Portfolio Report: Personal Development in Design Thinking Course

This report details a student's experience in a design thinking course, focusing on the development of critical thinking, presentation skills, and the ability to connect abstract ideas to real-world problems. The student analyzes their learning journey, highlighting the transformation of their mindset, the importance of prototyping, and the strengths and weaknesses encountered during the course. The report also covers knowledge development, including the understanding of design thinking principles, ethics, and the application of tools. The student reflects on their personal growth, emphasizing the ability to view situations from multiple angles, and concludes with an action plan for future development, including the application of learned skills in a professional setting. The report emphasizes the value of diverse teams in design thinking and the importance of presentation skills in conveying research findings.

Running head: REPORT FOR THE PORTFOLIO
Report for the Portfolio
Name
Institution

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Introduction
Communication is a rudimentary process in the lifecycle of every single human being.
Whether it takes place between equal and an equal parties, its primary function is to make sure
that we pass across information with the intended meaning to the recipient. With this in mind, it
is therefore necessary to know that communication doesn’t just happen but it requires a clear
understanding of the context and the knowledge level of those involved. In the same line, the
basic function of education is to enlighten somebody through enabling them to be in possession
of the ability to communicate effectively through proper organization of thoughts ranging from
abstract to more ones that are tangible.
In this case, the main reason for being educated is to acquire relevant knowledge that
would establish us in terms of how we perceive the world and try to find solutions to the existing
problems surrounding us. The acquisition of this knowledge is what brings out the difference in
the way we think and formulate ideas that are responsible for the course of action we take (Janus,
2018). This has actually unfolded itself out when I attended attend a workshop in which I was
taught about design thinking which latter transformed my way of perceiving things in the world
at all angles.
Critical self-analysis
Prior to this exhibition, personally I could not associate ideas within my mind. It used to
be very difficult to relate abstract thoughts to more tangible ideas that would have helped me to
critically analyze situations and come up with viable solutions for those problems. The

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involvement in the discussion groups did actually help me to come up with a new way of looking
in to situation in a whole different perspective. The topic on design it rather restructuring of ideas
has become of great benefit to me since it helps in redirecting an individual’s thoughts to such a
manner that he/ she can generate solutions to problems.
This fueled up discussion in each group where most of my fellow group members came
up with diverse ideas concerning design. Both funny and serious ideas were incorporated in the
discussion where at long last we managed to note down that design thinking involves thinking in
a systematic and critical manner to come up with solutions for the prevailing condition. At the
end of the discussion, we were allowed to exchange our papers with other groups to see what
their opinion was in reference to design.
Design thinking involves having the ability to think beyond the prevailing situations and
coming up with viable solutions for anticipated problems that may occur in the future. This is
what blackberry firm lacked. I also learnt that the inability of the firm to protect their competitive
advantage was also a reason for their downfall. Failure of adapting a digital strategy that could
have seen it dominating the global market. I also learnt that we need to allow our mode of
thinking to be multidirectional so that we may not become victims of rigidity. Given the fact that
I am an aspiring head of a future company, this case has enabled me to develop the ability to
view situations at all angles without biasness thus being at the front through incorporating
flexibility to emerging trends in the market. This involves changing our mindset and the core
values in our possession.
It becomes like an on-going journey in the sense of profession since it requires skills,
experience and more of determination in order to get somewhere. My experience in this course

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has been of great help as it has helped in bringing a whole transformation in the mindset.
According to my own understanding, this unit of study is relevant to all individuals irrespective
of their profession. Through my own assessment about my dreams, I do find it important to take
this course so that it can help me in decision making.
Knowledge development
Design thinking refers to the technique or method that is used by designers in ideation
and development. It concentrates the needs of client thus trying to meet their desires and also
ensures that an organization remains relevant throughout its operation (Kurtmollaiev, 2018). It
integrates the needs of people looks into the possibilities of utilizing technology and that is
needed for a business to be successful. I also came to learn that putting yourself in the shoes of a
designer can help transform the manner in which a firm manufacture and develops their goods
and services (Mintrom, 2018). Sharing of thoughts and developing the ability of being open
minded to new ideas through tuning our minds to relate abstract information to real life situations
is the key opener to development of new ideas (Kurtmollaiev, 2018). Design thinking involves
having the ability to think beyond the prevailing situations and coming up with viable solutions
for anticipated problems that may occur in the future.
I did also come to realize that to have a clear mindset refers to being open to ideas and
discussions from other people in addition to skepticism so that one can generate informed
decisions about an action to be undertaken. Ability to utilize tools with deeper understanding that
can only be achieved through wide experience (Luotola, 2017). . The main objective of dividing
ourselves into groups of four was to try and come up with ideas concerning mindset. To be

