New Approach to Design Thinking

The Designing Toward… class provided a very unique opportunity to use a design thinking approach to two very different facets- a prototype, which is standard in the d.school, but also a conversation. The ideation, hypothesizing, building, and learning phases were similar in the two, but it was a really special process to be building both a model and a way to talk about it simultaneously.

I’ve taken several d.school courses before and a common theme are the fast-paced nature of group projects and with the duality of constantly changing groups. This class, however, was different. We had one goal for the entire course and essentially one core team to tackle that with. This gave us the opportunity to truly get to know one another, build on each other's ideas, and truly flesh out one thorough prototype. Because of this thoughtful nature, my experience with the design process and ideation stages were completely different from anything I had experienced before. It was extremely thoughtful, thorough, meticulous, creative, and safe. In the past, there are large amounts of pressure to produce quickly and exactly. This quarter, we had time to make mistakes, ideate and learn, and produce a better prototype the second time.

I’m glad this class was different because our task was different. Instead of solving issues of transportation or consumer products, which are both extremely important in their own respects, we were tackling a much heavier burden- designing towards an anti-racist Stanford. If we would’ve been expected to design quickly and produce 10 prototypes at every stage, this class would have been superficial. Instead, it was diligent, careful, and in turn, impactful. We covered heavy material, shared vulnerable stories, and spoke openly about visions of a better 2050. We were not rushed, pressured, or competitive, which are not inherently bad characteristics of design but could not have been a part of our process if we wanted to be successful.

Designing Toward an AntiRacist Stanford and its approach to design thinking made me excited to be involved with the d.school, with this teaching staff, with my peers, and with Stanford. I’m optimistic to see everything that is accomplished when using such an extensive and intentional approach to design. I think a topic like this deserved nothing less and was met with passion and valiant effort from all actors involved with the class. I’m extremely appreciative of the work put into the course and the new approach to design thinking that I will take with me.