Reflective Blogs on Weekly Learning - Design Thinking Week 1-11

Read the reflective blogs on weekly learning of Design Thinking from Week 1 to Week 11. Gain insights on creativity, problem-solving, and critical thinking.

Running head: WEEKLY LEARNING BLOGS 1
Reflective Blogs on Weekly Learning
Student’s Name
Institution Affiliation

WEEKLY LEARNING BLOGS 2
Reflective Blogs on Weekly Learning
Design Thinking Week 1, 2, & 3
The workshop discussions I attended the first three weeks of my study made me learn
a very crucial point in my life; that creativity is one of the main pillars of success in
everything we do. Subjecting anything we do to some questions and applying Cartesian doubt
in all that we do make us critical thinkers who in turn make us creative. Creative and pictorial
thinking of the words in our brains bring us closer to achieving realistic goals as it breaks the
barrio and makes real life outcome achievable.
I can honestly confess that before the workshops and the class, I did not have an idea
on how to convert my thoughts into action. I interacted with other members of the class who
gave me a clear impression from their point of view. From this interaction, a new reality
dawned on me, action offers results but thinking then acting gives better results; and this is
what innovation is all about. Finally, it became clear to me that design processes should be
constructed with a creative mindset, broken down to Empathize, Define, prototype, and Test.
Week 4
In this week we had interactive and discussion sessions on the process of finding a
solution to problems that surround us. We realized that one of the main aspects of the answer
to the issues is timing. In our case, we were more into business context concerning the
various stages of the product lifecycles. We discussed the five steps in the design process
namely empathize, Define, Ideate, Prototype, and Test, focusing mostly on the first two.
We were provided with pictures, focusing on various situations on a beach, to look
and come up with the first two steps in the process, Empathize and Define. Our group was
able to identify several problems associated with the images; we brainstormed and came up

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with various possible solutions to the issues. From week 4 activities, I learned that to come up
with the best solutions to problems; one needs to be open minded, be ready to listen to the
views and possible solutions other people have. Broad thinking leads to the best possible
solutions to our daily challenges.
Week 5
This week we focused on collection and gathering data useful in finding a solution to
problems. I learned that to solve a problem effectively, we need to collect loads of data given
the fact that some data are always incomplete, contradictory, and dynamic. Effective solution
of the issues involve trying many possible ways of solving the problem, and this taught me
forever to try to get all that my brain can always provide.
To test the possibilities of our thinking capacity, we were provided with papers with
several circles on and asked to deliver what we had in mind regarding what we saw. The team
had many pieces of ideas. From this, I learned that we should always have a broader view of
every problem and try coming up with different ways of approaching the problem.
Week 6
This week was focused on the analysis of business starting from before and after
starting the actual transaction; the primary and secondary business activities. The principal
activities involve research and development, production, sales and marketing, and customer
care services. The secondary business activities are directly related to the product itself but
aid the whole process. The activities include building infrastructure, management which
include technology and human resource management.
From this week's session, I learned that business is a chain of activities, both primary
and secondary, that includes production, marketing, distribution, and management activities.

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The session made me learn that before we get involved in any event, we should understand
the whole process before starting. We need to think outside the box even beyond our
capabilities; this may lead to extraordinary results.
Week7
This week was concentrated on the ability to view and solve a problem from the angle
of the people involved in the issue and or those who will be included in the future. We
watched a video about rain and saw the effects the storm had on the residents and the
environment
The members of the class came up with different views on the problem and the
possible solutions to the situation. Each suggested solution was unique in a way, and after
several compilations of the possible solutions, we realized that coming together and
welcoming many ideas leads to possibly the best solution. From the video and the whole
week's session, I learned that one will always see the reality when he or she views the
problem from the same angle as the person in the question.
Week 9
In this week's session, we were to discuss the ways of coming up with the best
solution to a problem that we already knew, the factors needed for our assessment 2. During
the discussion, we revisited the ideas that we had discussed in earlier weeks to come up with
the best possible solution to the presented problem. We went ahead to review all the
processes that we had learned and did away with the irrelevant issues and concepts that we
might have gained.
The discussion helped me realize that there are better ways of narrowing down the
broad way of thinking about the whole idea. We learned that feeling out of the box and this

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would make the entire process more straightforward. Gathering relevant data and accepting
the views of other members make us think critically now that we have more information.
Week 11
The week was the final week of the discussions and attended a presentation done by
one of the neighboring groups given that we were to do our presentation the same day. From
the visit, we learned the main areas of focus during the performance and prompted the
necessary adjustments on our presentation preparation. It was clear that the presentation was
mainly concentrated on the problem statement and the usage of the design thinking tool in
evaluating and solving the problem. We, as a discussion group, noted the mistakes that we
had made in our side and made the necessary adjustments.
From the week's activities, I learned that there is always need to find a benchmark in
whatever we do however perfect we may think we are. Comparing yourself with people or
groups doing the same activity helps in identification and possible correction of the areas you
might have gone wrong.
The discussions we had in the whole term helped me change me to learn a lot about
the provision of solutions to various problems we face. This will be a lifetime source of the
answer to my questions.