Design Thinking: Beyond the Sticky Notes

Design thinking may forever remain as Ideo’s original creative solution to innovation but today it has been popularly adopted by Apple, Google, Samsung and the GEs of the world as a go to mantra for business growth. While Ideo and other Silicon Valley experts have always been emulated for their unique thinking, the dynamic variables of Indian industry such as its competitive economy, evolving demographics, tastes and preferences prove that prescribed design thinking models do not always provide absolute solutions.  Design Thinking: Beyond the Sticky Note showcases that design is much more than developing aesthetically appealing products. It discusses various philosophies of design in today’s context such as design for debate, design for growth, design for social impact, human-centered design and mindful design. The book captures the views of design practitioners working in organizations like BYJU’S, Microsoft, Zoom, Rovio Entertainment, Google and Palantir Technologies. Design thinking is not limited to a position, profession or specialization. It is for everyone! The book incorporates evolved tools of design thinking which allows the creation and validation of design solutions focusing on user needs. In addition, this book highlights the shift in design from industrial product design to systems thinking through examples of technology and data driven aspects of design. It will be an insightful and useful read for design practitioners and thinkers in India as well as for industry professionals who would like to learn, use and apply the design thinking approach in daily and professional lives.

Table of Contents:
Preface Acknowledgements ‘Make, Bake and Eat’ Epiphany Design Thinking over a Footprint: Designing and Thinking 101 Problem-solving: Your Imaginary Best Friend, Hence Proven Mona Lisa Complex Two Friendly Neighbours: Design Thinking and Business Thinking Portrait of a User: The User Story Empathy in Design: It’s Cool to Lose the Reigns Spring Cleaning: Rethink Your Design Toolbox Mindful Design Practices Design for Impact What Lies Ahead: The Future of Design Thinking Bibliography

About the Author :
Devyani M. Lal is a user and design research consultant based in San Francisco. With an M. A. degree in design from National Institute of Design, she has worked on global user experience studies, consumer studies and usability studies using her own frameworks for many organizations such as GE Healthcare, Mercedes-Benz and Panasonic. Her research and publication interests include areas of design, research and technology as a means of understanding their social, psychological and political implications and the relationship of design to the public. This work includes studies of the impact of new technologies and design concerning unique user behaviour. Most recently, she has examined the user experience of the health workers performing diagnostic tests during PET-CT scan for cancer patients. From 2017 to 2019, she served as a lead designer and interim head of design research at Tata Elxsi, where she was the lead designer, researcher and manager of the team. She was awarded Bravo Award in 2018 and 2019 for customer appreciation, project leadership and designing and conducting design workshops for Tata Elxsi employees. Formerly, she has worked as a principal advisor to entrepreneurs and start-ups (2013–2016). She is currently an advisor at Think HR India on designing and developing strategic toolkits for HR training and workshops based on design-thinking values and ethics. She has been a notable speaker on consumer behaviour, mindful design and design research practices in numerous design conferences and management institutes. At leisure, she likes to visit her favourite museums with travelling exhibits and attend design talks. Recently, due to the pandemic, she was seen indulging in strategybased board games and graphic novels.  

Review :
‘It is an exciting book to read, digest and apply. Much needed comparison and demystifying the assumption that only designers can use System’s Thinking. I am so very glad that the author has used drawings to express meanings that anyone can draw, the same way that one can understand and apply design thinking to any problem-solving activity.’ ‘It is a very interesting and fun read. Devyani has beautifully knitted the concept, principles, examples, illustrations and way forward for design thinking as a mainstream phenomenon for diverse fields and not just restrictive to designers. The storytelling approach is very engrossing and unassuming, and use of illustrations is interesting and a great addition to the book. It is a must-read for all modern workplace managers.’ ‘It is a refreshing take on the practical aspects of design thinking and is one of the few reads that acknowledge the imminent ubiquity of AI all around us and explore the role inclusive design can play in tackling the AI bias head-on. It is a must-read for a modern product manager and designers alike.’ ‘This book reads like a series of personal essays, written by a designer who has spanned multiple cultures, written to other designers who are trying to make sense, and perhaps explore in some more detail, of the changes underway in the realm of design. It raises thorny issues like the relationship of DT to AI and the dark side of empathy with a bit of “how to” (like the mindful design cards) occasionally sprinkled about, made more interesting and personal by the addition of a visual dimension.’ ‘It is a much-needed look into the evolution of design thinking rooted with applicable frameworks and reflections from various design practitioners. It is a must-read for all professionals.’