The benefits of design thinking during a crisis

When we think of design thinking, we might automatically pull out the textbook definition: empathize, ideate, define, prototype and test. But life comes at you fast, just as it’s coming at us during this pandemic and we might not have the time, capacity or the space to follow a set rubric on how to solve a problem.

So we’re forced to be creative.

Creative problem solving is foundational to design thinking. Thinking outside of the box is helping us think of ways to solve the face mask shortage and even the lack of an accessible vaccine.

We’re forced to be flexible.

The world as we know it is experiencing a seismic shift and it keep up with all of the changes, we must be adaptable to our circumstance to get through it.

We must be inclusive.

And while are we adapting to our new normal, we also need to design solutions and policies that include everyone regardless of age or ability.