What is Design Thinking?
Design thinking is a collaborative process of problem-solving. It uses an organized method of observation and responsiveness, generating multiple solutions that are prototyped and tested. Design thinking is particularly helpful in dealing with 'wicked problems,' those that are ill-defined and complex, where both the seeds of the problem and the solution are unknown. It is a methodology that encompasses a multi-disparate, active approach to learning and develops strategies that are context-dependent. Design thinking solutions are long-term, sustainable, and focused on the social good of our community.
The Design Thinking Initiative aims to expand opportunities for students to experience and learn the process of design thinking, enhance their employability, and help them further their liberal education. Employers are looking for collaborators and those experienced in design thinking as a creative process.
Elements of Design Thinking
Career Benefits of Design Thinking
- Empathizing
- Defining the Scope of an Issue
- Imagining possibilities
- Prototyping ideas
- Incorporating feedback
- Enhanced problem solving skills
- Improved Risk Management
- Increased Innovation & Creativity
- Stronger Collaboration & Teamwork
- Adaptability to Change
- Reduced Bias
Design Thinking Faculty & Staff Grant
Money from the original Design Thinking Initiative dedicated funds are available to support faculty/staff interested in enhancing the learning and teaching of design thinking at GVSU.
Apply for up to $1,500 per faculty/staff per school year (partnering with other faculty/staff available)
Increase the number of creative, collaborative problem-solvers across the GVSU campus
Any GVSU faculty/staff with an interest in design thinking can apply
Applications open at the beginning of each semester for two weeks or for as long as funds are available – up to $5,000 per year.
Email questions to [email protected]
- A description of how your project will enhance learning and teaching of design thinking at GVSU;
- A detailed budget associated with the design thinking project specifying the amount of financial support requested
- Support from the GVSU faculty/staff member’s unit head/supervisor.
A committee, selected by the Dean of Brooks College, will review each application and make a recommendation whether or not to support the request within two weeks of submission. The committee may be made up of GVSU faculty, staff, and students, and community members outside of GVSU with knowledge of design thinking. The Dean will review each recommendation and have the final decision.
Upon completion of the project, faculty/staff are expected to submit a brief report (under 200 words) to the office of the Dean of Brooks College describing what they accomplished/learned and how it will enhance design thinking across the GVSU community. Portions of these reports may be placed on the GVSU Design Thinking website or shared in promotional materials.
- Purchasing books on design thinking
- Registration for design thinking seminars
- Travel to design thinking events
- Membership fees for professional design thinking organizations
- Registration or travel to design thinking conferences
- Fees for virtual design thinking courses and certifications
- Developing GVSU design thinking courses
- Costs associated with presenting/leading design thinking sessions
- Organizing an on-campus design thinking event
- Supplemental funds for design thinking resources used in class
- Paying for a student intern as a class assistant in a design thinking course
Design Thinking Student Grant
Money is available each year through the John and Claudia Berry Design Thinking Endowment Fund to support students interested in learning more about design thinking
Apply for up to $500 per student per school year towards a design thinking learning experience (groups may apply and pool their money for things like travel)
Increase the number of creative, collaborative problem-solvers among GVSU students
Any GVSU student, undergraduate or graduate, with an interest in design thinking can apply
Applications open at the beginning of each semester for two weeks or for as long as funds are available – up to $1,700 per year
Email questions to [email protected]
- an essay (under 500 words) explaining their interest in design thinking;
- a description of the learning experience they are planning to engage in and how it would increase their understanding of design thinking;
- a detailed budget associated with the design thinking learning experience specifying the amount of financial support being requested; and
- a reference from a GVSU faculty member.
As long as funds are available, a committee, selected by the Dean of Brooks College, will review each application and make a recommendation whether or not to support the request within two weeks of submission. The committee may be made up of GVSU faculty, staff, and students, and community members outside of GVSU with knowledge of design thinking. The Dean will review each recommendation and have the final decision.
Upon completion of the learning experience, students are expected to submit a brief report (under 200 words) to the office of the Dean of Brooks College describing what they gained from the experience and how they will apply what they have learned. Portions of these reports may be placed on the GVSU Design Thinking website or shared in promotional materials.
- Purchasing books on design thinking
- Registration for design thinking seminars
- Travel to design thinking events
- Membership fees for professional design thinking organizations
- Registration or travel to design thinking conferences
- Fees for virtual design thinking courses and certifications (not available for GVSU courses)
- Organizing an on-campus design thinking event
- Travel for study abroad courses focusing on design thinking
Give
Support Design Thinking at GVSU
Your gift to Grand Valley State University is an investment in our students, West Michigan, and our state that provides a significant and measurable return. We are proud to be one of the nation's top regional universities, and even prouder of our graduates, who are making an impact in our region, our state, and beyond. The John and Claudia Berry Design Thinking Fund supports Design Thinking at GVSU. Thank you!
I was shocked to find out that I actually enjoyed the design thinking event. I attended because it was a requirement for another class and at first I didn't think it was something I would enjoy, but I was surprised at the end. It definitely broadened my views on design, before I just related design to art and didn't think much about the process of design. It was also fun to draw the prototype and the graph of our day.
Projects & Collaboration
Grand Valley State University lives in the center of a design ecosystem, where creativity and innovation are basic to economic and social growth. The scale and complexity of today’s and future problems require the ability for different disciplines to work together on common problems. Grand Valley has liberal education at the core of our education mission. The Design Thinking Initiative aims to expand opportunities for students to experience and learn the process of design thinking, enhance their employability, and help them further their liberal education. Employers are looking for collaborators and those experienced in design thinking as a creative process.
As a comprehensive institution with more than 200 programs, and with multiple community partners, Grand Valley is ideally situated to host this multidisciplinary, integrative approach and nurture the design thinking ecosystem for the West Michigan community.
Design Thinking Videos
Learn more about design thinking and some of the projects that have been implemented at GVSU
A short video about what Design Thinking is all about and how it can be applied in the lives of students and faculty.
A short introduction to the role of Design Thinking at Grand Valley State University through interviews with different students, faculty, and industry professionals.
A GVSU marketing and communications class began working with an Amway sponsored project to both learn design thinking and apply the process to an area on Amway's interest. This video documents the first phase of that project.
Check out our YouTube Channel!
View additional videos on Design thinking at GVSU including previously recorded workshops
Contact Us
Questions? Email [email protected]