be essential to add value to a traditional craft piece by elevating it to a design item. The opportunities of using discarded waste materials to produce craft items will also be investigated. There will be plenty of opportunities to Ideate the myriad of products that can be manufactured by local crafters. The ability to implement design thinking could be extremely beneficial to the crafters.

Conclusion

Design Thinking Action Lab

This may be the end of the Design Thinking course but it is also the beginning of a new approach to solving an endless supply of problems and challenges.

The proof will be in the cooking and it could be advantageous to invite students to report back in about 6 months time to share their achievements in implementing the design thinking process. I would be very interested to receive some feedback on the course, for example statistics indicating where the students come from, number of students starting the course and the number completing the course. I would also value the opportunity of linking to a network of design thinking students.
Thank you Leticia and your team for making this inspiring course available.