Journal of Design Thinking
Volume:4 Issue: 2, Summer and Autumn 2023

The current frantic changes in the technological and social scope require that skills such as creativity has beenresearched, since it acquires great importance in a context in which the market differentiation will depend oncreative minds. Thus, this research aimed to analyze the creativity as a design and innovation tool, seeking to maximizeits use through a creative framework to understand, script and evaluate the creative process, enhancing new ideas andstimulating creativity in different companies. Understanding the important role that creativity plays in business models,promoting innovative decisions in a competitive market. A descriptive scientific methodological process was performedthrough a bibliographic research. After that, a creative framework was developed and carried out with 48 differentstartups, in order to test and analyze the developed framework, allowing suggestions to improve future updates of theframework. Finally, the results point out how the Creative Framework, as a systemic process, is important to generatenew and significant ideas. In this sense, the Creative Framework collaborates both with the design process by a ideationphase script and boosting different business models, delivering possible operational improvements and new approachsfor the evolution of products and/or services addressed in startup’s projects.

The The real world is characterized by deep similarity and interdependence with ill-defined problems, observablein different contexts. Every day, thousands of ill-defined problems are analyzed by people in various sciences, andamong the solutions, one is chosen for implementation. Addressing such questions requires a unique ability, and thisfeature creates a distinction between professionals and beginners in the relevant field. Therefore, the ability to identifysuch problems is very important, because solving these problems with a limited vision may lead to an inadequate andincomplete solution, which sometimes leads to irreparable consequences in various fields. For this purpose, educationaldesign models were examined in this research. This study was conducted according to the characteristics of the designproblem, with the aim of choosing a suitable model to address and solve ill-defined problems in different areas of the realworld.

In product service systems (PSS) design and with sustainable development needs, conflicts usually emerge due toa major reason of requiring high-lever component functions, which could simultaneously add complexity to asystem. However, there is no research found that provides a well-structured methodology for eliminating identifiedcontradictions in PSS design. To narrow this gap, this study proposes a systematic PSS design approach based on theTRIZ methodology for generating systematic solutions. A research-based design case enacted the proposed method toshow its feasibility. In this context, a design team was formed for the PPS system design regarding online/offline shoppingservice systems with fresh flower products based on marketing needs, such as customers, the flower industry, and the ecommerce environment. The results demonstrated that the proposed approach is feasible and effective in innovationservice, with the case study, while aiding the design team in creating PSS products and services. The identifiedcontradictions were tackled in the design process, which generated intensive resolutions for the PPS systems. Finally, thestudy discussed the features of the PSS design compared with the previous study regarding another PSS model of sharingbikes, and summarized the facilitations with various techniques, e.g., a service blueprint for the online/offline shoppingjourney.

Attention to human-centered features in architectural design to create levels of physical, functional andpsychological comfort, in line with attention to environmental and energy consumption management approaches,is nowadays considered an important and growing movement towards the definition of sustainable architecture. Thermalcomfort is a significant subset of this attention which can be examined in two physiological and psychological aspectsand is defined as "the condition of mind that expresses satisfaction with the thermal environment". With the assumptionthat "people are not inactive in environmental conditions", this study seeks to evaluate the qualitative human-centeredfactors affecting thermal perception by examining the possibility of redefining the upper and lower limits of thermalcomfort temperature in the environmental conditions of open spaces with the aim of improving the global standardtemperature and minimizing and managing energy consumption. It is based on library studies and field observationswhose data were collected using a questionnaire from the visitors to Naqsh-e Jahan Square in Isfahan in the cold seasonand appropriate solutions were presented after the results had been analyzed using SPSS 26. Results indicated that thearchitectural response to thermal comfort is influenced by qualitative and human-centered approaches, and adaptationand alliesthesia play a significant role in defining the acceptable human thermal environment and comfort temperature,which does not necessarily conform to the Design limits set by global standards and where calculations are not merelyquantitative and can be redefined depending on qualitative characteristics in Line with sustainable Design thinking

