What you really (really) want

Design has its own particular culture, just as business does. And so do ‘sub-cultures’ like 1970s punk rock. This might sound like the start of a corny joke, but what would happen if a punk rock band, an anthropologist and a couple of MBAs walked into a bar? And how does it help organisations to solve problems? Ezri Carlebach sets off to find the punch line.

Does curiosity kill the cat, as the saying goes – or can it re-energise it? Research expert Els Dragt thinks it’s the latter. Read her take on the value of observing, listening and asking questions so you can get to know your customers, plus tips on how to do these well.

A good leader must understand people, whether they are work colleagues, customers or other stakeholders. Design thinking makes use of tools borrowed from anthropology that can shed light on how different individuals and cultures behave, making it easier to collaborate and meet their needs. Ezri Carlebach explains.

This year’s London Marathon is on Sunday 23rd April 2017. Jo Maude, our producer and gym/sport fan, talks about some of the innovative new kit that makes running and keeping fit a joy. Learn about recycled trainers, cool clothing, smartwatches and more sports gear innovations.

“There is no such thing as a failed experiment, only experiments with unexpected outcomes”. Fear of failure inhibits change, yet understanding what produces it can lead to innovation. We look at the work of creators such as Buckminster Fuller, and how they experienced fear and uncertainty, but persist to innovate.

Steph Cutler founded her inclusion consultancy, Making Lemonade after experiencing unexpected sight loss. She participated in our last Bootcamp to further her work with clients in facilitating courageous and wide reaching outcomes. Here she shares how inclusive approaches often lead to innovative solutions.

Richard Beaumont is the Head of Digital Design at Direct Line Group. He participated at the last Facilitation course and with this blog, explains the reasons why he decided to join the course. He reflects on what he learned on the course and how he can share this within its team.

Fill in the caption to make Rodin’s famous sculpture The Thinker into a Design Thinker. There is a great new book to be won, plus fame and glory. Submit your work before Sunday the 30th of April. The winner will be informed by email on Thursday the 4th of May. Good luck!

What are the challenges for organisations when they try to bring in design thinking? Consultant and Bootcamp attendee Matt Spry shares his experience of some of the barriers to overcome and why you should still go for it.

Catarina Matos, our Project Manager and Design Researcher, went along to a Design in Health workshop at the UK Design Museum in February 2017. Here she shares her views on design thinking in public health and her thoughts on the workshop.

7 Roles to Drive Change by Design is a newly published book written by Joyce Yee, Emma Jefferies and Kamil Michlewski. The book outlines the roles that people can take in designing change within organisations. Supported by 13 strong case studies, the book is a practical tool that helps readers in implementing change within their business.

The Design Museum recently launched ‘Industry Insights’, a series of talks for students who wish to learn more about design and where it can be applied. The first event of this series takes place this Thursday 2nd February and focusses on design for health and wellbeing. Catherine Erneux from DTA interviewed Meera Rajan, the curator of this event.