Reflective Report on Design Thinking Course

The report aims to provide a critical self-analysis and reflection on the knowledge gained in the Creative Designs course. It will also provide discussion on the personal development that was experienced during the course. The report provides an action plan that would reflect the plans for learning the concept better in the future.

Running head: REFLECTIVE REPORT
REFLECTIVE REPORT
Name of the student:
Name of the university:
Author note:

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Executive summary
The main purpose of the report was to provide a critical self-analysis regarding the topic Design
Thinking studied during the course. In the report, I have presented my journey from being
oblivion to innovative thinking in business to being a confident learner. The weekly blogs that I
had composed throughout the course have also been referenced in the report. The first week blog
was about being introduced to the subject of Design Thinking; the second week blog talked
about the videos that were shown to make us understand the Design Thinking process. The third
week blog was all about planning while the fourth week blog included the five processes in
Design Thinking. Fifth blog was all about data and its characteristics. The sixth week blog
highlighted the fundamentals of business and activities such as thinking out of the box. The
seventh week was about problem solving after watching videos and the tenth blog was about the
presentation given by my team and me to the class. The following blog consists of the strategies
needed for improving the approach towards execution of the activities systematically. The report
concluded with an overall summary of the analysis and suggestions for further research.

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Table of Contents
Introduction......................................................................................................................................3
Reflection on the activity.................................................................................................................3
Critical analysis...............................................................................................................................8
Future scope...................................................................................................................................10
Conclusion.....................................................................................................................................11
References and bibliography.........................................................................................................12

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Introduction
The report aims to provide a critical self-analysis and reflection on the knowledge gained
in the Creative Designs course. It will also provide discussion on the personal development that
was experienced during the course. Blogs are an effective means of enhancing the
communication skills. Writing blogs can be considered as one of the effective means for
expressing the inner thoughts, feelings and emotions in a proper manner. The report will provide
an action plan that would reflect my plans for learning the concept better in the future.
Reflection on the activity
Innovation in business has always been a fascinating topic for students and it has
fascinated me as well. With an aim to understand the concept of innovation in business more
clearly, I decided to undertake the Creative designs course and learn about the Design Thinking
mindset. The classes were very productive as those helped me have a clearer idea about creative
thinking in business. Innovation in any business, I found, was related to creative thinking and
this creative thinking came from adopting a design thinking approach. According to this
approach, analyzing and solving any problem is done by following an experimental method
(Górska& Soroko, 2017). However, I have found that the critical thinking process associated
with decision-making is not the same as the one associated with analyzing and solving problems.
Innovative approach involved the adoption of a customer-centric business model that gives
priority to the customer’s needs and convenience. This approach also enables the business to
provide the best services to the people.
After undertaking the course and completing the activities, I acquired more confidence in
it and to learn better, I indulged in activities such as researching and identifying practical

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examples. I found the example of Apple Company, which is largely inclined towards innovation
in business. My research found that the company does not involve in market research or secrecy
to launch a new product and in spite of this approach, it has managed to launch many products
successfully. This example gives evidence of innovative approach and its effectiveness in
business. I feel that Design Thinking is very useful to raise the value of any product and
consequently of any company in a specific market (Prokhorov& Chernov, 2015).
It is very striking that before commencing the activities, I had no idea about the role of
innovation in businesses. My teacher Mr. Burgess asked us to form a group of four and look at
some pictures with something happening in the beach. Then, he asked us to find the problems in
the pictures and choose one to give presentation on. The activity was fun as I had an interesting
conversation with my friends, as we were able to pick several problems and noted them down
(See blog 4, Week 4, 1/8/2018). The activities have cleared my understanding about Design
Thinking and I feel that it would be helpful for my personal development as well to follow an
analytical approach. Undertaking experimental tasks enhances my creativity and broadens the
scope and arena of my design thinking process. This is because experiments consists of
problems, which needs to be solved through the application of various solutions (Haarhoff,
Thwaites & Bennett‐Levy, 2015).
During another activity, I learnt that innovation was not associated with critical thinking
process, which is needed for decision-making. The activity was related to the fundamentals of
business. Our teacher enlightened us about the primary and secondary activities that a business
undertakes with focus on the customers. The activity requires us to think ‘out-of-the-box’ and
come up with ideas, which are unconventional (See blog 6, Week 6, 22/08/2018). I got to know
that in terms of undertaking prospective decisions, critical thinking needs to be applied. I felt that

