Design Thinking

Design thinking is a problem-solving process that has distinct phases or steps. Many employers and innovation leaders believe this process leads to more creative solutions for both big and small problems. This process has been applied to a range of challenges from addressing issues of poverty to designing better consumer products. At its heart, design thinking embraces a mindset of questioning assumptions, testing ideas and learning about the "person" who will benefit from the solution. GPS offers three stand-alone workshops to give graduate students and postdoctoral scholars the opportunity to practice design thinking in an academic context. Participants who complete all three workshops will receive a Design Thinking Certificate of Completion.


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Part 1: Building Collaboration
You will apply design thinking fundamentals to build stronger collaborations with peers, supervisors, or industry/community partners. Collaboration is fundamental to creativity and innovative solutions, and it is a skill valued by academic and non-academic employers alike.

Learning Outcomes:
By the end of the workshop, participants will be able to:

  • Define design thinking and list three key elements that support the distinct phases within the process;
  • Use appropriate questions and information to create a persona of the end-user (in this case the persona will be from their academic program which could include a supervisor or advisor); and
  • Practice the design-thinking mindset to support purposeful collaboration.

Next session: Friday, January 26, 2024 | Time: 1:00 - 3:30 p.m. (MST)

Register Here Zoom Link


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Part 2: The Art of Generating Ideas
You will apply design thinking fundamentals to tackle the challenge of work-life balance including problem clarification and statements, mind mapping and backwards design. Creative problem solving and critical thinking skills are valued by academic and non-academic employers alike.

Learning Outcomes:
By the end of the workshop, participants will be able to:

  • Define design thinking and list three key elements that support the distinct phases within the process;
  • Use two idea generation techniques, including mapping and backwards design, to create possible solutions for a work-life balance challenge; and
  • Practice the design-thinking mindset to support creative problem solving

Next session: Friday, February 16, 2024 | Time: 1:00 - 3:30 p.m. (MST)

Register Here Zoom Link


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Part 3: Journey Mapping
You will apply design thinking fundamentals to gain new insights as you systematically outline the steps of your academic journey from a determined moment in time to an end point, like degree completion or tenureship. This process, known as journey mapping, has the potential to uncover innovation opportunities while contributing to the enhancement of the overall graduate student and postdoctoral scholar experience. Innovation skills and creative confidence are valued by academic and non-academic employers alike.

Learning Outcomes:
By the end of the workshop, participants will be able to:

  • Define design thinking and list three key elements that support the distinct phases within the process;
  • Use the journey mapping technique to uncover insights and opportunities to improve the overall graduate student experience; and
  • Practice the design-thinking mindset to support innovation skills.

Next session: Friday, March 8, 2024 | Time: 1:00 - 3:30 p.m. (MST)

Register Here Zoom Link