week 7 : Design prototype

So design it subject is getting more and more better as we move forward.we had a vacation of 1 week in between.This vacation week helped me to revise all the things i studied for past weeks.This week helped me to understand and be able to carry out  Analysis of data derived from Design Thinking research,Assumption testing,Concept development,Rapid prototyping.Week 7 workshop was structured perfectly to cover these topics.
i studied how to analyse large amounts of qualitative data.

 of design thinking for which we had done some activities  in class which helped  me to understand deeply the relation of these topics with the design thinking.

i learned that assumption testing is  the process of organizing the large amount of rich data into meaningful category rather than reading all the text word by word.i also gained knowledge about 

• early rapid prototype
• later rapid prototype
• alternative later rapid prototype

 i also got to know about prototyping techniques which includes:

• Sketching
• Story boarding
• Paper prototyping
• Wire framing
• Physical prototyping
  
  We were shown a video about design thinking- Paper prototypes.I learned benefits and drawbacks of rapid prototyping.

  many activities were carried out in class which were really engaging.

Activity 1:
 This was a group activity.we were shown few pictures like ingredients for making a dessert ,so we need to choose and make at least three desserts.it looked simple but we tried to work as professionals,so we  decided to use the mind mapping technique,a design thinking tool and using that we categorized the ingredients into similar categories.we have shown our work to tutor and he gave feedback about the work.

fig 1 :Activity 1

Activity 2 :

The next activity was on assumption testing.This was also a group activity. we have already developed a concept of dessert in previous activity it was to test the assumption if we can launch this dessert.

it was very challenging task as the customers have different taste preferences but we have considered VDSD test which we had learned just before this activity.

                                                                         

                                                                 fig 2 : activity 2

                 

Week 5 : Design Research 1

So moving on to week 5 of design it subject.we were asked to form groups for the 2nd assessment which is a group assessment.so i formed a group with some of the students in the class whom i didnt knew much before.it was good to meet get some new friends and know them better.

so in this week,i learned journey mapping which is Graphic representation of customer experience as they interact with the product or service-provider.i understood that journey mapping is an important part of design thinking and i will have to focus this well.we were given an activity where we have to create a journey map right from when i started to do masters abroad,till this stage.so professor asked us to do it alone and combine the ideas later.so in the last stage ,we combined the ideas and made a journey map.i was a bit confused due to various design process models.

so i understood that journey mapping is an important concept.This activity made me realise the past and the hardwork i did to come to australia to do my masters.we made certain changes to the final journey mapping we made in the group after hearing the feedback from the professor.he told us to add reactions to each and everystep.reactions includes how we felt at that particular step.This activity made me realise i need to improve my research skills.

next topic was value chain which describes the categories of activities within an organisation that when combined which create a product or service.i understood that each set of activities adds value,costs to the offering as perceived by customers.

i understood how to add value,how to use value chain.i learned about value network which comprises the set of inter-organisational links and relationships that are necessary to create a product or service.we were asked to chose a company and apply value chain analysis to that company as a part of assessement 2.

I learned mind mapping has been recognized by companies as an effective communication tool that improves brainstorming and collaboration sessions. By visualizing concepts and connections in , people can follow conversations better and contribute more during meetings

i came to know that X-mind is a useful tool to create mind mapping.The next topic of the discussion was Design-led Research.Research is defined as The systematic collection and interpretation of information with a clear purpose, to find things out.I also learned there were two research approaches which is qualitative and quantitative.

I realised that there are two types of data :Primary and Secondary.

Primary Data:

Collected SPECIFICALLY for the research project being undertaken.

Secondary Data:

Collected/developed for some other purpose but now used for the research project being undertaken.

Briefing for group assessment and presentation was also done in the class.The marking rubric was also clearly explained by the professor.

Week 4 : Design Problems

So I am entering into week 4 of design it.It has been an interesting subject so far.I am looking forward to the coming weeks.So in week 4,I learned about difference between problem solving and problem finding.So this picture was shown in class and professor asked us to say if this is a problem solving or problem finding.So many people had different opinions for this.Some people felt this as problem solving and some felt it as problem finding.For me, it felt as a problem finding.

fig 1:Problem solving or problem finding 

I understood that Design thinking  is actually an approach that can find problems rather than a just a problem solving methodology.

So we were involved in an Activity where we have to transform all the circles in a given paper to  something recognisable.we were given 2 minutes.I transformed the circles into emoticons,different geometric shapes,various small things,some alphabets etc.This activity was really interesting .I had no idea what I had to do when I was given a paper with 30 circles in it.after 2 minutes, I come up with many ideas which I didn't think about in the beginning.So this activity made me realise slowly slowly I am getting deeper into design thinking subject. The rest of lecture includes Brainstorming ideas and Fifty phrases that kill creativity.

fig 1:Activity 1

Next Activity was a group activity.we were asked to form small groups and  choose one item or multiple items) and come up with three  different but new/innovative ideas to improve/change the item, problem or activity.

we selected three items from the listed items that were ice cream cone, car side mirror issue and protecting newspaper while raining.

fig 2 : Activity 2

1.The suggestions with which we came up is double helical cone with a spoon attached to it so that  our hands won't get dirty and we can eat the whole  ice cream and if we use a double helical cone, ice cream won't go down easily and it will not get wasted

2.For car side mirror issue,as we don't have a wiper at the side mirror and while driving this may lead to a problem and so we suggested to introduce a  vacuum pipe at the mirror which can blow the air and moves the water  from side mirror and makes it visible.

