Reflective Report on Design Thinking

This reflective report details the author's experiences and learnings from ten workshops on design thinking. It covers various topics such as journey mapping, value chain analysis, and customer co-creation, while also discussing personal strengths and weaknesses identified throughout the process. The report concludes with an action plan for future development in design thinking.

Running head: REFLECTIVE REPORT ON THE WEEKLY BLOGS
Reflective Report on the Weekly Blogs
Name of the Student
Name of the University
Author’s Note:

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REFLECTIVE REPORT ON THE WEEKLY BLOGS
Table of Contents
Introduction......................................................................................................................................2
Discussion........................................................................................................................................2
Action Plan and Strengths or Weaknesses.......................................................................................8
Conclusion.......................................................................................................................................9
References......................................................................................................................................11

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Introduction
The processes that are utilized by all the designers for solving any kind of complicated
and complex problems and finally searching for relevant solutions for their customers are known
as design thinking processes (Johansson‐Sköldberg, Woodilla & Çetinkaya, 2013). The design
thinking procedure draws upon the logic, intuition, systematic reasoning and imagination for the
exploring of all the probable results and thus making the required outcomes that would be
extremely advantageous for all the users. I have known that design thinking is extremely
important and beneficial for all types of complicated problems. From my ten weekly blogs I have
also shared all the knowledge that I have gathered with respect to design thinking (Bjögvinsson,
Ehn & Hillgren, 2012). The discussion is on the various topics of design thinking like design it,
something innovative about designing tools, journey mapping, value chain analysis, mind
mapping, design research, customer co creation, rapid prototyping, design the learning launch,
design an entrepreneurial marketing campaigns and design an entrepreneurial fundraising
campaigns. My personal experiences are also described in this particular self reflective report.
In the following report, I have covered all my ten weekly blogs that I have written from
the workshops of the design thinking. Each of my blogs is described with my personal
experiences and the knowledge I have gained from those activities (Razzouk & Shute, 2012).
The blogs are completely based on design thinking and the activities that I have done are based
on design thinking. The report contains my action plan, strengths and weaknesses that I have
obtained from the classes. This is a self reflective report on the classes of Design Thinking.

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Discussion
Design What?
Design What was the first class that we attended on design thinking. In this particular
class, my lecturer provided us a piece of paper and we were asked to write few sentences about
the particular course, that is what we understand from the name of the course and what can be
the probable topics related to this course. (Melles, Howard & Thompson-Whiteside, 2012).
Groups were formed and each group had around three to four members. After writing our
relevant topics we gradually passed that piece of paper to the rest groups and all the groups
approved and accepted our idea of design thinking (Kolko, 2015). The major objective of this
task and the first class was to check whether our idea was accepted and approved by other groups
or not.
Journey Mapping
This workshop helped us in understanding the concept of journey mapping. Journey
mapping will be those representations, done a flowchart alternately different realistic format, of
the stakeholder’s knowledge as he alternately she meets expectations will fulfill something from
claiming significance on him or her. These maps could portray the stakeholder’s genuine
alternately perfect gas voyage (Melles, Howard & Thompson-Whiteside, 2013). Voyage maps
are utilized for the configuration speculation procedure and are particularly profitable for
documenting the stakeholders’ current actuality. Select the stakeholder whose background you
need to get it a greater amount completely. Go through a percentage the long haul exploring as
much or her connection Furthermore circumstances. After the movement fruition I realized that it
will be imperative for me should make mindful of the essentials joined to this week.

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Value Chain Analysis
In this class, we understood the design tool of value chain analysis. Worth era will be a
magic issue in the management of associations because of it permits the purchaser satisfaction,
changing face for rival furthermore reward those managers or shareholders. Its medicine reflects
both the academic and the benefits of the business world, which means the teachers, researchers,
executives and also the supervisors of the enterprises, even the enterprises are micro, small,
medium or expansive (Razzouk & Shute, 2012). Despite of these distinctive methodologies of
the subject, this paper will try to create a methodology from an aggressive viewpoint. Moreover,
through the quality chain, an illustration could be made of the entire situation.
Mind Mapping
The present explanation in class plays a meaningful portrait and how the mind mapping
systems will be in procedure. The third class or workshop taught me the basic concept of mind
mapping and what is the meaning of mind mapping. I thought that the logical reasoning is the
most important factor without any kind of design. When I was performing this particular activity,
I was not confident about the concept of mind set (Howlett, 2014). However, soon my doubts
were clear and the questions were answered. I understood that a positive mind set up means
when I can modify or alter my views or perceptions about everybody others. The modifications
are extremely important for me, as they would help me in developing my career. Negative mind
set up occurs when I will not change or alter my views or perceptions about others under any
circumstances (Kolko, 2015). A designer becomes successful when he would have a positive
mind set up and is ready to accept everybody’s views or perceptions.