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sincere, before the exposition, I didn’t know the exact meaning of the word mindset but soon
after the discussion, I realized that mindset refers to the approach that a person uses to come up
with informed decisions before executing any action. This involves being skeptical to all forms
of ideas and trying to perceive things at all angles before taking any action.
From the exposition and discussions that were held in classroom, I was surprised to
realize that ethics is the driving force that facilitates an individual to formulate best decision with
honesty in mind since it deals with norms, the right and wrong (Schiele, 2018). it can also refer
to the development of ones standards of ethics thus it is wrong to say that feelings, law and social
norms are right since they can deviate to some extend from ethics.
Design thinking has got several steps which may not be orderly but do help in critical
decision making for instance, prototyping involves production of cheap scaled down forms of the
product which can be used to investigate on the adversities and find the best solution (Luotola,
2017) It is possible to share and test the prototype within the team itself. Prototyping is within
the experimental phase to find solutions to the existing problems. After accomplishing this stage,
it becomes possible for the designing team to know what is best for the product and what can
affect it adversely. Deign thinking also involves keeping track of prevailing records (Bernstein,
2018).
Personal development
After learning more on design thinking, I have come to realize that for us to become great
designers rather good decision makers, we ought to tune our minds in such a manner that we can
be able to perceive things out of the normal. Confronting situations from all angles. I did learn

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how to connect ideas and give meaning to more abstract thoughts through associating them with
reality thus creating the ability to become a creative and a critical thinker. It involves the
selection and application of mental model to execute complex decisions which may range from
business model design to innovation strategy. Having a clear mindset is what differentiates great
designers from average ones. In this context, it should be understood that mindset rather creative
thinking is something that can only be learnt over a long period and experiences. From this
week’s exposition, I have learnt that our minds can be transformed into the right mindset through
life experiences, the environment and beliefs contained in our subconscious mind.
The ability to dissociate irrational thoughts from rational ones which create room for
adoption to future changes when considering decisions. I have been able to learn the skills of
presentation, how to manage stage fright and thus becoming an eloquent speaker by organizing
and presenting ideas about design thinking in a more systematic manner. The most important
part of my knowledge development was when I learnt about prototyping. Having the ability to
create simple sample of product that can be tested in the market before the main product is
brought into the market (Warnecke, 2016).
Strengths and weaknesses
The presence of diverse team in design thinking is one of its greatest values. Those who
form part of the design thinking team are vital to its success or failure. It is suitable since the
team is diversified in terms of thinkers. The more diverse the team is the more stable the
decisions that will be generated in the long run. Diverse thinking works best in the right

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environment (Mintrom, 2010). When the stock of competence is constructively engaged, it
becomes easy for them to open up.
I also do find my strength in the presentation of the discussion In front of the class. The
absence of stage fright which gives me time to compose and arrange my ideas in a systematic
manner is meaningful to this point. It was also quite easy for me to apply the concept of ethics in
my decisions and actions thus resulting to more informed solutions for the sample for the sample
of problems that were on the way. One of my weaknesses was that I did find it difficult to
socialize with other students freely given the fact that I am an extrovert thus could not find a
clear way of connecting with other students. Poor understanding of prototyping which lead to
poor development of simple samples that can be used in the market before launching of new
product.
Conclusion
Design thinking is a wide and most important topic that can be used to develop the way
people think about the prevailing situation. Learning how to connect and relate abstract thoughts
to relevant and more rational ideas that can be used to make informed decisions which in turn
can act as a viable solution to a critical situation. From this workshop, it also comes out clearly
that we need to develop our presentation skills because they are necessary when it comes to
explanation of research findings. With this in practice, I learnt that thinking outside the box
actually entailed developing new perspective of seeing things (Bernstein, 2018). We also learnt a
lot about mind mapping which entailed developing meaning from huge volume of data. It is
important especially when trying to find link between ideas at hand. Mapping also involves

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narrowing down to specific thoughts from the broad ones. It is also of great importance to note
that despite fact that part of the lessons was somehow tough, in general I was able to learn a lot
which widened my knowledge capacity.
Action plan
The most crucial part of any learning is developing the ability to apply it in a real life
situation and developing the skills which will intern helps you to gain sufficient experience in the
field and become an expert. Given the fact that there were certain areas in the unit which I did
not understand them fully, I have decided to take an action plan of going to an attachment in any
of the organization that will be willing to absorb me into their system so that I can gain
experience in the field.

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References
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Chen, S., & Venkatesh, A. (2013). An investigation of how design-oriented organisations
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Fry, T. (2018). Design, a Philosophy of Liberation and ten considerations. Strategic Design
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Janus, K. K. (2018). Using Design Thinking to Help Nonprofits Fundraise. Harvard Business
Review Digital Articles, 2–5. Retrieved from http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?
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Kurtmollaiev, S., Pedersen, P. egil, Fjuk, A., & Kvale, K. (2018). Developing Managerial
Dynamic Capabilities: A Quasi-Experimental Field Study of the Effects of Design

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Thinking Training. Academy of Management Learning & Education, 17(2), 184–202.
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