How Design Thinking Can Transform Your Everyday Life
The other day, one of my students, we will call her Aisha, walked into my design class with a spark in her eyes.
She plopped down her bag, turned to me, and said, “Mr. Adam, I realized something yesterday. I was using design thinking in my social circle. My friends were having a disagreement, and instead of taking sides, I tried to understand where each of them was coming from and helped us figure out a solution together. It was like I was prototyping ideas to solve a problem… with my friends!”
I felt my soul melt.
I couldn’t help but smile at her and tell her she just won.
This is the beauty of design thinking: once you learn it, you see how it applies far beyond the classroom or professional projects. You start to notice how it’s woven into the decisions you make, the way you communicate, and the problems you solve — big or small.
Don’t worry about sounding professional. Sound like you. There are over 1.5 billion websites out there, but your story is what’s going to separate this one from the rest. If you read the words back and don’t hear your own voice in your head, that’s a good sign you still have more work to do.
Be clear, be confident and don’t overthink it. The beauty of your story is that it’s going to continue to evolve and your site can evolve with it. Your goal should be to make it feel right for right now. Later will take care of itself. It always does.
A Brief History of Design Thinking
Design thinking emerged from studies on creativity in the 1940s and took shape through works like John E. Arnold’s Creative Engineering (1959) and L. Bruce Archer’s Systematic Method for Designers (1963). These pioneers emphasized design as a structured, iterative process to address complex problems.
Creative Engineering by John E. Arnold
At Stanford University, figures like Robert McKim and Rolfe Faste advanced design thinking as a creative methodology, with David Kelley later adapting it for business and innovation through IDEO. Over time, the concept expanded into diverse fields, bridging design, management, and education.
Today, design thinking is recognized globally as a versatile approach to solving problems across disciplines. For this discussion, I will present two models that lend themselves to personal application: Stanford’s five-stage process and AIGA’s Head, Heart, and Hand approach.
The Five Stages of Design Thinking
Stanford University’s Hasso Plattner Institute of Design (d.school) popularized a five-phase framework for design thinking:
Empathize — Understand the needs of the people involved.
Define — Clearly articulate the problem.
Ideate — Brainstorm creative solutions.
Prototype — Experiment with low-risk versions of your ideas.
Test — Try out your solutions and refine them based on feedback.
These stages aren’t rigid. You might jump back and forth between them, or even tackle them out of order. What matters is that you remain focused on the user (or, in everyday life, the people affected by the problem).
The Head, Heart, and Hand Approach
The American Institute of Graphic Arts (AIGA) broadens how design thinking can be applied through their “Head, Heart, and Hand” framework:
Head: Intellectual analysis (e.g., costs and logistics).
Heart: Emotional considerations (e.g., everyone’s interests and feelings).
Hand: Practical action (e.g., booking tickets, organizing tasks).
© American Institute of Graphic Arts, Fair Use
Applying Design Thinking to Everyday Problems
Design thinking isn’t just for engineers, artists, or tech entrepreneurs—it’s a mindset that can help in everyday moments:
1. Empathize: Understand the Real Problem
Pause and seek to understand different perspectives. For example, if your roommate keeps leaving dishes in the sink, ask questions rather than jump to conclusions. Empathy opens the door to solutions.
2. Define: Frame the Challenge
Once you gather insights, reframe the issue. Instead of focusing on blame, ask: “How might we create a cleaning routine that works for both of us?”
3. Ideate: Brainstorm Creative Solutions
Think outside the box. Could you introduce a points system for chores or play a fun playlist while cleaning?
4. Prototype: Test Small Changes
Try low-risk experiments—like alternating dish duty for a week—to see what works before committing to a major overhaul.
5. Evaluate: Refine and Iterate
Reflect on what worked and adjust. If alternating chores feels uneven, refine the approach. Maybe you alternate on weekdays and tackle tasks together on weekends with music.
Everyday Applications
Decision-Making: Weigh pros and cons or brainstorm options and prototype by trying each choice on a small scale.
Relationships: Strengthen communication by reframing disagreements as shared challenges.
Productivity: Experiment with different routines or tools to combat procrastination.
Health and Wellness: Start small—prototype a 10-minute walk after lunch rather than committing to a 5 a.m. workout right away.
The power of design thinking lies in its human-centered, iterative approach. It’s not about having all the answers upfront but about staying curious, experimenting, and embracing failure as part of growth.
So the next time you face a tricky situation—whether at home, work, or with friends—take a moment to think like a designer. You might be surprised at how much smoother life can feel when you approach it with empathy, creativity, and an open mind.
