Beginners Guide to Design Thinking

Lucy Patterson & Tracy Sharp
  • 5.0 (2)
  • Entrepreneurship
  • Updated fortnightly

Welcome to A Beginner's Guide to Design Thinking, the perfect podcast for curious souls eager to harness the power of design thinking to level up their business and personal life. Join your hosts - Lucy Patterson and Tracy Sharp - two Northern lasses passionate about helping people like you disrupt the status quo. We’re here to boost your business performance while reigniting your zest for life. No "but we've always done it that way" excuses allowed! We'll guide you through the process of figuring out what you want, experimenting with how to get it, and embracing failure as a stepping stone to success. You’ll learn how to apply those lessons, tweak your approach, and keep evolving - all while keeping it fun, and scientifically backed. It might get a little messy - but not crayon-on-your-sweater messy! From our own experiences and expertise - failures included - we’ll make sure you never feel alone on this creative journey.  So let us hold your hand as you empower yourself with design thinking, getting closer to your goals without the frustration. Once you’ve finished listening, we have two small requests: If you enjoy the show, please leave us a review on your favorite podcast platform. (If not, shoot us an email and let us know how we can improve.)Reach out! Send us an email or connect via LinkedIn to share what actions you’ve taken from any of our episodes. We bloody love action-takers! 🙂

  1. The Long Game with Lucy Patterson (Trailer)

    Season 4, Episode 1 Trailer

    The Long Game with Lucy Patterson (Trailer)

    Join Lucy, one of the co-hosts of the award-winning podcast 'A Beginner's Guide to Design Thinking' as she introduces her new podcast 'The Long Game with Lucy Patterson'. A podcast for people noticing that the old systems feelincreasingly out of sync with the lives we’re actually living. Expanding on her work in design thinking, she explores conversations based on the growing longevity economy and the intricacies of being alive at a point where human beings are suddenly living much longer lives than many of our institutions were ever built for. This podcast is where Lucy and her guests process what this means from a design and cultural perspective. So join her for honest, intelligent conversations about identity, systems, culture, curiosity, and building lives and ideas that can actually last. We’re all living longer. So we all need to get better at playing the long game. Search 'The Long Game with Lucy Patterson' wherever you usually listen to your podcasts, then make sure you hit follow so you never miss an episode. Episode 1 drops Monday 1st June 2026!  You can also find Lucy on Substack where she writes about the same topic.

    2 min

  2. 14/12/2025

    3 years of design thinking - pause, reflect, celebrate!

    Here are the links to the bodies of work mentioned by the listeners who asked us questions this episode: Candor Dennis - The Event Playbook Coffee Chat Series Liz Atkin - Refreshing Comms Vaughan Broderick - Innovation Playbook In this reflective episode, Lucy and Tracy celebrate three years of their design thinking podcast, sharing personal growth stories, podcast successes, and lessons learned. They engage with listener questions, discuss the importance of empathy in design thinking, and explore the future of the discipline, particularly around longevity, education and leadership. The hosts also share humorous moments from their podcasting journey and reflect on the significance of external validation. As 2026 looms, Lucy looks forward to releasing her solo spin-off podcast 'Rebel by Design (Thinking)' and Tracy looks forward to starting a new role. They both express excitement for future projects and the continued evolution of design thinking within their chosen fields. Key takeaways: Listener numbers and retention rates have exceeded anything they could have hoped for since they started the podcast as a fun experiment 3 years ago. Resilience and adaptability are the key lessons they've learned whilst recording.Empathy is crucial in design thinking and product development.When adopted, design thinking principles can greatly benefit the education and longevity sectors, and aid with career progression.The importance of humour and fun in any journey.External validation is not the primary focus; the message is what matters. As we press pause on our recordings for now, we'd like to thank every single listener and supporter. We've been blown away by the reach, engagement and connections we've had the pleasure of making this past 3 years. Don't forget to tune into Lucy's solo spin-off 'Rebel by Design (Thinking) in the new year.

