Reflective Report on Design Thinking Workshop Module

This reflective report focuses on the learning acquired from all the weeks from 1 to 12 during the design thinking workshop module. It contains a detailed experience throughout the module aiming to develop future attitude and personal development from those learning.

Running Head: REFLECTION 0
Design it
Reflective Report
(student details:)
10/3/2018

Reflection 1
Reflective Report
This Reflective report will focus on learning acquired from all the weeks from 1to 12
during design thinking (referred as DT) workshop module. My reflection will contain my
detailed experience throughout the module aiming to development of my future attitude and
personal development from those learning. It was a design thinking six-week exercise, in
which I went through six weeks of workshop activities for designing a product and its testing
as well as launch.
In the beginning of the module-1, during my first class it was all new for me and I was a
little afraid about learning new concepts and tools during the whole workshop. First module
was dedicated to what should be designed. Firstly, teaching team introduced us to our tutors
and told an important thing that tutor will be the primary contact person for any query or
problem of us ( Dubey, 2018). Overview was given in the beginning and it contained details
about teaching team, assessment outline, and reading material available on Moodle. This first
workshop during week-I was all dedicated to make us familiar about key steps in the process
of designing. During my first class of week-I workshop, I got a basic idea about design it
process in the management field. Whole module was divided into three main steps, as
follows:
 Poster making through thinking evaluation of design mind set covering innovation
 Presentation and report making by using DT tools, mid-set and DT techniques with
mentioning of DT process utilized in my own research.
 After making DT research presentation and report, self-assessment step was to be
done with following activities:
o Weekly reflective blogs writing
o Reflective report
o Self and peer questionnaire (de Andrés Martínez, 2012)
Our tutor told us DT relationship with innovation as well as entrepreneurship
concepts. I got to know that these three are related to each other and having very strong bond
as DT is used in decision making while doing business. Its tools and processes bring

Reflection 2
innovation among business processes (Drucker, 2014). I interpreted that DT is a complex
problem solving tool by incubating innovation into the solutions. Moreover, entrepreneurship
is a process through which entrepreneurs pursue available opportunities regardless to the
availability of the resources. Then we all were given our first activity of DT process, which
was about deep thinking in the context of whatever was told and taught to us till that time
when the activity started. I got to know that when people implement new ideas, exploit them
and integrate them with the existing services of the businesses then it is called innovation in
business. At the end of the first week, tutor suggested us to start writing reflective weekly
blogs on regular experiences from all weeks of the workshop, as submission of all reflective
blogs will be needed in the end of the module ( Claes, 2017).
During week-2, there was a second module named Design process (refereed as DP)
workshop. From DP workshop, I learnt many things like difference between business and
design, DT tools, DT processes, mind-set of DT, innovation stories and briefing of
assessment-1. In the beginning of the module-2, tutor asked about last module homework as
blogging, reflection writing on other’s blogs, and feedback taking on our own blogs.
Significance of DT got clear in that workshop, as I got to know that DT is all about creative
approach to reach to the solution of the complex problems (Dorst, 2011). Later then, we all
got divided into groups so that activities can be carried out effectively, there were 3-4
members in each of the group.
Moreover, design and business are different in the context of their goal orientation.
When we use the word business, then it means revenue generated and sustainability within
the market. Conversely, design in business will add human being’s views, feedbacks, needs
and implementation of new ideas to achieve satisfactory feedbacks from customers with
covering business aims. Additionally, DP contains 10 elements or tools to be effectively
implemented and they were:
 Visualization
 Journey mapping
 Value chain analysis
 Mind mapping
 Brainstorming
 Concept development
 Assumption testing

