Central Queensland University: Design Thinking Reflective Report

This reflective report details a student's experience in a Design Thinking workshop at Central Queensland University. The report explores various aspects of the workshop, including the design thinking process, tools, and their practical applications. It covers key phases like empathizing, idea generation, rapid prototyping, and testing. The student reflects on the learning experiences, activities, and the application of design thinking principles in entrepreneurship. The report also analyzes the importance of innovation, brainstorming, value chains, empathy, ethics, and rapid prototyping. It further examines the learning launch and marketing campaigns. The student also highlights the importance of identifying the correct problem and the value of the design process. The report concludes with an action plan for improvement and a summary of the workshops and activities undertaken during the course. The student also discusses the application of theories such as the Divergent and the Convergent theory, the logic of reasoning theory, the action research theory, Co creation theory, the learning theory.

Running head: REFLECTIVE REPORT
REFLECTIVE REPORT
Name of the Student
Name of the University
Author Note

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REFLECTIVE REPORT
Executive Summary
The following reflective report has is based on the Design thinking class. The various
mechanisms, the marketing tools along with the various fun activities were the primary focus
areas of the workshop. Through the various design tool techniques, I learned the importance
of the innovation and the use of various design tools. In the following design classes, many
fun and interactive activities were also conducted, which helped us in better understanding of
the whole design thinking process, tools and it applications. Lastly, an action plan was also
devised in order to improve the help us improve and in better understanding of the various
design thinking tool and fill the competency gap if any.

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Table of Contents
INTRODUCTION......................................................................................................................3
ABOUT YOU............................................................................................................................3
REFLECTION OF THE LEARNING.......................................................................................3
REFLECTION OF THE ACTIVITIES.....................................................................................7
CONCLUSION........................................................................................................................11
REFERENCES:........................................................................................................................13

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INTRODUCTION
Design thinking is the process or an approach that mainly focuses on the finding a
solution to underling hidden problems in the most innovative and creative possible way with
the aid of various design thinking tools. Few of the important phases or components of the
design thinking phase that can be considered are empathizing, defining, idea generation, rapid
prototyping and testing the various creative ideas that have changed the way to solve the
various problems in more effective ways through innovative promotional techniques.
ABOUT YOU
I, being a student from the Central Queensland University in Australia was a part of
the workshop that mainly focused on the various Design Think process and its tools. Since I
am very much interested in being an entrepreneur and opening up my own business venture,
this workshop proved to very helpful and beneficial for me.
REFLECTION OF THE LEARNING
During the first introductory workshop, we have learned the importance of
innovations. I have learned that there is no limit for innovations and that we can use our
creativity to get a unique solution to any difficult problem (Randall & Liedtka, 2014). In
addition, I had also learned about the various new concepts that are related to the
entrepreneurship, innovation, diffusion along with design thinking.
During the next week workshop, in the theoretical part I came to know about the
various theories related to the design thinking process which mainly include theories such as
the Divergent and the Convergent theory, the logic of reasoning theory, the action research

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theory, Co creation theory, the learning theory(Runco, 2014). I was not aware about the
different theories. It helped me in better understanding and implementation of the different
theories in the design thinking process. In addition, I also came to know about the various
aspects for effective implementation of those research designs. (Royalty & Roth, 2016).
In the fourth week workshop, in the theory part we learned some of the theoretical
concepts like the identifying the problem by identifying the obvious, followed by the process
of solving it. I was not aware about these different process related to research Design
Thinking. During this learning process I learned that the six stages of the design learning
process mainly comprises of the identifying the problems, sensible decision making along
with the proper prototype testing and the viable testing. In addition, I also have to know about
the important skill set that should be present in a designer are openness, adaptable to change
and learn new things.
From the next workshop, I realized the importance of the two tools of designing those
are Brainstorming and mapping. From this lesson, I realized that the first step for
implementation different creative innovations is brainstorming which involves creative
visualization. This workshop made me realize that with the help of brainstorming, many new
ideas are generated and these new ideas are only the stepping-stone of creativity and
innovation solution to a problem.
During the sixth week workshop, I learned about some important term like the value
chance and the mind mapping related to business organization. Through this learning lesson,
I came to realize that at each step of manufacturing of the product the price or the value of the
products keep on increasing until it reaches to its final stage of product manufacturing. I
realized that it happens so because at each stage few new activities are conducted which
would help in increasing the overall value of the product. During the lesson, I realized that