    52 min

  3. 14/11/2025

    Navigating Communication Styles for Better Outcomes from Design Thinking

    In this episode, Lucy and Tracy explore the critical role of communication in design thinking and collaboration. They discuss various communication styles, the impact of neurodiversity, and the importance of creating inclusive spaces for effective communication. The conversation emphasises the need for empathy, avoiding jargon, and fostering curiosity to enhance understanding. They also provide practical tips for facilitating brainstorming sessions and ensuring clarity in communication, ultimately highlighting that effective communication is essential for innovation and teamwork. key takeaways: Communication is often assumed to be easy until it isn't.There are four main communication styles: visual, verbal, written, and kinesthetic.Neurodiversity plays a significant role in how individuals communicate and process information.Creating safe spaces for questions enhances inclusivity in communication.Empathy is crucial in understanding different communication styles.Avoiding jargon can improve connection and clarity in communication.Curiosity should replace the word 'should' to foster innovation.Facilitators should set the tone for open communication by modeling vulnerability.Communication is not just about words; it's about making people feel heard. Chapters: 00:00 The Importance of Communication in Design Thinking 02:52 Understanding Communication Styles 05:41 Neurodiversity and Communication 08:46 Creating Inclusive Communication Spaces 11:25 The Role of Empathy in Communication 14:20 Overcoming Jargon and Assumptions 17:07 Facilitating Effective Brainstorming Sessions 20:00 Designing for Clarity and Connection 23:02 Communication Do's and Don'ts 25:44 Final Thoughts on Communication and Innovation

    29 min

  4. 13/10/2025 ·  Bonus

    The Design of Everyday Things & Designing Your Life - Tracy's Book Reviews

    In this episode, Tracy Sharp discusses two influential books in the realm of design thinking: 'The Design of Everyday Things' by Don Norman and 'Designing Your Life' by Dave Evans and Bill Burnett. Tracy emphasises the importance of understanding user behavior in design and how design thinking principles can be applied to career development. The conversation highlights the significance of prototyping, iterative processes, and being clear about personal values to enhance both product design and life design. Key Takeaways: Think about the last book that inspired you.The Design of Everyday Things focuses on user interaction.Design errors are often misattributed to user mistakes.Prototyping is crucial in the design process.Designing Your Life applies design thinking to career choices.Iterate on your career path rather than making drastic changes.Be intentional about trying new things in your career. Chapters: 00:00 Introduction to Design Thinking Books 05:09 The Design of Everyday Things by Don Norman 09:51 Designing Your Life by Bill Burnett and Dave Evans

    11 min

  5. 13/10/2025 ·  Bonus

    Tiny Experiments & The Fax Club Experiment - Lucy's Book Review mini-sode

    In this mini-episode, Lucy Patterson explores the themes of design thinking, creativity, and the importance of embracing the messy middle in life and business. She reviews two impactful books, 'Tiny Experiments' by Anne Laure Le Cunff, and 'The Fax Club Experiment', by David Hieatt & The 32; sharing insights on how small, iterative actions can lead to significant growth and understanding. The discussion emphasises the value of curiosity, reflection, and community in navigating life's challenges. Key takeaways: Life doesn't work in linear bullet points.Treat failure as data, not drama.The messy middle isn't where you're stuck, it's where you start.Slow can be better than fast.Tiny experiments felt like a field manual.The Fax Club Experiment is an invitation to the uncomfortable. Chapters: 00:00 Tsundoku and Book Obsession01:11 Design Thinking and the Messy Middle06:21 Embracing Curiosity Over Certainty10:29 The Power of Reflection

    12 min

  6. 14/09/2025

    The Essence of Innovation. (And Why Bigger Isn't Always Better in Design Thinking)

    In this episode Lucy and Tracy explore the multifaceted nature of innovation, emphasising the importance of iterative processes, understanding customer needs, and the role of design thinking in creating impactful solutions. They discuss concepts like painstorming and jobs to be done, highlighting how small changes can lead to significant value. The conversation also touches on the importance of inclusivity and delight in design, as well as the necessity of implementation for successful innovation. Chapters: 00:00 The Essence of Innovation 03:12 Understanding Innovation vs. Invention 06:05 The Concept of Painstorming 08:59 Jobs to Be Done: Adding Value 11:54 Iterative Innovation and Customer Focus 15:05 Design Thinking for Community and Sustainability 18:01 Questioning Assumptions in Innovation 21:31 Delight and Inclusivity in Design 24:22 Implementation: The Key to Successful Innovation 27:32 Learning from Past Innovations 30:21 The Future of Innovation.Key takeaways: Innovation is about small, iterative changes rather than grand inventions.Painstorming focuses on understanding user pain points to drive innovation.Jobs to be done is a framework for identifying customer needs and adding value.Inclusivity and delight are essential in design to enhance user experience.Implementation is crucial; ideas without execution are ineffective.The right ecosystem can support innovative ideas and ensure their success.Assumptions in innovation must be questioned to avoid failure.Design thinking should be accessible and free from jargon.Iterative innovation allows for rapid testing and feedback loops.Understanding customer jobs leads to more meaningful innovations.

