Cultural and Experiential Qualities in Design

Design Thinking Critique

Rylander Eklund, A., Navarro Aguiar, U., & Amacker, A. (2022). Design thinking as

sensemaking: Developing a pragmatist theory of practice to (re) introduce sensibility. Journal of Product Innovation Management, 39(1), 24-43.

The article addresses the challenge of understanding design thinking by going beyond the aspect of problem-solving. It focuses on going deeper into the cultural and experiential qualities of design thinking, which are often overlooked in the literature.

The article asks: how can design thinking be conceptualized beyond a purely cognitive activity? It also asks: What is the role of sensibility in design thinking, and how is it developed and nurtured? How can a pragmatist theory of practice provide a deeper understanding of design thinking?

The study’s impact is that it moves the perspective on design thinking from problem-solving to creativity, sensemaking, imagination, and improvisation. The goal here is to give it a more holistic approach. The researchers use a theoretical approach rooted in a pragmatist theory of practice and the studio culture from which designers' creative practice developed.

First, the article's emphasis on design thinking as more than just a cognitive, problem-solving activity aligns with Lesson 4's discussion on the importance of creativity and innovation in problem-solving. Second, its focus on imagination and sensibility resonates with the lesson's discussion on the importance of creativity in problem-solving and design. Third, the article's critique of the separation of design "thinking" from the practice of designing mirrors the lesson's emphasis on the interconnectedness of analytical and creative thinking in the engineering design process.

It also focuses on the cultural and experiential qualities of design thinking, so it could benefit from a more explicit discussion on human-centered design, as highlighted in Lesson 4, as understanding the human perspective is crucial for ensuring the desirability of a product or process.