DEMYSTIFYING DESIGN THINKING FOR INDIA

Concept: Design, as you will agree, is an iterative process. And with the constantly changing world and its dynamics, even the design processes have undergone a reformation, with design thinking becoming a fundamental component of this conscious evolution. It draws upon logic, imagination, intuition and systemic reasoning, to explore future possibilities through effective problem-solving techniques. Simplistically put, design thinking is an outcome of designer's sensibilities and methods that help cater populace needs through technology and business strategy. In late 2016, The Design Value Index (DVI) which is a market capitalization-weighted index consist of design-driven companies, released an annual report to disclose its portfolio of 16 design-led companies which verified a 211% return over the S&P 500. Firms include Google, Apple, Uber, Netflix, and SalesForce.com which had embraced design thinking at the fundamental of their business models.

Evolution of Design Thinking: Today in an era of easy information access, the digital processes have brought new possibilities for the design arena that requires an ethical and feeling attitude along with sharp intellect. The other step forward is created using professional design education that is sensitized to feel, think, and act for a rapidly changing social world. Design thinking approach has been in existence for a few decades now. It has the power to lay a better foundation across industry verticals. Ever since 1950's, we have experienced the pervasive presence of design for the mass launch and wider adoption of cars, consumer electronics across the world. 

India Story: Design Thinking is widely gaining prominence in India by breaking the stereotypes for future development. The actual transformation of design thought into the process will be led by design thinking principles that can evolve with the right direction. The intuitive experience of this process will help get a deep dive into user personalities and their preferences for future. The idea should be to create an enterprise social network that includes all stakeholders, combined with a suite of tools, method, and processes. For India, a government supported ecosystem will spearhead the growth of design thinking principles. Also, a holistic policy framework will further establish original and design based thinking. At present, some of the product companies have started experimenting with the application of design thinking for their campaigns to anticipate and cater their target customer demands. Usha Fans is an example of implying some of the basics of design thinking principles which became a major success with the product range dedicated for children. The fan manufacturer incorporated imagery as part of fan design from popular cartoons, like choota bheem and doraemon, making it appealing to the children. The future product companies will be able to address and anticipate problems better by creating robust systems and processes by incorporating design thinking principles at a root-level.