How to start Design Thinking

We asked Alex Brown, Product Innovation Expert at Samsung Design Europe, ‘How would someone start the Design Thinking process?’

I always think the best way to start is to have a go, pick a challenge, find a person at the heart of the experience you want to create for (what we often call the end consumer) and build empathy for them, it can help if you already know them as you know better their needs, wants and behaviours. But someone new is also great as you have no preconceptions.

Interview them if you can, or if it is someone you can’t speak to, (e.g. if it’s a hiring recruiter, or organising a surprise birthday party) ask someone to role-play as the person to help you to walk ‘in the shoes’ of the person you have in mind.

So with that in mind, in this final activity we will explore the first step of Design Thinking: ‘EMPATHISE’ a little further. If you’ve got an idea bubbling away but aren’t quite sure what to do next, this is the perfect place to start. If you’ve not got an idea yet, these next few steps might give you just the ignition you need.