Iranian animal-shaped pottery vessels dating back to about 1500 B.C. are good examples of emotional design in ancient Iran. These objects were functional vessels made inspired by different animals in real or abstract shapes. This research aims to evaluate the users’ emotional response to these vessels using the Kansei engineering approach. Understanding these emotional responses is significant as it helps in designing products inspired by these ancient objects that resonate better with users' emotional and psychological needs. With the cross-sectional and descriptive methodology, five animal-shaped vessels belonging to different historical periods and discovered from different places were selected. By choosing 15 kansei emotion words a questionnaire using the 5-point semantic differential method set, and participants were asked to answer a similar questionnaire for each vessel. The images of five objects were provided to all the participants and they had to answer the five questionnaires by looking at them. The number of participants was 51, ranging from 15 to 50 years old. For data analysis, the factor analysis method was used for clustering the Kansei words, and then ANOVA analysis was applied. Based on the analysis, the result shows that the attractiveness of animal-shaped vessels for participants depends on the form, indicating a preference for familiar forms derived from nature that are similar to mental images. Functionality is also an important aspect of this type of design. For designers, understanding these emotional responses can significantly enhance the design process, leading to products that better meet users' emotional and psychological needs.

The fashion industry is one of the world's most polluting sectors, disposing of 92 million tons of textile waste annually, through landfilling or incineration. This research aims to address this issue by proposing a design with a circular approach to reduce clothing waste. The main question is how to increase the lifespan of clothing. Employing a combination of library and field research methods, it was found: 1) Slowing down the product life-cycle is a key strategy for reducing waste. 2) A significant amount of clothing is still usable when discarded. 3) Iran lacks a systematic and reliable solution for safe clothing disposal. 4) The youth are willing to exchange clothing with each other, due to a cultural shift. As a state-of-the-art contribution, a conceptual model was developed to address the research question and design solutions. Subsequently, a mobile phone application was presented to help people take better care of their clothing and facilitate swapping. To explore the application's profitability, a business model was also proposed.

Sketching is a fundamental design skill essential across various design disciplines. This study aims to develop acomprehensive model describing sketching activities throughout the design process, addressing the lack of unifiedframeworks in this area. Through a systematic review of existing sketch taxonomies, a generic classification frameworkwas developed and integrated with the Uncertainty Driven Action (UDA) model. The resulting integrated modelincorporates four main parameters: cognitive approach, intention, function, and complexity. It provides a structuredapproach to analyzing sketching behaviors across four design stages: investigation, exploration, explanation, andpersuasion. Proof of concept, including prototype testing and scenario analysis, preliminarily demonstrated the model’sfeasibility, integrity, and accuracy in describing sketching activities. The proposed model bridges the gap between staticsketch taxonomies and dynamic design process models, offering a theoretical foundation for understanding the role ofsketches in design thinking and problem-solving. It has potential applications in design education, research, and tooldevelopment across various design fields, including product, service, and interaction design. This interdisciplinaryapproach contributes to a deeper understanding of design cognition and representation, potentially enhancing designteaching and practice. Future research directions include empirical validation, exploration of collaborative aspects, andintegration with digital design tools.

Gembirafood relies on a paper-based monitoring system, leading to potential inefficiencies, errors, andchallenges for users. This research employs a design thinking approach to identify pain points, understand userneeds, and propose user-centric solutions to improve the monitoring system’s effectiveness and user experience. Thisresearch employed the initial three stages of the design thinking process: empathize, define, and ideate. Empathizeinvolved understanding user needs through interviews and observations. The define stage focused on problemidentification and prioritization based on gathered insights. Finally, the ideate stage generated potential solutions toaddress the identified challenges. Key challenges identified include complex and cumbersome forms, language barriers,lack of standardization, and limited data accessibility. Users desire a simplified, user-friendly system with improved dataaccuracy, faster processing, and enhanced traceability. The research proposes implementing digital forms, languagelocalization, automated data entry, and centralized data repositories. User training materials and clear communicationare also emphasized. The proposed solutions could improve data accuracy, efficiency, user satisfaction, and food safetycompliance at Gembirafood. Future recommendations include pilot testing, considering technology feasibility, andadapting to evolving regulations. This design thinking project offers a framework for transforming Gembirafood’smonitoring system into a user-friendly, efficient, and impactful tool for ensuring food safety and operational excellence.

