Design Thinking Question Paper

Total Marks: 50

Instructions:

Answer all questions.

Short answer questions carry 2.5 marks each.

Long answer questions carry 10 marks each.

All answers must be concise and to the point.

Short Answer Questions (2.5 marks each)

1) Briefly explain the significance of design thinking in today's world.

2) Describe the five stages of the design thinking process.

3) What are the different types of human needs according to Maslow's hierarchy?

4) Give examples of cognitive biases and how they can impact design decisions.

5) What is the purpose of stakeholder mapping in the design thinking process?

Short questions (5 marks each)

1) Redesign a frustrating bus stop! Choose two annoying aspects and fix them using design thinking. Add
cool features to make the wait delightful. Be specific!

2) Use the 5 stages of design thinking (Empathize, Define, Ideate, Prototype, Test) to solve an everyday
problem you face. Be specific about understanding the problem and involving users at each stage.
Long Answer Questions (10 marks each)

1) Explain the importance of empathy in finding creative solutions through design thinking. Discuss the
role of observation and empathetic interviews in building empathy with users.

2) Describe the different models of framing maps used in design thinking. How can customer journey
maps and personas be used to effectively define a problem?

3) Discuss the concept of the double diamond model in ideation. Explain the importance of mind
mapping and knowledge funnels in generating innovative ideas.

DESIGN THINKING.

Q1)A) Briefly explain the significance of design thinking in today's world.

Design thinking is crucial in today's world as it provides a human-centric approach to problem-solving.

By emphasizing empathy, ideation, prototyping, and testing, design thinking fosters innovative solutions
that meet users' needs effectively. In our rapidly changing and complex world, this methodology helps
organizations adapt, iterate, and create user-friendly products and experiences, ultimately driving
success in the competitive landscape.

B) Describe the five stages of the design thinking process.

1. Empathize: Understand the user's perspective and needs through observation and interaction.

2. Define: Clearly articulate the problem or challenge based on insights gathered during the
empathize stage.

3. Ideate: Generate a wide range of creative solutions without judgment, encouraging diverse
thinking.

4. Prototype: Develop tangible representations of ideas to quickly and cheaply test concepts and
gather feedback.

5. Test: Evaluate prototypes with users, gather feedback, and iterate on the design to refine and
improve the solution.

C) What are the different types of human needs according to Maslow's hierarchy?

1. Physiological Needs: Basic necessities for survival, such as food, water, air, and shelter.
 2. Safety Needs: The need for a secure and stable environment, including personal safety, financial
security, and health.

3. Love and Belongingness Needs: The desire for social connections, relationships, and a sense of
belonging in family, friendships, and communities.

4. Esteem Needs: The need for self-esteem, confidence, and recognition, both from oneself and
others.

5. Self-Actualization Needs: The highest level, representing the fulfillment of personal potential,
creativity, and the pursuit of meaningful goals.

D) Give examples of cognitive biases and how they can impact design decisions.

Cognitive biases are like little brain shortcuts that make us see things in a certain way, even if it's not
entirely accurate. They're the quirks in our thinking that can lead us to make decisions based on feelings
or quick judgments rather than a careful analysis of the facts. It's like having sneaky mind habits that can
sometimes trick us into seeing things the way we want to see them, rather than how they really are.

1. Enhance Empathy: Recognizing biases allows designers to empathize better with users,
understanding their perspectives without letting preconceived notions cloud their judgment.

2. Improve Ideation: By acknowledging biases, designers can foster a more diverse and creative
ideation process, avoiding the trap of sticking to familiar or conventional solutions.

3. Facilitate Objective Decision-Making: Awareness of biases enables designers to make more

objective decisions during the various stages of the design process, ensuring that choices are
based on a comprehensive understanding of the problem.

4. Iterate Effectively: Cognitive biases can influence how designers interpret feedback. Being
mindful of biases helps in receiving feedback openly, leading to more effective iterations and
improvements.

E) What is the purpose of stakeholder mapping in the design thinking process?

1. Clarifying Relationships: Stakeholder mapping provides a visual representation of relationships

between various stakeholders, helping design teams understand who they need to engage with
and how.