Reflection 3
 Rapid Prototyping
 Customer Co-creation
 Learning launch (Kimbell, 2011)
Later then, I read some great innovation stories on Moodle and attempted questions
given attached to them. I realised that designers mind set and core values include user-centred
attitude, peripheral vision, open-mindedness toward learning and clear communication amid
DT and project management to be implemented. I learnt DT in week-2, by reflecting on my
own actions, values and past behaviours. I learnt that if I will push myself out of the comfort
zone of the business-minded attitude, then only I can learn and implement DT processes. In
the second half of the workshop-2, we learnt about the Poster making through so many
creative posters which were available on Moodle.
During week-3, design theory was discussed with revisiting module-1 for weekly
blogging and reflection writing activity. According to the learning acquired from week-3,
theories as well as models of DT include Logic of reasoning, convergent and divergent
thinking, philosophical view, triple loop learning, creative learning, action research, and most
importantly Co-creation with the customers. Additionally, frame of all these above theories
were also discussed during this week along with some more relevant theories such as left-
brain—right brain, ideation, creativity theories, team working theories, decision making
method, and reflection on actions theory. After knowing all those theories from week-3, I
must say that managers can become the designers by having Empathy for the customers and
execution of Invention as well as iteration. At the end of the week-3, tutor gave a brief about
assessment-3 which was including multi-media blogs, reflective report writing, and self-
assessment and peer review exercise. Moreover, simple and nice way to reflect on events as
well as blogs was introduced in that class. Reflective thinking had three parts include
thinking back, analysis of events, thinking about learning as well as future development
through that learning (Liedtka, Ogilvie, & Brozenske, 2014). Our tutor showed us an example
of template for reflective blogs. I learnt the difference between Blogs and Reflective reports.
Later then, I started reflecting on my all three weeks past workshops to write my blogs.
Week-4 workshop module was based on design problems, with the outline include
connection amid problem solving and finding, visualization DT tool and Persona as a DT
tool. Through revisiting module-2, DT principles were drawn like wicked problem solving,
human centric viewpoint, observation, prototyping, visualization, active learning through

Reflection 4
experimentation and mind-set of a beginner (Kuratko, 2005). In this week, I learnt that DT is
not only about solving issues in business but it is an effective tool to identify real problems
and their solution through innovation. An activity named ‘Spotting the Obvious’ was
conducted by the tutor for bran storming of all of us. This activity topic was “A day at the
beach”. Additionally, feedbacks and reflection on that activity was taken by all the groups.
Thus, my interpretation after week-4 about the DT was that when we need to identify a DT
problem then each and everything can be taken as a design problem and I should try to
observe the obvious and then find the solution to it. I got a link provided by the tutor to find a
DT problem for our team’s assessment-2. That link was carrying some examples of the
student’s observations on DT problems (Kirzner, 2015). Inside the activity ‘Visualising the
future’, our topic was “what will Master programs look like in the year 2050”. Later then, I
learnt persona DT tool, from activity of visualise any persona. In the end, teacher told all
groups to use our specific assessment-2 problem for understanding persona. Hence, as usual
tutor instructed to reflect upon our learning and keep blogging on previously acquired
learning (Dunne & Martin, 2006).
Week-5 workshop was a Design problem second workshop. Two tools of DT process
include empathy mapping and journey mapping were discussed during week-5 aiming to
promote innovation in the designing solution process. I got to know that journey mapping is
all about mapping of the whole journey stepwise to reach the correct solution (Drucker,
2014). For an example, if I want to go on a long good vacation to refresh my mind and soul,
then there will be a journey mapping done by me. Journey mapping of my vacation will
contain selection of pleasant weather site, tickets reservation, hotel booking and adventures
ticket reservation. Without all above steps of journey mapping I cannot make my vacation
successful. Moreover, empathy mapping seemed so much interesting to me as it contained
way to live life with our family and friends. Thus, empathy mapping actually include
knowledge about feelings, thinking, and opinions of people around us. Week-5 was a new
learning week and gave lifestyle improvement knowledge (Ortlipp, 2008).
During week-6, main area of focus was value chain analysis, in order to relate value
and cost of any product. I learnt that cost and pricing of products and services is decided on
the basis of value it gave to the customers (Martin, 2009). If customers will not find any good
value in the product then that product cannot survive at any cost in the marketplace. For an
example CCD’ (referred as Café coffee day) coffee, is costly than other local area cafeterias
because of the value it provides to its customers when they look for a mind refreshing coffee