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From the workshop of mind set up, I cleared my doubts about mind set up and
understood the benefits of a positive mind set up in any work place.
Brain Storming
This workshop helped me know about brainstorming and brainstorming can be used in
solving several problems. Our lecturer briefed us about the concepts of brainstorming and
visualization. Later on, we provided with various activities that taught us how to handle
situations by simply thinking or using our brains or visualizing the things (Mootee, 2013). We
understood that when we will think more about any problem, more innovative ideas are bound to
come out. This workshop was extremely beneficial for all of us.
Customer Co-Creation
This workshop helped me to know about customer co- creation. This is absolutely related
to design thinking. I got to know that customer co-creation has become incrementally popular
amongst all the organizations, and the severe communication with all the clients has generally
observed as the determinant of the success of the innovative product or service. There are two
types of data collection. They are the systematic and a systematic collection of data. Systematic
data collection is a procedure of the collection of accurate and error free data by several means
like interviews, preparing questionnaires, and several ways that have not always been clear.
However, the collection of data in the field settings could be done in a proper systematic,
structured, and scientific way. Ethical data collection is considerations for data collection and
research tools. The highest standards of ethics should be upheld when the collection of data and
the collection of the research plan should clarify the security measures that should be taken for
the protection of the involved participants.

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Rapid Prototyping
This was the most interesting class amongst the rest. This movement is related with the
perception of speculations and models that falls under the act of configuration considering. There
is the connecting of comprehension of configuration thinking nature including the reflection
required for business or attitude for originator. Another goal connected to the action is that it
incorporates understanding required for reflection and intelligent written work. My involvement
with the movement was astonishing as I understood about the total procedure of configuration
considering. When I was playing out the action, diverse musings were coming in my brain as I
was bit apprehensive and awkward. There were various inquiries also that were taking off, as a
top priority related to this movement, for example, why is it critical to appreciate the data about
the action. In any case, when I in the end began chipping away at this action I found certain
intrigued things and furthermore I came to realize that there is quite a bit of learning that can be
picked up in the field of configuration considering. The lesson that I got from this class was the
utilization of design tools.
Design the Learning Launch
After the development of the solution that we made for our identified problem was the
most necessary portion for launching our plan. The resources that needed for launching any plan
in a business are the employees, cash and the partners (Bjögvinsson, Ehn & Hillgren, 2012). The
task is not as simple as it seems to be. In this particular workshop, we have learnt how a product
can be launched in a market. The major plans we undertook for the launching of our products
include channel management, service management, sales and several marketing strategies. These
particular types of marketing strategies are extremely helpful for the estimation of the budget for

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the launching of the product. The panning of the launching is performed only when the product
has passed its test. This testing of the product further helps in the targeting of the customers
(Viswanathan & Linsey, 2012). From our tenth class, we knew about the identification of the
customers and about the launching of our products.
Design an Entrepreneurial Marketing Campaign
In this particular workshop, we understood the basic concept of marketing an identified
and made personas. We also understood about the target markets and the analysis of the
competitors in a business. The 4Ps of marketing are extremely important for any business. The
entrepreneurial marketing campaigns were also explained in the workshop with details. The main
objectives of this workshop include gaining an overview of marketing, be able to use personas in
Design Thinking, be able to carry out competitor analysis, introduction of entrepreneurial
marketing, to understand Design as Communication and to workshop your Launch Readiness
Plan.
Design Entrepreneurial Fundraising Campaigns
In this particular workshop, we understood the basic concept of fundraising in a business.
Moreover, the workshop also contained the sources of finance for entrepreneurial endeavours
and innovations, fundraising campaigns of finance and management, other resource
requirements, long-term plan, recommendations and time frame (Noweski et al., 2012). The
main objectives of this workshop were to introduce sources of capital for entrepreneurial
innovations, to understand the basic approaches to fundraising from Business Angels, crowd
funding and grant providers, to introduce success fundraising campaigns, to understand the
remaining elements of the launch readiness plan.

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Action Plan and Strengths or Weaknesses
The ten workshops or classes that I have attended on Design Thinking have been a great
help for me to understand the concept of design thinking easily. At first, I did not have clear
ideas on the topics. However, as I got completely involved in the workshops, the concepts
became clear. We understood the meanings of thinking out of the box and working as a team or
in groups and. My lecturer helped us in understanding the fact that all problems have extremely
simple solutions, which can be attained without any type of mental pressure. I have also
understood the value of time and how to complete a task within given time. The knowledge that I
have gained from these workshops would be extremely beneficial for me in the rest of my life.
The action plan is a series of phases, which are undertaken for achieving distinct
objectives and goals. My exclusive action plan for the design thinking is as follows:
Goals to be Achieved Tasks to be Done Time Frame Requirements
1. Think Innovatively
and Creatively
I have to understand and
know the methods of
research.
Within two to three
months
Proper education and
guidance.
2. Do not Be
Hyperactive
I have to understand the
problem completely and
then come up with
relevant solutions.
Within two to three
days.
Relaxation and
medication.
3. Doing tasks out of the
box
I have to create anything
creative and innovative
for the society
Two to three months Experiment is needed
in every stage.