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conscious approach towards the needs of the customers improves the focus of the personnel into
the business activities. This consciousness can be considered as one of the essential traits of the
personnel in terms of achieving large scale customer satisfaction. Analysis of the exposed
approach is needed in terms of examining its effectiveness, appropriateness and feasibility
(Easterby-Smith & Cunliffe, 2017). I think hypothetical planning seemed beneficial in terms of
assessing the positive and the negative impacts of the applied design thinking. I got to know that
hypothetical planning is needed in the management process for examining the impact of the
implemented decisions on the profit and loss of the companies and organizations.
After completing the activities, I felt that my understanding about the concepts of design
thinking has noticeably improved. The activity involved us to form groups and fold a piece of
paper to write some key points and then draw a picture with the key points. These were then
exchanged amongst team members who were told to write six points that first came to their mind
when they saw the pictures (See blog 1, Week 1, 11/7/2018). The major drive behind this is the
evaluation and the action plans, which I prepared before commencing the activities. I also
referred to the external sources for executing the evaluation. During the activities, I researched
about innovation adopted by Apple. I learnt that they adopt customer centric approach in the
process of providing innovative services to the customers. During this, I also found that Apple
does not conduct any research before launching any product. In spite of this, the company is one
of the reputed brands in the market. However, I think this approach is inappropriate in terms of
luring the customers. Divine and Zachry, (2018), prior to the product launch, the personnel need
to study about the demands of the customers. As the approach is to gain the attention of the
customers, therefore, strategies are needed in terms of systematizing and organizing the activities
according to the priorities.

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I think that in terms of personal development also, strategic planning is needed before
conducting any activity. This planning helps in exposing proper approach towards the duties and
responsibilities. Along with this, creating action plans proved beneficial for me in terms of
displaying systematic approach towards the activities. I learnt that allotting time limits for the
tasks proves advantageous in terms of the enhancing the confidence towards completing the
activities with perfection. Contacting the experts helped me in assessing whether the learning
process adopted is effective in terms of reaching to the goals. If I expose similar attitude to that
of Apple, I would never be able to reach to the identified and specified goals.
After completing the activities, I felt that analytical skills have been inculcated within
me. In the activity, our teacher showed us two videos – one of IDEO Company and the other of
The Simpsons. The first video helped me understand the importance of innovative skills and
thinking process. It also helped me understand that having a design mindset could go a long way
in solving problems. The second video on the other hand, made me understand that my own
ideas cannot satisfy the entire group. Designing is difficult but various ways are there to attain it
(See blog 2, Week 2, 18/07/2018). The major drive behind this is the evaluation, which I
conducted for the performance displayed by me. After this, I conducted personality tests for
bringing into the forefront the drawbacks. Recommendations from the experts proved beneficial
for me in terms of improving the personality.
At the end of another activity, I feel that the skills, which I have learned, carries great
value in terms of attaining better placement in the future. This activity was also about solving
complex problems. I learned that problem solving had had three steps – defining the problem,
analyzing the problem and solving the problem. The activity we performed required us to
observe a paper with thirty circles drawn in it and understand the circles. In groups, we involved

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in a discussion and tried to understand the circles. Each member had a different view and that
made me think that delivering our thoughts is not easy (See blog 5, Week 5, 08/08/2018). This is
because of the analytical tools of mind mapping, journey mapping, and rapid prototyping among
others. Mind mapping helped me in projecting the sources, through which I could reach to the
targeted goals. In conducting the activity of mind mapping, I found the steps adopted by
companies like Apple for achieving customer satisfaction. The branches for the aspects enhanced
my understanding regarding the basic concepts. This also proved appropriate in terms of
projecting the possible avenues through which I can attain knowledge development.
Journey mapping seemed effective for me in terms of gaining an insight into the
processes adopted by companies like Apple. This is in terms of fulfilling the identified and the
specified goals. I mapped their progress and conducted its 3D representation, which enhanced
my awareness regarding the different angles of approaching the business operations. Along with
this, the process broadened the scope and arena of my thought process. Sharing the data among
the friends helped me in reducing the knowledge gaps. I used online methods for sharing the
data. This brings the aspect of technological skills, which, I think revolutionized the aspect of
design thinking. Making use of search engine optimization is one of the examples, which I can
relate in this context. With the use of this tool, I could upgrade my knowledge about the basic
concepts regarding design thinking. Along with this, I can also make mention of keyword search,
which helped me in reaching to my exact requirements.
I can also refer to journey mapping, which made me aware of the journey through which
companies like Apple underwent for achieving success. Mapping the journey proved effective
for me in terms of learning about the struggles, which the company bore for emerging as a
people’s brand. This activity enabled me to conduct my life journey. Therefore, I mapped the

