| What is design thinking? In module one part three there is a YouTube video titled “What Is Design Thinking?” and it was created and posted by Sean VanGenderen (VanGenderen, 2014). This video introduces design thinking as expected from the title (VanGenderen, 2014). Essentially, design thinking is the process of creating imaginative solutions for distinctive problems that arise amongst consumers using a specially designed process (VanGenderen, 2014). This definition came as no surprise because designs are often specifically made for a certain consumer. For example, numerous up-and-coming fashion brands specifically cater to someone’s unique needs. One specific fashion brand that comes to mind is this footwear company called Billy. They create shoes that are fully functional for those who wear foot braces. Interestingly, they accomplished this by making the footbed wider and adding a zipper that completely folds down the high-top shoe. I remember first seeing this product when I worked in a special needs room at an elementary school and was completely amazed at how this simple fix changed the lives of many. Reference: VanGenderen, S. (Director). (2014, April 4). What Is Design Thinking? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a7sEoEvT8l8 How has design thinking influenced a product I use? When first thinking of an answer to this question, my immediate reaction was “well doesn’t everything I use technically use design thinking?” This may be the case, but after some consideration one product I use really sparked my attention. My Waterpik (water flosser) has to be a product that was influenced by design thinking. Flossing is always one of those activities that most people (well most people I know) do not enjoy. This sort of became a problem because people get gum diseases if they do not floss. Then comes the Waterpik, which acts as an alternative to the problem of lack of flossing in dental hygiene. I always tell my dentist that it is a genius product, and I am happy someone thought of it because I can not stand regular flossing. Additionally, whether this was intentional or not, the product works wonderfully for those who wear braces because food no longer gets stuck under the brackets. It really solved a problem that was unique to consumers. |
| What are the connections between opportunities and planning? I truly feel that opportunities are directly correlated to planning and always will be. This is not implying that there are no opportunities that arise out of nowhere without actively looking (planning). Even the opportunities that are unexpected must come with some level of planning. Jobs are the one thing that comes to mind about unexpected opportunities and the planning portion of this event usually includes a lot. When will I leave my old job? Does this new job pay more or less? Will my benefits be as good? Will I have to move? If I move, will my family be able to leave their jobs or change schools? This is simply my understanding of the connection between opportunity without any knowledge about entrepreneurship. With entrepreneurship in mind, it is also clear that there has to be a connection between opportunities and planning. In one of the course modules, there is a video that outlines the design thinking framework by Dr. Landeata (Dr. Landeata, n.d.). This video outlines the process in steps and the steps are understand, ideate, selection, prototyping, and validation (Dr. Landeata, n.d.). Within the understand phase there simply needs to be an understanding of the problem at hand (Dr. Landeata, n.d.). The ideate and selection phase serves as the phases where the answer on how to fix an issue is addressed (Dr. Landeata, n.d.). The prototype and validation phase are phases that the solution starts being put to work (Dr. Landeata, n.d.). This whole process seems like a plan to me and since it is associated with design thinking it is certain to bring an opportunity to a young entrepreneur. Reference: Dr. Landeata. (n.d.). What is the Design Thinking Framework?: 202220_CPD494_30646 ENTREPRENEURSHIP-PROF STUDIES. Retrieved January 27, 2023, from https://canvas.odu.edu/courses/131858/pages/what-is-the-design-thinking-framework?module_item_id=4029266 What opportunities have I missed? Regretfully, there are plenty of opportunities that I have missed. These opportunities were often missed due to fear of failure, fear of not being good enough, or fear of not liking an opportunity. This has occurred at various stages in my life and continues to occur. However, there is one opportunity that comes in mind that I missed that is still fresh in my mind. There was this internship posting that would have been a fantastic opportunity and it happened to be on USAJOBS. For those unaware of USAJOBS, it is a government-associated website that posts jobs, internships, and other opportunities. It is quite overwhelming to those who are new to it and sometimes difficult to navigate. Well, I let that overwhelmed feeling take over and did not end up applying under the posting. Looking back, I regret this and wished I had just taken the leap. This is how entrepreneurship is. It is taking that leap and dreaming big despite doubts. |
| Can a successful venture be unethical? A successful venture can absolutely be unethical. One example that specifically comes to mind is a venture associated with beauty products. To my understanding, beauty products must undergo testing to ensure that their products do in fact work and that is expected. However, companies that use animals to evaluate products are considered highly unethical and I agree. Recently, there has been an uproar against a beauty line known as Laneige on social media because of this unethical practice. I see people boycotting the company and spreading awareness of their mistreatment of animals. This just shows that despite the usefulness of the products, ethics should play a key role and always be considered. |