2. Prioritizing Engagement: By categorizing stakeholders based on their level of influence or

interest, teams can prioritize their efforts in engaging with those who have the most significant
impact on the project.

3. Mitigating Risks: Understanding stakeholder perspectives and potential concerns allows

designers to proactively address issues and mitigate risks, enhancing the chances of project
success.

4. Fostering Collaboration: Stakeholder mapping promotes collaboration by highlighting areas of

common interest and potential conflicts, facilitating better communication and alignment of
goals.
Q2)A) Redesign a frustrating bus stop! Choose two annoying aspects and fix them using design thinking.
Add cool features to make the wait delightful. Be specific!

1. Problem: Lack of Information

Design Thinking Solution: Integrate Interactive Information Kiosks

Replace the traditional bus stop sign with an interactive information kiosk. Users can easily input their
destination, and the kiosk provides real-time bus arrival information, routes, and any service alerts. This
addresses the frustration of uncertainty and empowers users with accurate and timely information.

2. Problem: Uncomfortable Seating

Design Thinking Solution: Ergonomic and Solar-Powered Seating

Redesign the seating area with comfortable, ergonomic benches equipped with solar-powered USB
charging ports. The seats can be arranged to provide shelter from sun and rain. This not only addresses
the discomfort issue but also enhances the bus stop's functionality by incorporating sustainable
features.

Cool Features:

1. Green Wall: Install a vertical garden or green wall to improve air quality and create a visually
appealing environment, making the wait more enjoyable.

2. Digital Art Display: Integrate a digital art display showcasing local artwork or community
announcements, turning the bus stop into a dynamic and engaging space.

3. Smart Waste Bins: Implement sensor-equipped waste bins with separate compartments for
recycling, encouraging environmental responsibility.

4. Wi-Fi Hotspot: Provide free Wi-Fi connectivity for waiting passengers, enhancing the overall
experience and productivity while waiting for the bus.

5. Community Bulletin Board: Install a community bulletin board for local events, services, and
announcements, fostering a sense of community engagement.

B) Use the 5 stages of design thinking (Empathize, Define, Ideate, Prototype, Test) to solve an everyday
problem you face. Be specific about understanding the problem and involving users at each stage.

Everyday Problem: Difficulty in Finding Lost Items at Home

1. Empathize:

 Understand the frustration of users (myself and others) when items are misplaced at home.

2. Define:

 Define the problem: Difficulty in locating misplaced items in a timely manner.

3. Ideate:

 Brainstorm potential solutions with users involved in a collaborative ideation session.

4. Prototype:

 Develop a low-fidelity prototype of a smart item tracker that uses Bluetooth technology to
connect with a mobile app.

5. Test:

 Collect feedback on the accuracy of item tracking,

 Iterate on the design based on user feedback and address any identified issues.

Cool Features:

1. Augmented Reality (AR): The app uses AR to guide users to the exact ___location of the lost item.

2. Voice Activation: Users can use voice commands to locate items, making it hands-free and
convenient.

3. Customizable Alerts: Users can set personalized notifications for frequently misplaced items.

Q3) Explain the importance of empathy in finding creative solutions through design thinking. Discuss the
role of observation and empathetic interviews in building empathy with users.

1. User-Centered Design: Empathy ensures that the design process is centered around the needs,
preferences, and pain points of the users. This leads to solutions that resonate with users on a
deeper level.

2. Enhanced Problem Definition: Empathizing with users helps in defining the problem accurately
by considering not just the functional aspects but also the emotional and psychological aspects
of their experiences.

3. Innovative Insights: Empathy allows designers to gain insights into the users' lives, uncovering
latent needs and desires that may not be apparent through traditional data or surveys.

4. Increased User Adoption: Solutions born out of empathy are more likely to be embraced by
users as they align with their values, preferences, and aspirations.

Role of Observation and Empathetic Interviews in Building Empathy (6 Marks):

1. Observation:

 Non-Verbal Cues: Observing users in their natural environment helps in capturing non-
verbal cues, such as body language and facial expressions, providing valuable insights
into their emotional states.

 Contextual Understanding: Observing how users interact with their environment and
products unveils contextual factors that influence their behaviors and needs.

