An Introduction to Design Thinking

Have you ever wondered how the world's best innovators come up with ideas, approach problems and refine their solutions?  The design thinking process helps designers to empathize with their client, identify challenges, redefine problems and create innovative solutions.  In this one hour introduction to design thinking, students will learn about the five steps of the process (Empathize, Define, Ideate, Prototype and Test) and have a chance to practice them in a fun, hands-on way.  

After we discuss what is involved in each of the five steps of the method, each student will have the chance to interview a partner and design something for them, as well as have the chance to be the client for another student.
When students have completed their interviews and their brainstorming package, we will meet back as a whole class to show each other what we came up with.  

This class will be very interactive and hands-on for students and in addition to working on their skills of design, students will be coached in their one-on-one and group communication skills.