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journey, consisting of the struggles, which I did for fulfilling the identified and specified goals.
This included action plans and checklists for gaining consciousness towards my strengths,
weakness, opportunities and threats. I think the personality tests proved effective in mitigating
the intensity of the threats. Attending personality development courses proved beneficial for me
in terms of working towards upgrading the current skills, expertise and knowledge.
According to the blogs of week 9 and 10, I emerged successful in sharing my experience
on improvement of the business strategies. Strategic planning towards the subject reflected a
good start towards initiation of the project activities. At the initial stage, I planned the writing
section to be included within the presentation. After writing, I evaluated it for selecting the
appropriate sections. I felt that this process enhanced my awareness regarding dealing with the
potential challenges in the process of writing blogs (refer to week 9 and 10 blog entry dated 19th
September 2018).
After completing the blogs, my skills regarding the organizing the information were
enhanced. Firstly, I listed all of the information to be included within the presentation. I
maintained the format of blog writing in this stage.
Throughout the process, I gained an insight into difficulties of presenting a task. I can
specifically mention the upgradation of my writing skills as well as self-organizational skills and
competencies (refer to week 9 and 10 blog entry dated 19th September 2018).
Critical analysis
As per the opinions of Kocielnik, Xiao, Avrahamiand (2018), self-reflection is a crucial
activity in terms of ensuring the attainment of personal development in an efficient and effective
manner. This activity can be performed after conducting the personality tests. Conducting self-

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evaluation proves beneficial in terms of assessing the effectiveness, appropriateness and
feasibility of the performance. This is applicable both in the personal and professional spheres of
life. In most of the cases, I have seen that managers instruct the employees to execute reflections.
However, I think if the employees conduct reflection, it assists them to improve their
performance. This is because reflection helps them in recapitulating on the exposed performance.
This recapitulation enables the individuals to regulate and control their emotions. I think this
regulation is necessary in terms of exposing matured approach.
With the approach, I can relate behavioral theory into the context. Execution of
reflection is both a planned and reasoned action. This is because reflection helps in assessing the
effectiveness of the exposed behavior. I think carrying out the reflection before someone points
out the drawbacks, reflects the initiatives towards venturing into the path of leadership. With the
aspect of leadership, I can bring trait theory into the concept. As opined by Ivy and Jacobs,
(2017), reflecting on the activities performed, is one of an important trait of the individuals.
Maintaining consistency in reflecting on the performance can be related to the Great Man
Theory. Consistent reflection on the displayed performance upgrades the personality of the
individuals. Consulting the experts about improving the personality makes the individuals great.
Before doing the activity as mentioned above, I had zero knowledge about innovation
within business. However, undertaking various experimental activities enhanced my awareness
regarding innovation playing a major role in altering the workplace scenario. Researching on
companies like Apple helped me to gain an understanding about the basic concepts related to
marketing. Within this, search engine optimization and keyword search directly took me to the
required information. These initiatives broadened the scope and arena of my thinking skills. The
results, which I received through the execution of these activities improved my creativity and

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innovation. I feel that initiatives of project mapping, mind mapping, rapid prototyping acts as
analytical tools for improving my skills, abilities and competencies related to design thinking.
During the process of executing the activities as done throughout the course, I got the
guidance and support of senior and the experienced members. This support helped me in
evaluating the effectiveness, appropriateness and feasibility of my displayed performance. The
tutors inculcated within me self-organizational skills, which helped me in systematizing the
activities according to the priorities. In this stage, I took the assistance of the checklists, which
enabled me to track my performance according to the identified and specified goals. The column
of recommendation in the checklists reflected my initiatives towards correcting my personality.
Consulting the experts online is one of the other example of using analytical tools for improving
design thinking (Hao et al., 2016). Launching the learning process on the online sites enhanced
my awareness about the prospective customers, who would help me in bringing to the forefront
the drawbacks in my performance. I think shortlisting the candidates is also an evaluation in
terms of modifying the current personal skills, abilities and competencies. With all these aspects,
I can relate transformational leadership. Experimental activities acted as an agent in terms of
transforming my personality.
I found that successful companies like Apple lacks strategic planning. In spite of this, the
brand is a successful one among the customers. I wondered at such approach. I felt that strategic
planning is necessary in terms of completing the tasks according to their priorities. Evaluation
and reflection of the plans is fruitful in terms of assessing its effectiveness before launching the
services for the customers (Schön, 2017). In the process of this activity, I found that this
evaluation is also effective for me in terms of examining its feasibility in terms of the identified

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and specified goals. This assessment is effective for gaining an insight into the appropriateness
for the paths adopted for attaining personal and professional development.
Future scope
Through search engine optimization and keyword search, I gained technical skills. This
acts as an opportunity for me to enhance my design thinking. I think attending certificate or
diploma courses on information technology would help me in improving my skills on
automation.
Practicing critical analysis would enhance my creativity and innovation. For this, taking
the help of mind mapping can be one of the effective options. Writing critical analysis of the
open ended narratives can suffice the need for upgrading innovative skills. Indulging in open
forums and discussions with colleagues, seniors and tutors would also broaden my perspectives
regarding the issues. Undertaking challenging and enduring tasks would increase my confidence
in carrying out the tasks with confidence. I personally feel that setting goals and time limits for
the tasks would be effective in altering my approach towards the allocated duties and
responsibilities. Regularly tracking the performance would make me aware of the changes,
which I need to make for reaching to the benchmark level of performance.
Setting of goals is crucial in terms of improving the focus in the execution of the
activities. Without goals and strategies, performance holds no value. Moreover, goals and
strategies adds value to the performance. I think consciousness towards setting goals is one of an
important behavioral traits. Creating realistic and achievable goals would be a planned activity in
terms of attaining personal development. Assessing the effectiveness, appropriateness and
feasibility of the goals is a reasoned behavior in terms of exposing matured approach towards