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mind mapping helps the various business organization and the entrepreneurs in understanding
the experience level of the customer in a better way through graphical representations.
In the next week workshop, we learned the importance of the terms like empathy and
ethics. These emotions may seem to be quite small but through this course, I realized that
they play a vital role especially in a social research purposes to avoid any negative effects on
the research. Research as I realized is the systematic and scientific way by which the different
problems can be identified and analyzed. Research as I fell involves finding and presenting
the data in an effective way in addition to find relevant solution. Through this lesson, I have
also learned the various different process of getting data from a primary source with the help
of empathy. In this learning process I have learned about the various different methods of
collecting the data from a research purposes especially from a primary source like the Semi
structured and unstructured interviews, survey questionnaire, Interview in a group ,
observation in addition to collection of different survey data from various other secondary
sources. In addition, I also learned about the importance of the Delphi Method, which I was
unaware.
In the eighth week workshop, I learned things about Rapid Prototyping, which
according to me is one of the most interesting tools of design thinking. During that lesson, I
learned that Rapid Prototyping is mainly a rough and quick prototype display of the various
concepts in discussion. Through this lesson, I have also been acquainted with the fact that the
main advantage of the Rapid Prototyping is that we can create and test the temporary
prototype in an artificial or temporary situation (Elverum, Welo & Tronvoll, 2016). This
according to me, Rapid Prototyping would help in identifying any problem and rectifying any
underling actual problems which may would have occurred with the real prototype if not
checked properly. This would help in saving lot of amount of money. (Elsen et al., 2013). I
addition, I also became aware about the terms like the concept learning and the assumption

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testing. I realized that Concept learning is very much useful in bringing about creativity
during the presentation. According to me, which would help in analysis drawing conclusion
is the assumption testing.
In the last learning lesson for the week, the importance of the launching was
discussed. During that discussion, I learned that launching is an important aspect in order to
promote a product. As per my point of view, I feel that when we launch and introduce the
product to our target audience, we could ask for their opinion so that we could re module and
re lunches the final product and fulfill the customer desire or wish
The “Design an Entrepreneurial Marketing Campaign” workshop highlights the
various aspects of the marketing like target marketing selection and value position for the
business organization.
The “Design Entrepreneurial Fundraising Campaigns” workshop has helped met to
enhance my knowlede in termms of earning more revenue and capital for the business
organization in the curent competative business senario. I learned the importance of the
various process of fund raising like the crowd funding, Brainstorming and 3F.
In the “Design Yourself” workshop realise the importance of the writing blog, a
reflection a long with deciding upon a future course of actions. Writing blog and developing
the action plan has helped me in critically analysis the various aspects of the research
designing.
The “Design for the Future” workshop has helped me to getting an idea of the various
types of design. I realised the importance of the aesthetics and human emotions. I realised
that in order to support the current and future requirements of a business organization,
redesigning is important

