The journey of innovation: between empathy and collaboration
What does Design Thinking mean to me? A method to achieve complex solutions in a simple way.
With this question we started our journey with the course of Design Thinking for Social Innovation. A journey to discover innovative practices based on a human-centred approach, with the aim of achieving innovations that can have a real impact on the environment and social.
During each lecture session, we had the opportunity to explore a wide range of topics, each sharing their own ideas and engaging in group work sessions. From research to visual thinking, through sketching to prototyping, we have had the opportunity to fully understand the process that leads to the birth of an innovative idea. It is a long and meticulous journey. One of the articles read during the course best encapsulates this concept in a single sentence “INNOVATION IS NOT A SPRINT, IS A MARATHON”. It’s crucial to understand that getting to innovation takes a long-term commitment.
There were two lessons that particularly intrigued me during the course. The first on visual thinking, a technique in which through drawing we put our ideas and thoughts on paper. Drawing often allows you to express yourself more effectively than words. It was interesting to see how each of us interpreted the inputs differently, unconsciously highlighting what we thought was important to represent.
The second lesson that fascinated me was the one about “thinking with our hands”, which involved the use of Lego bricks. During this session we had the opportunity to return a little children, building small representations initially individual and group. I think this approach has been extremely effective in promoting creativity and the ability to transform an abstract idea into something tangible, using simple pieces of colored plastic that, since childhood, have inspired and amused us.
The experience of the project with the Lisbon Project was interesting, it allowed us to get in touch with the migrant community of their association.
During this journey, we conducted extensive research on immigration in Portugal and had the opportunity to hear the personal stories of community members. Rafique’s simplicity and generosity played a key role in the project’s success.
Organizing the final event with him and other members of the association was a moment of great sharing. Each of us has brought home something more, enriching our knowledge and empathy. It was an experience that allowed me to understand the importance of inclusion and empathy.
In conclusion, the whole path has been for me a source of inspiration and growth, not only professional but also personal. The great commitment to have a constant collaborative approach, accompanied by a sense of empathy has allowed a serene working atmosphere, in which ideas were heard without prejudice, because let’s remember: NO IDEA IS STUPID.