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enhancing professionalism. Judgmental rationality is an important concept, which I think is vital
in terms of implementing the proposed strategies. Assessment of the benefits and the impacts,
before implementation of the strategies helps me in enhancing the decision-making process. I felt
that blog writing skills would help me to systematically deal with the challenges and issues.
Sending entries to magazines can be helpful for me in improving my writing skills. Participating
in writing competitions can also suffice the need for polishing the current communicative skills,
abilities and competencies.
Conclusion
Lack of awareness regarding the basic concepts is obvious at the initial stage. However,
undertaking experimental activity proved beneficial for me in terms of enhancing my learning
process. Consulting the experts about the adopted learning methods proved fruitful in terms of
assessing whether I was progressing on the right path towards the attainment of personal
development. Taking the assistance of analytical tools like mind mapping, journey mapping,
rapid prototyping enhanced my awareness about the concepts related to design thinking.
Evaluation of the learning processes seemed beneficial in terms of seeking the prospective
avenues, which I can avail for achieving personal and professional development.

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References and bibliography
Bouncken, R., Brem, A. &Kraus, S., 2016. Multi-cultural teams as sources for creativity and
innovation: The role of cultural diversity on team performance. International Journal of
Innovation Management, 20(01), p.1650012.
Burrows, A. C., & Harkness, S. S. (2016). Experiencing action evaluation’s cyclic process:
partnering conflict, reflection, and action. Educational Action Research, 24(4), 460-478.
Divine, D., & Zachry, M. (2018). Project Management, Contradictions, and Textualized
Activity: Supporting Reflection in Project Based Organizations. Technical
Communication, 65(2), 194-209.
Easterby-Smith, M., & Cunliffe, A. L. (2017). From reflection to practical reflexivity:
Experiential learning as lived experience. In Organizing reflection (pp. 44-60).
Routledge.
Górska, D., & Soroko, E. (2017). Between verbalization and reflection: Referential activity and
narrative processes in borderline personality organization. Psychoanalytic
Psychology, 34(4), 422.
Haarhoff, B., Thwaites, R., & Bennett‐Levy, J. (2015). Engagement with self‐practice/self‐
reflection as a professional development activity: the role of therapist beliefs. Australian
Psychologist, 50(5), 322-328.
Hao, N., Ku, Y., Liu, M., Hu, Y., Bodner, M., Grabner, R. H., & Fink, A. (2016). Reflection
enhances creativity: Beneficial effects of idea evaluation on idea generation. Brain and
cognition, 103, 30-37.

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Ivy, V. N., & Jacobs, J. M. (2017). Developing Personal and Social Responsibility: Committing
Time to Reflection: Column Editor: K. Andrew R. Richards. Strategies, 30(5), 45-47.
Jackson, D., Sibson, R. &Riebe, L., 2014. Undergraduate perceptions of the development of
team-working skills. Education+ Training, 56(1), pp.7-20.
Kocielnik, R., Xiao, L., Avrahami, D., & Hsieh, G. (2018). Reflection Companion: A
Conversational System for Engaging Users in Reflection on Physical
Activity. Proceedings of the ACM on Interactive, Mobile, Wearable and Ubiquitous
Technologies, 2(2), 70.
Mintz, J., 2016. Bion and Schön: Psychoanalytic perspectives on reflection in action. British
Journal of Educational Studies, 64(3), pp.277-293.
Prokhorov, A. O., & Chernov, A. V. (2015). Self-reflection control of mental states during
academic activity. Mediterranean Journal of Social Sciences, 6(3 S2), 277.
Prokhorov, A.O. &Chernov, A.V., 2015. Self-reflection control of mental states during academic
activity. Mediterranean Journal of Social Sciences, 6(3 S2), p.277.
Schippers, M.C., West, M.A. &Dawson, J.F., 2015. Team reflexivity and innovation: The
moderating role of team context. Journal of Management, 41(3), pp.769-788.
Schön, D. A. (2017). The reflective practitioner: How professionals think in action. Routledge.
Tjosvold, D. & Tjosvold, M., 2015. Reflection: Learning to be a Better Team. In Building the
Team Organization (pp. 192-202). Palgrave Macmillan, London.

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