3.news paper while raining gets wet in order to avoid this problem we came up with wrapping cover to cover it and store it properly and this can help it to be dry and safe.

 These were the ideas we came up with and we presented it.We compared our ideas with ideas from other groups and we modified our ideas accordingly.This activity reminds me of problem solving techniques I know and I used in my life.

The 3rd activity was also really engaging.we were shown different pictures  on the topic 'A day at the beach' and asked us to find out is there any problems which can be solved by design thinking.The problem I observed was people are carrying luggages by lifting it.Also leaving the possessions unattended is another problem. The possible solutions I came up with is that they should use suitcases which had wheels which is really a easy way to carry things.We can also use a tool to safely put our mobiles and belongings which can be digged on to sand and placed near our head when we rest.

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week 3 : Design Theory

In week 3,I learned about the design theory.There are multiple theories that help to explain the aspects of design thinking .which are divergent and convergent theory thinking,action research,philosophical world view,learning theory,logic of reasoning,co-creation.

The equation i learned  :    WHAT  +  HOW  =  desired VALUE

                                                             the ‘frame’

The difference between Logic of reasoning with/without design are elaborated with the help of a example.The problem situation was a druken violence and crime at a regional nightclub and street and we discussed this in groups.Many ideas were given by students.Discussion on Double loop & Triple loop learning evoke much interest in class.

Creative learning,Action research and creative learning spiral was explained by the professor and the class was really engaging.I found out a blog on design thinking moodle resources with lots of useful materials and personal experiences of design thinking.

fig 1 : Divergent and convergent thinking

fig 2 : creative learning spiral 

Further relevant theories like Ideation,Left-brain – right-brain, Decision making theories,  Task vs relationship conflicts, Creativity theories, Team working theories,Reflection in action were explained in class.What if managers thought more like designers was interesting and this was explained with the help of pictures.

Briefing of assessment 3 is also done in this week as it is related with the ongoing weekly blogging sessions.Professor gave an idea about reflective writing. A quote about reflection  which actually caught my attention was this  " Taking time to reflect back on the road we’ve taken to get here, and to appreciate every bump for the lessons they teach, can be incredibly helpful. Applying those lessons in ways that help us push forward, to progress in our goals, can be invaluable" What a beautiful way of defining reflection.

week 2 : Design process

In week 2,I learned about Design thinking.I learned the difference between design and business.I learned the design process which includes Empathize,define,ideate,prototype and test.If the design process is broken down in to design tools it includes what is,what if,what wows and what works.

De    design thinking broken down into design thinking tools include Journey mapping, value chain analysis,mind mapping,brainstorming,concept development,assumption testing,rapid prototyping,customer co-creation and learning launch.

     we saw a video about IDEO shopping cart project and it was really informative.I learned about Double diamond design thinking process which consists of discover,define,design,deliver.We were shown some innovation stories.it was really interesting.These innovation stories made me more attracted to design thinking subjects.So the resources provided in this unit are really quality stuff.

fig 1 :Double diamond model

We were given a rough idea about assignment 1 in which we are supposed to design a poster.tutor showed us some sample posters which were really good  so that we can design the posters according to the unit requirements.After seeing the sample posters i had an idea how  to design the posters for assessment 1.Reflecting on today's workshop makes me feel happy and excited.

fig 2 :Sample Poster

Week 1 : Design it

Hi everyone, i am too excited to start writing my first blog.Even though i use different social medias,i have never been to the world of blogging.I think blogging is one of the best thing about the 'Design it' subject.Professor gave an introduction about what 'Design it' subject is.He gave idea about this unit,assessment requirements,learning outcomes etc.He explained what all things are given in the moodle for the subject.Honestly, This was completely  a new experience for me with the “Design” module.The textbook used for this subject is 'Designing for growth' by Liedtka J. and Ogilivie .T

 I got an idea about how to be successful in this unit and how this unit is different from other units.It was presented in a slide.i was a bit nervous after reading this.Yea..but slowly i understood that this  unit is  going to be really interesting.i understood that this unit will push me out of my comfort zone.i learned what is entrepreneurship,small and medium-sized enterprises and the entrepreneurial process.Innovation and diffusion section was also new for me.Professor just gave us an introduction about blogging in this class.


We also had an activity where Professor asked to define 'design it' in a single  sentence and draw any picture related to 'design it' in the given paper.After that we talked about what all designs can be made from the picture.we exchanged the picture among friends and they shared their views.we also had discussions.I have realised there are difficulties for me in transforming my ideas and thoughts in to designs.I drew a 2 dimensional plan of a house.This activity was really engaging and informative.

fig 1 :Activity

fig 2:Model of innovation  process