Reflection 5
in the market. One more thing I learnt from value chain analysis was that any product can
only survive in the marketplace when its cost is affordable to most of its targeted public of
consumers (Lundvall, 2010). So there must be a harmony and strong bonding amid value and
cost of the products for the success and survival of it (Scarborough, 2016).
During Week-7, design research workshop-2 was conducted comprises of
introduction to research. Research can be done with the help of correct research approaches,
types of data, types of sources and search ethics (Nelson, 2013). I learnt that to design an
ethical research project, interviewing and keen observing is necessary. Concept development
can be achieved through data analysis and deep thinking. I also learnt the importance of
Assumption testing and Co-creation (Becker, Kugeler, & Rosemann, 2013). The research
must be ethical one as if we all group members of my team are making research report then
we should attach genuine and relevant information called references ( Rosenø, 2018). I we
will copy stuff then we can be accused of plagiarism for copying someone’s document
without mentioning their names. My impression on this week was that ethics are very much
important for getting successful in our daily life as well as professional life (Hobcraft, 2017).
During week-8, I learnt Rapid prototyping comprises of prototyping techniques as
well as early and later prototypes. It is a way to showcase the products or services in earlier
stages of real launch to get feedbacks and views from the consumers in order to amend
changes according to the customer’s choice before real launch ( Reynolds, 2018).
Secondarily, prototypes also help company to test their products and build healthy
relationship with customers. I learnt that paper prototyping is an example of early prototyping
( Naiman, 2017). Moreover, 3-D printing can be considered as an example of later
prototyping. My team was assigned a topic to build prototype for the ways by which crimes
can be controlled in Melbourne. In this way, building of prototypes will require enhanced
skills to attract consumers; still it is a very much effective tool to grow business in the market
( Dubey, 2018).
During week-9, I learnt Learning launch tool, useful prior to real launch. I felt that it
is the perfect way to connect with the most of the targeted audience. According to its name,
it was all about learning launching of the products by the firm. Organizations launch their
product by introducing them into the marketplace for trial purpose. I learnt that how a
business differs from learning launch (Dorst, 2011). While executing learning launch, firm
does not need to be fearful for the sale of their product as they are able to makes changes

Reflection 6
accordingly with response and reviews from customers. In an activity, we observed and learnt
last week's prototyping activity (Brown & Wyatt, 2010). My team compared two teams’
prototyping work of last workshop. We were supposed to provide feedbacks in the form of
new innovative ideas, queries, and comments on what they did in early and later prototyping.
Thus from ninth week workshop, I learnt that before a real launch there are many potential
launch exist, also timings and preparation, planning and participation of invitees all are very
important in the launch. We all were instructed to prepare presentation and research report till
date to present in next workshop (Shamah, 2013).
During Week-10 and week-11, it was a presentation week covering the assessment-2
in which my team was going to deliver first presentation. A little problem was that we were at
number one, so we could not watch and observe other students presenting their ideas. All
groups performed really well still I strongly felt that some students were really requiring
improvement in their communication skills ( Fanguy, 2018). When I observed all then I
inferred that if research part is done deeply and rehearsing of presentation along with the
whole team is smooth then nobody can fail in assessment-2 activity. My team executed all
planned presentation very well while I identified that I was having an issue of stage fear
during presentation (Asheim, 2007). Overall, all went well and we received appreciable
comments from our tutor.
During week-11, remaining groups presented their design ideas and prototypes. We
all assessed our own presentation skills and material as well as research work during week-
11. At the end of the week-11, we students instructed to write another reflective blog
covering presentation experience and learning from it. Moreover, tutor said that we will have
to submit reflective report and distance students will have to discuss their presentation with
their unit coordinator (de Andrés Martínez, 2012).
During the last week-12, the module was about designing the designer implied
designing of you. Workshop covered many important factors include wider applicability of
DT, growth aiming design, constant designing, re-designing of an industry, designing
strategy and growth and summary of the design it module. I leant design as aesthetics, and
how to apply aesthetics while DT. I concluded DT unit for myself so that I can summarize the
things which I have learnt during whole 12 weeks ( Claes, 2017).
Finally, conclusion of my reflective report is that through reflection on our own
actions and experiences we can reach high mountains of success. DT is an approach to

Reflection 7
promote and support innovative and entrepreneurial thinking style. DT unit has a wide
application in the real world and daily life also beyond the business unit and its processes. In
order to implement my this knowledge in key events and activities during next six months, I
will conduct a business survey of Toyota car company, in which I will collect all information
regarding design it unit tools and processes through applying the methods and will practically
observe and go through real potential launch as well as real launch of any product launched
by Toyota company. Moreover, I will prepare a complete report on that practical task done by
me over the Toyota car launch.