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REFLECTION OF THE ACTIVITIES
During the first workshop we were been shown the video on the IDEO company. I
was greatly inspired and fascinated by their whole work process as to how they built a
creative and innovative solution to a problem. In the video, the IDEO Company was allocated
the job of redesigning the shopping cart. The design team dispatched first studied analyzed
the market, the encountered problem by collecting various information from the different
issues in the present time (Sandino, Matey & Vélez, 2013). After the whole process of
information collection and deep dive analysis of the problem, the design team finally decides
and plan upon a creative and innovative solution to it. If they were not successful in first
time, they should try again. I believe that we may not be fortunate enough to be successful in
our venture during the first time, people may not believe in us and support us in the first time,
they may laugh at us, ridicule us, mock us at our new idea and innovation, but we must not
and never lose our hope and keep trying. From this video and the overall learning lesson, I
came to know that all then different creative and innovation stuffs that we see all around us in
this world is the result of uncountable designing process (Liedtka, 2015).
Form the next workshop I realized that to make a good creative and innovative design
thinking, the designer must trust his own actions, his own core values and believes. In the
activity we had to create mindset of self in pairs thereby indulge in self-reflection. I have
realized that the mindset of the designer has a major effect on the overall innovation and
creativity of a designer. After proper evaluation, I concluded that there is scope of
improvement in me too. Through the different fun class activities, we learn that our different
mindset from other people is what makes us different, unique and special from one another
(Gobble, 2014).

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In the fourth workshop, we were and divided into groups where we were asked to
identify the problem after proper analysis of the picture, which was of a kid playing in a
beach with various items. My team and I began with the proper observation and visualization
of the images and taking all the required notes with patience and time. I really liked that
group activity, as I believe that brainstorming would help in generating lots of new
innovative and creative ideas and decide upon the best from them. From this activity, I
realized that design thinking refers not only to the process of solving the problem but to also
identifying the correct problem and root cause of it. It is the general human tendency that
whenever we face a problem we simply tend to find a solution, which is majorly a temporary
one. However, I realized that in order to eliminate a problem, one needs to dive deep and
identify the root cause of the problem. I came to know that the process visualization is the
stepping-stone for solving any problem or creative innovation (Brenner & Uebernickel,
2016).
In the next workshop, where we were divided into groups of four people and were
shown a power point slide with many pictures of it and were asked to select two pictures
from them and then connect them through brainstorming. Later we were shown another
power point slide with another set of picture. We had to select one picture from the set and
connect and establish a relationship with the other two previously selected pictures with the
help of brainstorming within the members of the group. This activity made me realize the
importance of the process of brainstorming which would help in generating innovation
creative ideas for the solution to problems. Through brainstorming, the chances of various
permutation and combination of different creative and innovative ideas also increase. In
addition, I realize that a journey mapping is a graphical representation of our point of view on
the journey of a customer or consumer in order to establish a preferred journey map.

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In the next workshop, activities on the Virgin airlines were done. These activities
helps in clearing out of the overall concept in a much better way since we ourselves are doing
the activities. In addition, were being made to do may other engaging activities which would
test our thinking out of the box capability. During one activity, we were being asked to
connect a combination of nine small dots with the help of four straight lines. In another
activity, we had to cut a cake in eight equal pieces with the aid of three straight slices of the
cake. These activities made me realize that we must have or inculcate that child like curiosity,
innocence and attitude towards life and the various problems that we may face. Posing those
quality would help in making the like more easy and help us in think forward towards a
greater creative and innovative solutions. In addition to all theses fun activities, we also did
an activity on the five (5) why`s. This activity helped me in understanding the whole process
of how to identify a problem in order to get a new innovative solution (Simatupang,
Piboonrungroj & Williams, 2017).
The next workshop was in pair`s where we had to conduct an interview of one
another. During this process, I learned that humbleness play a very important role in getting
information while conducting and interview or survey. From the following activity, I also
have learnt the importance of the term empathy. In addition, in the following lesson, I also
got to know the importance of being ethical while conducting a research. This would help in
avoiding or solving many problems while conducting a research. We were shown a video
where we were asked to observed the expected things. This engaging activity also help me
learn how to critically observe and analysis a situation or a problem and derive appropriate
conclusion and solution from them (Sanjari et al., 2014).
In the next workshop, we were divided into different groups where we have to use
own innovation and creativity to build a new and unique prototype with some small and
common craft materials like pins, paper, sticks, glues. Although my group had not performed

