1. What is design thinking?
Design thinking is a process that helps create innovative solutions. This process consists of five stages: empathize, define, ideate, prototype, and test. The design thinking methodology focuses on understanding a user, putting in the user’s shoes (empathizing) to uncover the problem, clearly defining the issue, generating ideas (ideating), and challenging assumptions. Design thinking is most helpful in tackling situations.
2. How has design thinking influenced a product I use?
One of the products that was made using design thinking is Project Bloks. I came across this product during my internship last Summer at Brooks Crossing Innovation Lab in Newport News. The design thinking approach positively influenced this product by delivering a unique and fun experience in helping kids learn how to code. Children have fun playing with this product while learning code basics.
3. What are the connections between opportunities and planning?
Opportunities are about identifying an unsatisfied need, and planning is about how an entrepreneur wants to satisfy the need. These two concepts are like a brother and his young brother. An entrepreneur identifies opportunities and threats first, and then planning comes into play. Opportunities identification and planning are crucial for the success of a business.
4. What opportunities have I missed?
Reflecting on my internship last summer again, I missed the opportunity of having a maker space like Brooks Crossing Lab when I was young. I grew up in a refugee camp in Tanzania and ignored, at that time, resources for making things. For example, I wanted to make a small drone but couldn’t because of the lack of resources. Luckily, I can make up for something I missed at a young age.
5. Can a successful venture be unethical?
An unethical venture can not be successful, assuming that good ethics equals successful business. The primary mission of a venture is to solve a real problem. An evil venture will profit to the detriment of its customers while providing an apparent solution. A venture that fails to fulfill its primary mission is a failure, not a success.