Does Design Thinking Mediate Critical Innovation Skills? An Interview Approach to Synthesize Five Competencies Taught at the D.School

DS 69: Proceedings of E&PDE 2011, the 13th International Conference on Engineering and Product Design Education, London, UK, 08.-09.09.2011

Year: 2011
Editor: Kovacevic, Ahmed, Ion, William, McMahon, Chris, Buck, Lyndon and Hogarth, Peter
Author: Jobst, Birgit; Endrejat, Paul; Meinel, Christoph
Series: E&PDE
Section: Pedagogy
Page(s): 199-204

Abstract

Through interviews with seventeen teachers of the d.schools in Potsdam and Standford about their curriculum, we were able to analyze the reoccurring statements of the five basic skills that are mediated via the Design Thinking Education in d.school. We are convinced that they are essential for problem solving and the development of innovations. These skills are open mindedness, human centeredness, T-shaping, dealing with ambiguity and Creative Confidence. The process is catalyzed through in-group cohesion and through between-group competitions. The results are summerized in a model.

Keywords: Design Thinking, critical innovation skills, Creative Confidence, Empathy, Ambiguity, Open mindedness, T-shaping, Motivation.

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