    33 min

  7. 13/08/2025

    Embracing Vulnerability in the Creative Space

    In this episode Lucy Patterson and Tracy Sharp explore the theme of vulnerability and its critical role in design thinking and creative spaces. They share personal stories of vulnerability, discuss the gender dynamics surrounding it, and emphasise the importance of creating safe spaces for open communication. The conversation also highlights practical tools and techniques to encourage vulnerability in workshops; ultimately linking it to innovation and authenticity in both personal and professional contexts. Chapters: 00:00 The Power of Vulnerability in Design Thinking 02:57 Personal Stories of Vulnerability 06:02 The Impact of Vulnerability on Creativity 09:08 Gender Dynamics and Vulnerability 12:12 Creating Safe Spaces for Vulnerability 14:58 Tools for Encouraging Vulnerability in Workshops 18:01 The Role of Vulnerability in Innovation 21:28 Final Thoughts on Vulnerability and Design Thinking Key takeaways: Vulnerability is essential for creativity and innovation.Personal experiences of vulnerability can shape professional practices.Creating safe spaces is crucial for encouraging vulnerability.Gender dynamics influence how vulnerability is expressed and perceived.Vulnerability is not a weakness; it's a strength in design thinking.Authenticity fosters connection and trust in workshops.Facilitators should model vulnerability to encourage others.Workshops can serve as rehearsal spaces for real-life vulnerability.Tools like anonymous contributions can help ease the fear of sharing ideas.Vulnerability allows for messy honesty, which is more relatable than perfection.

    35 min

  8. 14/07/2025

    Beginner's Guide to Unlocking the Power of Curiosity in Design Thinking

    In this episode, Lucy and Tracy explore the transformative power of curiosity within the context of design thinking. They discuss the science behind curiosity, its role in personal and professional growth, and how it can be harnessed as a tool for innovation. The conversation delves into different types of curiosity, the importance of creating safe, bold spaces for exploration, and how curiosity can lead to meaningful life design. The hosts emphasise that while curiosity is essential, it must be paired with intention and clarity to drive effective outcomes. Soundbites: 'Curiosity isn't just a nice to have, it's built into our daily interactions like a cognitive superpower.' 'Curiosity lights up the reward circuitry of your brain like the billboards on Times Square.' 'You need to feed your curiosity.' Chapters: 00:00 The Power of Curiosity 01:27 Curiosity in Conversations 05:15 Curiosity and Brain Science 09:58 Curiosity vs. Chaos 10:48 Types of Curiosity 15:36 Making the Connection to Curiosity in Design Thinking 18:29 The Power of Curiosity in Understanding Others 19:46 Creating Safe Spaces for Exploration 23:33 The Robot, Pirate, Ninja Framework 28:28 Curiosity as a Life Design Tool 33:35 Curiosity as a Superpower for Growth 36:20 Practical Tips for Cultivating Curiosity 39:14 Next Episode - Design Thinking & VulnerabilityTopics: curiosity, design thinking, personal growth, professional development, creativity, problem solving, brain science, safe spaces, life design, innovation.

    39 min
See All (47)

Trailer

Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
2 Ratings

About

Welcome to A Beginner's Guide to Design Thinking, the perfect podcast for curious souls eager to harness the power of design thinking to level up their business and personal life. Join your hosts - Lucy Patterson and Tracy Sharp - two Northern lasses passionate about helping people like you disrupt the status quo. We’re here to boost your business performance while reigniting your zest for life. No "but we've always done it that way" excuses allowed! We'll guide you through the process of figuring out what you want, experimenting with how to get it, and embracing failure as a stepping stone to success. You’ll learn how to apply those lessons, tweak your approach, and keep evolving - all while keeping it fun, and scientifically backed. It might get a little messy - but not crayon-on-your-sweater messy! From our own experiences and expertise - failures included - we’ll make sure you never feel alone on this creative journey.  So let us hold your hand as you empower yourself with design thinking, getting closer to your goals without the frustration. Once you’ve finished listening, we have two small requests: If you enjoy the show, please leave us a review on your favorite podcast platform. (If not, shoot us an email and let us know how we can improve.)Reach out! Send us an email or connect via LinkedIn to share what actions you’ve taken from any of our episodes. We bloody love action-takers! 🙂

Information

  • Creator
    Lucy Patterson & Tracy Sharp
  • Years Active
    2023 - 2026
  • Episodes
    47
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Lucy Patterson & Tracy Sharp
  • Show Website
    Beginners Guide to Design Thinking