Beginners Guide to Design Thinking

Lucy Patterson & Tracy Sharp
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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. SEP 14

    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

  2. AUG 13

    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

  3. JUL 14

    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

  4. JUN 13

    A Beginner's Guide to AI versus Design Thinking

    In this episode, Lucy and Tracy explore the relevance of design thinking in the age of artificial intelligence. They discuss the historical context of AI, its integration into design processes, and the importance of maintaining a humanity-centered approach. The conversation emphasises the need for empathy, creativity, and the unique insights that only humans can provide; even as AI becomes a more prevalent tool in design thinking. Soundbites: 7:24 - 'AI is like the Ozempic of the corporate world.' 9:10 - 'Have we been mis-using design thinking in ways AIcan now replicate easily?' 12:57 - 'How do we integrate it without losing thehuman magic? That’s the brief.' 13:49 - 'It’s amazing for breadth, but it's got jack sh*t intuition.' 23:15 - 'I basically work to the principal of AI fast, then human slow, and AI plus human intelligence is where the true magic lies.' 28:59 - 'When we test with real humans, we spot the moments AI misses - that's the stuff that matters most. Design thinking is about empathy, creativity and testing. If we skip those steps, we’re not using AI, we’re just avoiding the hard stuff.' Key takeaways: Design thinking is still relevant despite AI advancements.AI has been in development for much longer than perceived.The integration of AI into design thinking should enhance, not replace, human creativity.Real design thinking involves messy, human processes that AI cannot replicate.AI can assist in initial research but should not replace human insight.The importance of empathy in design thinking cannot be overlooked.AI can help generate ideas but lacks intuition and context.Using AI responsibly requires understanding its limitations and biases.Collaboration between AI and human intelligence can lead to innovative solutions.Testing with real humans is essential to capture insights that AI misses.

    32 min

  5. MAY 14

    A Beginner's Guide to Empathy

    In this episode, Lucy and Tracy delve into the critical role that empathy plays in design thinking; emphasising its importance in creating products and services that truly meet the needs of users. They discuss the consequences of neglecting empathy, share personal anecdotes, and provide practical tools and steps for fostering empathy in design processes. The conversation highlights the need for inclusivity and accessibility in design, encouraging listeners to reflect on their own biases and assumptions. Key takeaways: Empathy is essential in design thinking.Designing for the average ignores diverse user needs.Everyday experiences highlight the need for empathetic design.Empathy can improve product accessibility and inclusivity.Tools like the Wheel of Power and Privilege help identify biases.Recognising your starting point is crucial for progress.Engaging with users directly leads to better design outcomes.Design should be aspirational, not just functional.Small tweaks can make a big difference in inclusivity.An empathy audit can help reflect on biases and assumptions. Sound bites: "Empathy isn't just a nice to have.""We need to be asking them, the users.""Recognise where you are. Start from there""Design for aspiration as well as function." Chapters: 00:00 Welcome Back and Season Three Introduction 01:08 Understanding Empathy in Design 02:28 The Importance of Empathy in Design Thinking 03:28 The Consequences of Lacking Empathy 07:20 Empathy in Everyday Life and Design 09:41 Tools for Enhancing Empathy 14:39 Practical Steps to Foster Empathy 19:56 Empathy Audit and Conclusion

    24 min

  6. JAN 21

    A Beginner's Guide to Embracing Struggles, Adopting Solutions & Learning Lessons: Season Two Finale.

    In this episode, Tracy and Lucy wrap up Season 2 by reflecting on the importance of embracing failure as a teacher and the lessons learned from their personas, Dave and Eliza. They discuss practical solutions for common business struggles, the significance of stakeholder engagement, and the value of iterative testing. The episode emphasises the journey of personal and professional growth through design thinking principles, encouraging listeners to celebrate small wins and enjoy ...

    41 min

  7. JAN 7

    A Beginner's Guide to The Power of Implementation in Design Thinking

    In this episode Lucy Patterson and Tracy Sharp explore the critical theme of implementation in the design thinking process. They discuss the importance of taking action, the challenges of maintaining momentum, and the necessity of reflection and feedback. The conversation also touches on useful frameworks like TOMS and the Five-Star Ratings Framework to help listeners define success and stay accountable. Additionally, they emphasise the significance of sustainability in innovation and...

    31 min

  8. 12/17/2024

    A Beginner's Guide to Navigating the Ideation Process in Design Thinking

    In this episode, Lucy Patterson and Tracy Sharp explore the principles of design thinking, focusing on the ideation process, innovation, and the importance of prototyping. They discuss how to navigate overwhelming ideas, the iterative nature of innovation, and the significance of vulnerability in seeking feedback. The conversation emphasises the need for clarity in problem-solving and the value of prioritisation in decision-making, ultimately encouraging listeners to embrace the learning ...

    33 min
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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 - 2025
  • Episodes
    40
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Lucy Patterson & Tracy Sharp
  • Show Website
    Beginners Guide to Design Thinking

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