Comparing artifacts or products of civilizations to each other shows that how diverse historical nations made different decisions when confronted with the same challenges. This paper aims to investigate designers’ solutions for tackling similar problems in neighboring civilizations, Helmand (Shahr-i-Sokhta) and Indus valley (Mohenjo-Daro), in a Same Period of Time. Research methods have been developed through the study in two steps. initially, after studying all the discovered seals from two civilizations, based on research hypothesis, comparing factors were defined based on three main product design dimensions (functional, aesthetic, symbolic), and 4 seals of each civilization were selected. Afterward, the similarity of Shahr-i-Sokhta and Mohenjo-Daro’s seals was evaluated via a sample group, including 34 Iranian industrial designers, as participants with a DbA (Design-by-Analogy) questionnaire. The results show that in the considered period in both civilizations, the design focused on the form, aesthetic, and the symbolic aspects more than the engineering considerations.

This paper outlines an argument for changing the foundation of design thinking practices to include causal feedback loops instead of primarily predicting futures using linear causal relations. The paper suggests for most real-world design situations the traditional linear causal perspective is insufficient and leads to lower value design outcomes. The authors propose instead designers address real-world complex design situations via design methods that include feedback loops, which require different design methods and tools. The discussion in the paper follows the understanding of systems researchers. The authors provide an example of the significant differences in outcomes using a comparative case study of government strategies in Western Australia and New South Wales to address COVID-19 and its adverse consequences including crime. The design of Western Australia’s strategies took into account feedback loops between factors. In contrast, New South Wales government strategies followed a traditional design approach based on linear causal relations without feedback loops similar to that used for long-term resource planning in hospitals. The Western Australian outcomes were significantly better than those of New South Wales in terms of infections, deaths, hospital resource management, and across economic and social benefits and this can be tied to the differences in design approach. The authors contend that in most real-world complex design contexts it is necessary for designers to move away from traditional design thinking based on linear causal relations and instead assume that all design thinking requires consideration of, and prediction of outcomes by, feedback loops between design factors.

Industrial design has played an influential role in developing consumerist culture. Given the design’s potentialfor the growth of sustainable thinking, altering this direction is expected from design. Despite the increasingrecognition that mainstream design has unintended consequences, less attention is paid to consumer behavior as theunderlying cause of unsustainability, especially the impact of purchasing new products. By considering psychologyalongside design discipline, behavioral models provide a practical foundation to change behavior, and their use insustainable design is growing. Due to the narrow focus on purchasing, maintaining, and disposing of products, thisresearch aims to design a behavioral model in this area. In this regard, by studying literature in the field of psychology,behavioral components and ways to affect them were extracted, and known models for behavior change were reviewed.These findings were reanalyzed and utilized with sustainable design principles and evolutionary psychology to design amodel with design interventions to change consumption patterns. Designers can use this model to encourage sustainableconsumption. This is significant because the previous research only focused on reducing resource consumption andpromoting environmentally friendly behavior in their models.

Food safety is a significant health concern in developing countries like Malaysia, where night markets, also knownas “pasar malam”, are often linked to food-borne diseases. The practices and environment of these markets areoften associated with unhygienic practices by hawkers, contributing to these illnesses. This study aims to identify theexperiences, perspectives, and problem statements of six hawkers from two-night market sites in Hulu Langat, Selangor,Malaysia. Using the “Design Thinking” approach covering the initial stages namely “empathy”, “define” and“ideation”, the study identifies the goals and pains of each hawker, aiming to address holistically to increase theirlivelihoods and consumer’s quality of life. The development of a food warmer was chosen as the best solution, apreliminary outcome of this study, not just it addresses their goals and pains, it also ensures food safety which wouldreduce enforcement actions, lower the burden of authorities, and indirectly save resources. Consumers also would benefitfrom increased quality of life and safe, quality products from night markets. To strengthen the study’s outcome, moreresearch is needed, considering wider night market sites, increased respondents/subject matters, and a wider variety ofdishes. The next chapter of the research would emphasize the final stages incorporating the “prototype” and “testing”stages to develop physically the food warmer, including ensuring its functionality and obtaining feedbacks from theexisting users (hawkers) for further commercialization. A “user-centered design” (UCD) approach would be applied inthis final stage of the DT process.