This is a complex post in that it contains many links and embeds. I have done my best to keep the integrity of the original post.
Overview of Post: This post looks at how the Design Thinking process impacted a group working in the area of Journalism / Print Media.
Thoughts on this Post: I like having the opportunity for insight into the process and challenges of putting Design Thinking into action in real world situations.
Original Post on PBS.com IdeaLab
by Chris O’Brian March 26, 2009
I had the great privilege to be invited to sit on a panel earlier this month at the Institute of Design at Stanford to provide feedback on an effort called, “Redesigning Journalism.” I’ve been wanting to visit the “D School” for some time now. So I jumped at the chance to participate.
In this case, design refers to the fundamental way a product is conceived and built. The D School teaches something called “design thinking”. It’s a powerful method and I’ll be writing more in the near future about using it to find new ideas for journalism.
In brief, a design driven approach to creating something new favors a qualitative approach over a data-driven approach. Rather than amassing mounds of data from customer and marketing research, you go out and observe people to understand their lives and needs and how products could fit into them. Folks who embrace design thinking commonly refer to this as building empathy with the customers.