2. Empathetic Interviews:

 Open-Ended Questions: Conducting interviews with an empathetic approach involves

asking open-ended questions that encourage users to express their thoughts, feelings,
and experiences freely.
  Active Listening: Actively listening to users without judgment fosters a deeper
understanding of their perspectives and allows designers to uncover hidden pain points.

3. Synthesis of Insights:

 Pattern Recognition: Combining observations and interview insights helps in recognizing

patterns and themes, providing a holistic understanding of user needs and challenges.

 Persona Development: Empathy-driven data synthesis contributes to the creation of

user personas, representing archetypal users and guiding the design process with a
human-centered focus.

Q4) Describe the different models of framing maps used in design thinking. How can customer journey
maps and personas be used to effectively define a problem?

1. Empathy Map:(8 MARKS)

 Purpose: Focuses on understanding the user's feelings, thoughts, actions, and

motivations.

 Application: Provides a visual representation of the user's perspective, aiding in

empathetic understanding.

2. Journey Map:

 Purpose: Illustrates the user's end-to-end experience, including touchpoints and

emotions, throughout a process or interaction.

 Application: Identifies areas for improvement and innovation by highlighting key

moments in the user's experience.

3. Experience Map:

 Purpose: Explores a broader range of interactions and touchpoints, not limited to a

specific process or journey.

 Application: Provides a comprehensive overview of the user's experiences, helping

designers identify opportunities for enhancement.

4. Service Blueprint:

 Purpose: Maps the end-to-end service delivery process, including both customer-facing
and backend processes.

 Application: Highlights service interactions, supporting the identification of pain points

and areas for improvement.

Using Customer Journey Maps and Personas to Define a Problem (2 Marks):

1. Customer Journey Maps:

 Identifying Pain Points: Customer journey maps help in pinpointing specific pain points
and areas where users may encounter difficulties or frustrations.
 2. Personas:

 Creating Empathy: Personas represent archetypal users with specific needs, goals, and
behaviors. Designers can empathize with these personas to understand the diverse
perspectives of potential users.

Q5) Discuss the concept of the double diamond model in ideation. Explain the importance of mind
mapping and knowledge funnels in generating innovative ideas.

The Double Diamond model is a design thinking framework that emphasizes a structured approach to
problem-solving and ideation. It consists of four phases:(4MARKS)

1. Discover: Understanding and defining the problem by researching, empathizing with users, and
gaining insights into the challenge at hand.

2. Define: Analyzing the gathered information to define and articulate the problem clearly. This
involves synthesizing insights, identifying patterns, and framing the problem statement.

3. Develop: Generating a wide range of potential solutions through creative thinking and ideation.
This phase involves brainstorming, exploring possibilities, and divergent thinking to generate
innovative ideas.

4. Deliver: Refining and prototyping the selected ideas, testing them with users, and implementing
the final solution.

The double diamond model highlights the iterative nature of the design process, emphasizing both
divergence and convergence at different stages.

Importance of Mind Mapping in Ideation (3 Marks):

1. Visualizing Connections: Mind mapping allows for the visualization of connections and
relationships between various ideas, concepts, and information. It helps in seeing the big picture
and understanding how different elements are interlinked.

2. Stimulating Creativity: Mind mapping encourages nonlinear thinking and creativity by providing
a flexible and non-restrictive format. It allows ideators to explore tangential ideas and
connections that might not be immediately apparent.

3. Organizing Thoughts: Mind maps serve as a tool for organizing thoughts and structuring
information. They provide a clear and hierarchical representation of ideas, making it easier to
identify key concepts and prioritize them.

Importance of Knowledge Funnels in Ideation (3 Marks):

1. Focus on Relevant Information: Knowledge funnels help in narrowing down information to the
most relevant and essential elements. This ensures that ideators focus on key insights and avoid
being overwhelmed by excessive data.

2. Guiding Ideation Process: By channeling knowledge into a funnel, the ideation process becomes
more guided and purposeful. It helps in aligning creative thinking with the specific problem or
challenge at hand.
3. Efficient Decision-Making: Knowledge funnels support more efficient decision-making during
the ideation process. They enable ideators to filter out irrelevant or less impactful ideas,
allowing for a more streamlined and effective decision-making process.