n WORTH NOTING
buzzwords
READERS SOUND OFF
IN THE COMMENTS
Design Thinking
\ di-ˈzīn \ ˈthiŋ-kiŋ
A methodology that provides a solution-
based approach to solving problems.
Dilemma of the Month:
Cutting Employee Pay
V
arious iterations of “design thinking” have come into play over the years, but the
process as we currently know it consists of five steps: empathize, define, ideate,
prototype and test.
Design thinking as a methodology is deeply rooted in humanity. First outlined by
cognitive scientist Herbert Simon in his 1969 book, “The Sciences of the Artificial,” the
system is meant to be highly observational. To be able to calibrate and meet a user’s
needs, one must first have an understanding of the user’s experience.
The term is most often used in the development of products and web services, but
the strategy has reached beyond the design industry, and individuals can tackle prob-
lems with design thinking — cue sparkle sound effect.
THE BUZZ
Charting the Next Course
S.A.: The California Teachers Association has
been reeling since the Janus decision. They have
incorrectly selected charter schools as the bad
guy. The real “bad guy" is the lack of funding for
K-12 education in California. Charter schools fill
an important need for over 600,000 students,
choice is a good thing. The CTA spins a "kids
over profits" narrative when discussing charter
schools. One, charters are public and there are no
profits. Two, the CTA probably cares more about
money than any other player in public education.
Their primary function is to make sure teachers
(adults) get paid as much as possible, it has noth-
ing to do with the kids. Charter schools actually
perform at the same or better level than most
traditional public schools, and for less money!
Have something to say? Email us.
[email protected].
16
comstocksmag.com | May 201 9
“Some people think design thinking will help make a bad idea work, which it won’t,” says
Lauren Kelly Sheridan, a web designer and co-director of Sacramento Design Week. “It
can highlight why the idea isn’t working ... but it isn’t a Band-Aid.”
The idea is now being used by businesses that desire a deeper understanding of how
to serve customers. “[It’s] coming up in corporate discussions, [which is] great because
businesses understand it can help understand and empathize with their audience,”
Sheridan says.
Design is a creative and assumedly fun field. But Sacramento Design Week’s co-
director, Amanda Sanchez, warns against skipping steps to get to the fun part. “I think
a lot of the issues that people run into when starting events/campaigns/brands, is they
want to skip to the ‘ideate’ step,” she says. “It’s not as fun to really sit down and pinpoint
what the problem is that we are trying to solve and how our solution will be received.”
Unfortunately, you can’t get to the sexy outcome by skipping the unsexy steps.
THE WORD
Sanchez used the method when developing Sacramento Design Week, starting with
empathizing and defining the need for collaboration and community among local de-
signers. “I really carved it out to be what I felt was lacking from the design community
in Sacramento.” She expanded her research to fellow designers to help define key goals.
“Taking that human experience and empathizing with our local design community has
really made Design Week Sacramento what it is.”
Sheridan defines design thinking as “considering your audience’s needs, feelings,
and motivations when designing products and services.” But what about stalling out? “I
always remind myself to go back to step one when I get stuck. ... I will always review my
design briefs to make sure I really understand my client’s problem.” And if you don’t, ask
questions. Rinse. Repeat.
Jenny Boxer: Many years ago, my firm went
through hard times, and the owners took a major
pay cut. We also laid off two underperformers.
While wages are frozen for a while, the rest of us
were unaffected. In good times, the owners earn
substantially more than the rest of us (enormous
bonuses). With the exception of the CEO, they
don't work harder or longer hours. I hired most of
them out of college years ago. Were we to have
another downturn, I would again expect (only)
them to take a pay cut. Your advice was right on.
BY Vanessa Labi
ILLUSTRATION: Marissa Lewis