Design Thinking

Design thinking is a methodology to solve problems creatively. The core of design thinking is producing actionable insights and knowing your questions. It’s about simple mindset shifts or ways of asking questions differently – a new way to look at problems.

The most valuable experience of the studio is that I gained hands-on experience in design techniques like coding, Makey-Makey, 3D printing, and laser cutting.

- Jack Zhong (participant) 

At UWC-DT Summer Studio, different workshops held in design thinking encouraged students to apply the framework not only in design but also in different aspects of their real life. The development of different skillsets, from coding to physical prototyping, alongside various technological equipment offered at Yushan Academy Center for Design and Innovation, such as 3D printing and laser cutting, provides a set of foundational skills that support students to apply design thinking in problem solving and project management.

For example, in the "School Bag Design Challenge", I witnessed students developing essential communication skills to find out users' needs, and ways of brainstorming to create designs that meet the needs of end-users; while developing empathy, collaboration and communications along the way. Another workshop focused on the use of Makey Makey to expand students’ creative abilities, with the use of Playdoh and fruits to communicate with their digital devices to make sounds. Through these interactive and fun activities, students discovered the limitless potential of creation with the use of advanced technology, which further encourage them to embark on the journey of "making".  

Woody, one of the students in my crew, combined his interest in design, basketball and video games into basketball shoes design and game design. He pursued his interest by learning advanced coding and designed two video games after the Studio. Cooperatively, in the design challenge happening at the last three days in the Studio, every group designed a product specifically either to help UWC students to cope with different stresses or to improve integration within the UWC community. Some of the group proposed designs like CSC escape room, CSC e-library, and CSC Pokemon, doing well in their attempts to deal with the challenge of living in a diverse community. Their potential to make a huge impact in UWC CSC in the future was clear to see.

Similarly, all the instructors also effectively utilized design thinking in class planning. Everyday after classes, facilitators and instructors gathered together to discuss the students’ feedback, classroom atmosphere and the effects of different activities and teaching techniques. It was inspiring that the instructors’ team, as designers, were improving the curriculum along the way, aiming to provide students with the best experience in the classroom.

UWC-DT Summer Studio brought together diverse students, facilitators, and instructors to produce an engaging community. To my astonishment, even though it was only a week, this community created a wonderfully rare opportunity, propelling us to learn from each other.

Every night, when I sat with my crew members – a set group of 7 participants coming from very different backgrounds – I learned so much about various individuals, education systems, and cultures. I understood their interest in game design, coding, and quantum physics; and I exchanged perspectives on experiment-focused education in Switzerland and the value of social responsibility in Waldorf education. From these small yet precious moments, I fell in love with interacting with the participants, as they broadened my perspectives with experiences I would otherwise never have encountered.   

Having the opportunity to live with such amazing classmates and create meaningful conversations helped me learn so much more than what I would learn in any other classroom.

- Harry Jiang ( participant)

Besides crew time, during these immersive experiences of UWC themed activities such as Global Issues Forum and Fireside Chat, I was delighted to witness participants exchanging perspectives from Artificial Intelligence to virtual reality, from peace to conflict, and from economics to anthropology. Rapidly, an inclusive community was created, and tight bonds were formed. 

Most importantly, the most moving part of the week was the diverse representations of UWC values within the Studio.  The instructors, despite their different backgrounds, all resonated with the beliefs of UWC. While UWC aims to improve the world by education, IDEO, where two of our instructors currently work, believes in improving the world by design. Using design thinking, focusing on empathy, creativity and teamwork, it is a manifestation of UWC values in the real world. Copenhagen Institute of Technology, where one of our instructors teaches, and another studied, believes in human-centered development through interaction design. It is a huge encouragement to see how people in society share the same values, and are making a positive change in the world in their respective professions.