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so well, it still good learning experience. I had learned to work in a team, to understand the
importance of teamwork, coordination and cooperation. I had learned how to sit together and
brainstorm an idea keeping everyone`s views and sentiments in minds, to communicate in a
group and put forward my viewpoint and idea. I had learned how to decide upon an idea or
reach to a decision that is best for the team without being biased (Elverum & Welo, 2014).
In the last workshop which according to was the best learning experience, we were
teamed with the other group and we were asked to interpret each other`s ideas and give
feedback on each other prototype. This made me realizes the importance of feedback and
proper communication in a business organization for better customer satisfaction. I feel with
proper feedback, the business organization could avoid many unnecessary expenses and
increase the customer base with increased loyalty level.
CONCLUSION
The following action plan has been developed by taking 6 months into consideration
in the context of the future development of my own skills as well as knowledge related to
design thinking.
Key activity: How to increase the admission of kids from the poorer sections of the society
in the school?
TIMELINE ACTIVITY DESCRIPTION
1st Month Collection of all relevant the
secondary data from official
sources.
Help in better understanding of
the whole situation.
2nd Month Interviews of the kids and their Being ethical and humble and

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parents to find out their point of
view, why they are reluctant to
go to school.
explore the communication
skills.
3rd Month Interviews the principle or
headmasters of some school and
try to find out their policies and
infrastructure
Being ethical and humble and
explore the communication
skills.
4th Month Proper Analysis of the
information gathered.
Helps in better understanding of
the whole situation in order
devise a proper creative
prototype.
5th Month Devising a creative prototype to
improve the situation after
Brainstorming.
Application of proper creative
input in order to reach to a
solution.
6th Month Launch and promotion of the
prototype
An important part of design
thinking.
This whole process will help me to explore the various tools in design thinking in a better
ways and work on the drawbacks.

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REFERENCES:
Brenner, W., & Uebernickel, F. (2016). Design thinking for innovation. Research and
Practice.
Elsen, C., Häggman, A., Honda, T., & Yang, M. C. (2013, September). Representation in
early stage design: An analysis of the influence of sketching and prototyping in design
projects. In ASME 2012 International Design Engineering Technical Conferences and
Computers and Information in Engineering Conference (pp. 737-747). American
Society of Mechanical Engineers Digital Collection.
Elverum, C. W., & Welo, T. (2014). The role of early prototypes in concept development:
insights from the automotive industry. Procedia CIRP, 21, 491-496.
Elverum, C. W., Welo, T., & Tronvoll, S. (2016). Prototyping in new product development:
Strategy considerations. Procedia CIRP, 50, 117-122.

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Gobble, M. M. (2014). Design thinking. Research-Technology Management, 57(3), 59-62.
Liedtka, J. (2015). Perspective: Linking design thinking with innovation outcomes through
cognitive bias reduction. Journal of Product Innovation Management, 32(6), 925-938.
Randall, R., & Liedtka, J. (2014). Innovative ways companies are using design
thinking. Strategy & Leadership.
Royalty, A., & Roth, B. (2016). Developing design thinking metrics as a driver of creative
innovation. In Design thinking research (pp. 171-183). Springer, Cham.
Runco, M. A. (2014). Creativity: Theories and themes: Research, development, and practice.
Elsevier.
Sandino, D., Matey, L. M., & Vélez, G. (2013, July). Design thinking methodology for the
design of interactive real-time applications. In International conference of design,
user experience, and usability (pp. 583-592). Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg.
Sanjari, M., Bahramnezhad, F., Fomani, F. K., Shoghi, M., & Cheraghi, M. A. (2014).
Ethical challenges of researchers in qualitative studies: The necessity to develop a
specific guideline. Journal of medical ethics and history of medicine, 7.
Simatupang, T. M., Piboonrungroj, P., & Williams, S. J. (2017). The emergence of value
chain thinking. International Journal of value chain management, 8(1), 40-57.