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These workshops have even helped me in recognizing my strengths and weaknesses. The
descriptions of my strengths and weaknesses are given below.
Strengths: From the workshops that I have attended, I understood that my strength is that
I can understand any problem or any concept easily. This is one of my major strengths. I did not
have the idea about my this capability before attending the design thinking classes. These
workshops have been a great help to me. The second strength that I have is the presence of mind
and intellect. I can easily solve any problem and provide innovative solutions to them.
Weaknesses: In spite of having the above mentioned strengths, I have some of the
weaknesses as well that I have known from these workshops. I am very much impatient
regarding every task. I would an experience of this weakness. In one of design thinking class, I
was lacking behind and all my group members were coming out with innovative ideas. I became
impatient due to this. However, I controlled myself. The second weakness that I have understood
from the workshops is that I do not have the capability to think out of the box. I can overcome
this weakness by simply focusing on my work and worrying less.
Conclusion
Therefore, I can conclude from the above discussion that the processes, which every
designer does to solve all types of complex use and complicated issues and finally finding for the
results for the customers are known as procedures of design thinking. This procedure of design
thinking often draws upon the systematic reasoning, intuition, logic and imagination to explore
for the possible results. This in case makes the required results absolutely beneficial for the
users. I have understood that the process of design thinking is absolutely beneficial and
important for any type of complicated issue. The ten weekly blogs that I have shared in the report

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has all the information, which I have acquired from my classes of design thinking. The above
discussion is on the several topics of the process of design thinking like rapid prototyping, design
it, design research, mind mapping, anything new about the tools of designing, journey mapping,
value-chain analysis, customer co creation, designing of the learning launch, designing of an
entrepreneurial marketing campaigns and designing of an entrepreneurial fundraising campaigns.
I have also described how design thinking is related to personal experiences. The above report
contains my plan of action, my strengths and weaknesses that I have acquired from those classes.
The action plan describes my action in the next few months and what knowledge I have gathered
from the classes and how can I utilize these actions in my life.

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References
Birkeland, J. (2012). Design blindness in sustainable development: from closed to open systems
design thinking. Journal of Urban Design, 17(2), 163-187.
Bjögvinsson, E., Ehn, P., & Hillgren, P. A. (2012). Design things and design thinking:
Contemporary participatory design challenges. Design Issues, 28(3), 101-116.
Carlgren, L. (2013). Design thinking as an enabler of innovation: Exploring the concept and its
relation to building innovation capabilities. Chalmers University of Technology.
Howlett, M. (2014). From the ‘old’to the ‘new’policy design: design thinking beyond markets
and collaborative governance. Policy Sciences, 47(3), 187-207.
Johansson‐Sköldberg, U., Woodilla, J., & Çetinkaya, M. (2013). Design thinking: past, present
and possible futures. Creativity and Innovation Management, 22(2), 121-146.
Kolko, J. (2015). Design thinking comes of age. Harvard Business Review, 93(9), 66-71.
Lammi, M., & Becker, K. (2013). Engineering design thinking.
Melles, G., Howard, Z., & Thompson-Whiteside, S. (2012). Teaching design thinking:
Expanding horizons in design education. Procedia-Social and Behavioral Sciences, 31,
162-166.
Mootee, I. (2013). Design thinking for strategic innovation: What they can't teach you at
business or design school. John Wiley & Sons.

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Noweski, C., Scheer, A., Büttner, N., von Thienen, J., Erdmann, J., & Meinel, C. (2012).
Towards a paradigm shift in education practice: Developing twenty-first century skills
with design thinking. In Design thinking research (pp. 71-94). Springer Berlin
Heidelberg.
Plattner, H., Meinel, C., & Leifer, L. (2012). Design thinking research. Springer.
Plattner, H., Meinel, C., & Leifer, L. (Eds.). (2014). Design Thinking Research: Building
Innovators. Springer.
Pourdehnad, J., Wexler, E. R., & Wilson, D. V. (2012). Systems & design thinking: A
conceptual framework for their integration. Проблемы управления в социальных
системах, 4(6).
Purdy, J. P. (2014). What can design thinking offer writing studies?. College composition and
communication, 65(4), 612.
Razzouk, R., & Shute, V. (2012). What is design thinking and why is it important?. Review of
Educational Research, 82(3), 330-348.
Vianna, M. (2012). Design Thinking: inovação em negócios. Design Thinking.
Viswanathan, V. K., & Linsey, J. S. (2012). Physical models and design thinking: A study of
functionality, novelty and variety of ideas. Journal of Mechanical Design, 134(9),
091004.