Design Thinking Approaches to Sustainability in Smart Cities & Communities

With the start of the new CEE 177L Smart Cities & Communities: Sustainability Design Thinking course in about 2 months, I wish to reflect on the methodological thrusts pinned to three design thinking approaches.

1. PostIt Brainstorming and seeing what sticks: normal to crazy. Our un-bounded contributory method based on imaginative fast thinking idea generation and capture. The seemingly random yet focused method. Example: the perfect restaurant menu. Amenable to innovation and problem-solving.
2. Tailoring to a single Composite Character Profile. Our feature list-based feedback loop method that cycles on lesson-backed iterations of character and product to achieve communicable positioning. The attractant method. Example: the original Macintosh UI. Amenable to early adopter kickstarting.
3. A System of Systems: Networking Nodes, Connections & Protocols. The architectural framework method that involves layered designs incorporating data-driven networking essentials such as routing, QoS, validations, performance evaluations, and synchronizations. The navigation method. Example: the perfect hotel. Amenable to interwoven storytelling.

The three above approaches are all connected with the YCISL program and the CEE 176G Sustainability Design Thinking course. I will be looking for fresh, inspired and inspirational outcomes. Let’s hope for creative energy, generational resonance and timely coincidence for each of our design thinking journeys.