Imagine you are trying to build a lunchbox that keeps food warm but is also easy for a small child to open. Do you start by drawing pretty pictures? Or do you start by talking to children to see what they struggle with? This second way of thinking—starting with people and their problems—is what we call Design Thinking.
In our Bachelor of Design (B.Des) program, Design Thinking is not just a subject. It is the heart of everything we do. It is a special way of solving problems that helps students create things that truly make life better.
What is Design Thinking?
Design Thinking is a simple “human-centered” way to solve tricky problems. Instead of guessing what people want, designers spend time understanding people’s feelings and needs.
It is like being a detective. You look for clues about why something isn’t working, and then you use your creativity to build a solution. It’s not just about making things look “cool.” It’s about making them work perfectly for the person using them.
Why Design Thinking is Important for Design Students
In today’s world, we have many big challenges, like reducing plastic waste or making apps easier for elderly people to use. Standard “school-style” answers don’t always work for these.
Design students need a toolkit to handle these “messy” problems. Design Thinking gives them that toolkit. It teaches them to
The Key Stages of Design Thinking
We teach students to follow five simple steps. They don’t always happen in a straight line, but they are all very important:
How Design Thinking Helps Students Solve Real Problems
In a B.Des program, students don’t just sit in a classroom. They go out into the real world. If they are designing a new chair for a school, they will sit in old chairs for hours to see where their back hurts.
Design Thinking helps them realize that the first idea is rarely the best one. By building and testing, they find the “hidden” problems that others might miss. This leads to inventions that actually solve real-life issues.
Skills Students Learn Through Design Thinking
By practicing this method every day, students develop “superpowers” that stay with them forever:
How Design Thinking Shapes Better Product Designers
A great product designer isn’t just someone who knows how to use a computer. They are someone who understands how people think.
Design Thinking teaches our B.Des students to be curious. It makes them ask “Why?” a hundred times. This mindset ensures that when they graduate and start designing real products—like medical tools, cars, or websites—those products will be safe, useful, and easy for everyone to use.
Real-Life Examples of Design Thinking in Student Projects
Students often work on exciting projects that show Design Thinking in action:
The “Easy-Hold” Tool
A student noticed that grandmothers with sore hands struggled to use garden tools. They prototyped a new handle shape that was much softer and easier to grip.
The Helpful App
Another student created a mobile app for farmers. They didn’t just guess what farmers needed; they went to the fields to see how sun glare and muddy hands affected how a phone is used.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
It is a step-by-step method we teach students to solve problems by focusing on what people really need.
No! Even doctors, business owners, and teachers use it. But in a design program, it is the main tool we use for every project.
Right from the first year! It is part of the foundation of becoming a great designer.
Yes. Companies today love hiring people who know how to solve problems and understand customers.
Definitely. It is very simple once you realize it’s mostly about listening and being creative.
Design Thinking is much more than a process; it is a way of seeing the world. It turns our B.Des students into thinkers who don’t just see problems, but see opportunities to help people. By putting humans at the center of design, we make sure our graduates are ready to create a better, more thoughtful future.
If you are curious about how you can use your creativity to solve real-world problems, we would love to have you join our community. At Indus Design School, we guide you through every step of this exciting journey, from your first sketch to your final prototype. Come and see how our hands-on approach can turn your ideas into reality. To learn more about our program and how to apply, please visit https://indusdesignschool.com/
