Design Thinking – The road-trip of a lifetime.
Posted on | September 20, 2012
A couple of years ago I visited the Eames’ ‘case study house’ and thought I had entered design nirvana.
…Well, it did have a great swing:
Next week I’m heading back to California, this time on a journey into the home of ‘design thinking’
Check out the highlights of the schedule…
I’m heading there with 25 CEOs of Kiwi export companies in the Government-backed Better By Design programme.
Along with a dozen others, I’m playing the role of ‘design integration coach’, helping promising NZ companies to integrate design into their business.
The principles behind the programme borrow a lot from the ‘design thinking’ school of thought popularised by IDEO, and more recently Stanford D.School. Both of which we’ll be visiting.
I’ve always been dubious of ‘design with a capital D’…
In fact, I tweeted not long ago:
“Is design thinking to design what cookbooks are to celebrity chefs?”
I’d love design thinking to be more than just a tarted-up version of taking a user-centred approach to design, beginning with end user insights.
This trip will either fully convert me, or leave me wondering whether it’s another wardrobe for the emperor.
I’ll let you know how it goes…
8 Comments
Comments
8 Responses to “Design Thinking – The road-trip of a lifetime.”
Leave a Reply
September 20th, 2012 @ 5:23 pm
Ok, I am crazy-jealous! Have a super awesome trip, would love to hear all about it when you’re next in Wellington.
September 20th, 2012 @ 7:41 pm
Have a great time and be sure to update me when you get back…over a beer sounds good!
September 20th, 2012 @ 7:49 pm
Thanks Blake, yes, let’s do that! always a pleasure to swap stories with you.
September 24th, 2012 @ 7:39 pm
Your Australian cousins are very envious of the Better By Design programme. We expect to hear all about it. Enjoy!
September 26th, 2012 @ 8:32 pm
You’re a lucky man. After you’ve done all that you’ll be able to write your first book (if you haven’t already)
October 9th, 2012 @ 12:34 pm
That’s amazing. What a fantastic idea. I’d love to know which companies the CEOs were from. What this space in the NZ, eh.
October 9th, 2012 @ 2:17 pm
Yep, a brilliant initiative. This was a motivated bunch from a spread of industries, biased towards food and beverage sector.
October 11th, 2012 @ 4:25 am
So envious Nick. I’m sure you’ll be an excellent ambassador and look forward to hearing details. Think of me if you need any help.