Reflection 8
References
Claes, G. (2017, October 3). When, which … Design Thinking, Lean, Design Sprint, Agile?
Retrieved from medium.com: https://medium.com/@geertwlclaes/when-which-
design-thinking-lean-design-sprint-agile-a4614fa778b9
Dubey, A. (2018, February 18). 10 Amazing Leadership Lessons From Design Thinking.
Retrieved from addicted2success.com:
https://addicted2success.com/success-advice/10-amazing-leadership-lessons-from-
design-thinking/
Fanguy, W. (2018, jun 1). Why the world needs more design thinking. Retrieved from
www.invisionapp.com: https://www.invisionapp.com/inside-design/world-needs-
more-design-thinking
Naiman, L. (2017, April 21). Why Your HR Department Should Embrace Design Thinking.
Retrieved from www.inc.com: https://www.inc.com/linda-naiman/6-ways-hr-applies-
design-thinking-to-deliver-engaging-employee-experiences.html
Reynolds, G. (2018). Ethics in Information Technology (6th ed.). Boston, USA: Cengage
Learning. Retrieved September 18, 2018
Rosenø, A. (2018, February 12). Design Thinking - More Than Just a Method. Retrieved
from Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/design-thinking-more-than-just-
method-axel-rosen%C3%B8/
Asheim, B. (2007). Differentiated knowledge bases and varieties of regional innovation
systems. Innovation, 20(3), 223-241.
Becker, J., Kugeler, M., & Rosemann, M. (2013). Process management: a guide for the
design of business processes. London: Springer Science & Business Media.
Brown, T., & Wyatt, J. (2010). Design thinking for social innovation. Development Outreach,
12(1), 29-43.
de Andrés Martínez, C. (2012). Developing metacognition at a distance: sharing students’
learning strategies on a reflective blog. Computer Assisted Language Learning, 25(2),
199-212.

Reflection 9
Dorst, K. (2011). The core of ‘design thinking’and its application. Design studies, 32(6), 521-
532.
Drucker, P. (2014). Innovation and entrepreneurship (1 ed.). London: Routledge.
Dunne, D., & Martin, R. (2006). Design thinking and how it will change management
education: An interview and discussion. Academy of Management Learning &
Education, 5(4), 512-523.
Hobcraft, P. (2017, August 17). An introduction to Design Thinking for Innovation
Managers. Retrieved from blog.hypeinnovation.com:
https://blog.hypeinnovation.com/an-introduction-to-design-thinking-for-innovation-
managers
Kimbell, L. (2011). Rethinking design thinking: Part I. Design and Culture, 3(3), 285-306.
Kirzner, I. M. (2015). Competition and entrepreneurship (Vol. 1). Chicago: University of
Chicago press.
Kuratko, D. F. (2005). The emergence of entrepreneurship education: Development, trends,
and challenges. Entrepreneurship theory and practice, 29(5), 577-597.
Liedtka, J., Ogilvie, T., & Brozenske, R. (2014). The designing for growth field book: A step-
by-step project guide (1 ed.). New York: Columbia University Press,.
Lundvall, B. A. (2010). National systems of innovation: Toward a theory of innovation and
interactive learning (Vol. 2). London: Anthem press.
Martin, R. L. (2009). The design of business: Why design thinking is the next competitive
advantage. (1 ed.). Boston: Harvard Business Press.
Nelson, R. R. (2013). National Innovation Systems: It is. In Regional Innovation And Global,
1(1), 19-34.
Ortlipp, M. (2008). Keeping and using reflective journals in the qualitative research process.
The qualitative report, 13(4), 695-705.
Scarborough, N. M. (2016). Essentials of entrepreneurship and small business management
(Vol. 1). London: Pearson.

Reflection 10
Shamah, R. (2013). Measuring and building lean thinking for value creation in supply chains.
International Journal of Lean, 4(1), 17-35.

Reflection 11