| 1. What is design thinking? Design thinking is solving problems for a particular group of people that can help make things easier for them. It focuses on what is needed to help those that struggle day to day with daily task by creating ideas around the problem that can be used. This method is looking outside of what you see and observing and creating prototypes of ideas that can manipulate and emphasize with the group in the study. Design thinking is a combination of art and technology that provides five steps to creating a solution which are understand, ideate, selection, prototyping and validate. 2. How has design thinking influenced a product I use? Design thinking influences are around us daily that we have not taken time to notice. Some are obvious and some are thought to be an essential need but were once created by the design thinkers. One Product that I use is the new blow dryer comb brush. It is a blow dryer that is shaped that a brush and easier and faster to use for all genders and ages with hair. Before this there was the blow dryer shaped odd and uncomfortable and caused heat damage. This new blow dryer actually only needs to be ran through the hair once per layer and helps avoid having to use the flat iron. |
| 3. What are the connections between opportunities and planning? The connections between opportunities and planning is understanding what is needed not just in one particular group but across the spectrum and emphasizing on the need/sale. It is important to analyze the market and make sure the product is sellable. The planning comes with this because it is a way to create creativity and observation. This has to be organized and essential with becoming part of the audience and interacting which helps with the planning on who will benefit which is selection and ideate to be able to provide a successful product. 4. What opportunities have I missed? I have missed many opportunities within my lifetime but the older I get I realized the spectrum of my imagination is not where it used to be. The simplest ideas I had as a child are now being used by a particular group of people. There were no motorized wheelchairs and now they sell them for elderly to make getting around easier. There was no key finder and now everyone can buy one online and find their keys. Other opportunities are when I’m in a waiting room at the nursing home speaking with them to see what they see is needed and they don’t have and solving a problem without brainstorming ideas. |
| 5. Can a successful venture be unethical? Yes, I believe the unethical route can lead to also being unsuccessful in the long run when there are a lot of complaints and review of the venture. The bigger the business the harder it is to know whether the venture is truly unethical or are the particular clients/users just unhappy with what they get. For those that don’t look deeper into the product and are unhappy may have felt lied to and this is unethical business practice but is also legal. |