Following the 101 Masterclass for Building Empathy, the 201 Masterclass focuses on how to define a problem space and start to ideate solutions. Includes workshop exercises, brainstorming, and ideation mindsets and techniques.

1. Design Thinking
Masterclass
201 – Design Thinking in Practice
Created by Sara Fortier | Outwitly Inc. | outwitly.com

2. Agenda
Introductions
Recap from 101 and choose problem
Exercise 1: Challenge assumptions
Exercise 2: Draw the problem
Exercise 3: Problem mind map
Exercise 4: Brainstorm solutions
Exercise 5: Refine and draw your solution
Groups present ideas/storyboards
Wrap Up and Questions
9:00am
9:05am
9:20am
9:35am
9:45am
10:00am
10:20am
10:40am
10:50am

3. Introduction
Today’s Masterclass (101 vs. 201)
Pier learning session – what did you guys do?

4. Stanford d.School process
Empathize
Define
Ideate
Prototype
Test
Last time
101 – Building Empathy

6. Stanford d.School process
Empathize
Define
Ideate
Prototype
Test
Today’s work…

7. How it feels
Today’s work…
The Squiggle of Design by Damien Newman

8. Diverge to converge
Opening
(Divergent)
Exploring
(Emergent)
Closing
(Convergent)

9. Rethink highschool
Today we will choose 1 problem from last time to ideate/solve with design thinking methods
(dot voting).
Problems areas from last time:
1. Lack of empathy and don’t feel like they belong (Need support, respect, inclusivity)
2. Traditional schooling doesn’t accommodate different learning styles, too rigid, (needs more
hands-on, interactive learning, adaptive education)
3. Too much pressure and stress, no room or time for personal interests and needs

10. Workshop Exercises
Break into teams of 3-4 people

11. Ideation mindsets
1. Challenge the status-quo (and assumptions)
2. Use peripheral thinking
3. Stand in the future
4. Objectively seek clearly added value
5. Storytelling

12. Exercise 1: Challenge assumptions
10 minutes
On a piece of paper:
1. Draw a line down the middle of the paper. Title one side “Assumptions”, and the other side
“Challenge”
2. On the side titled “Assumptions” list out 5 possible assumptions that you have about the
problem, or the organization has about why this can’t be fixed.
3. On the side titled “Challenge” write out 1-2 ways that each assumption could be challenged
or changed into a positive.

13. Exercise 2: Draw the problem
10 minutes
Now that we have identified the problem, lets break it apart and define it further.
1. Think of a few characters for your story
2. Draw the problem as storyboards or as a poster (5 min)

14. Exercise 3: Problem mind map
15 minutes
On a piece of paper:
1. Draw a node in the centre of the paper called “Highschool [problem]”
2. Spreading out from there create other nodes that relate to the problem
3. Create a spider web of nodes
4. Highlight or circle three top areas/priorities that need to be tackled

15. Exercise 3: Peripherals mind map
15 minutes
On a piece of paper:
1. Draw a node in the centre of the paper called “Highschool [problem]”
2. Spreading out from there create 3-4 nodes that are adjacent industries (who can act as
inspiration) (i.e. Children’s hospital).
3. For each adjacent industry, list 3-4 ideas you can steel from them/things they do really well.

16. Brain-
storming
rules

17. Exercise 4: Brainstorm solutions
20 minutes
Step 1: (3 min) Individually write out as many solutions/ideas as possible. Write each idea on
one post-it.
Step 2: (12 minutes) In teams, go around the table and share your ideas, build on the ideas of
others and add more ideas/post-its.
Step 3: (5 minutes) Pick the strongest concept that provides the most value and any
complementing ideas.
Think about adjacent industries!!!

18. Exercise 5: Draw your solution
10 minutes
Step 1: Refine solution (10 min). Based on your best/strongest concepts from Exercise 4,
refine your solution. Think through all aspects in more detail.
Step 2: Draw solution (10 min)
Storytelling and properly communicating your ideas is a crucial step in the design thinking
process. Now that you have decided on a solution, work with your team to draw it out.
(Can be shown as a storyboard or poster)
Use words if you need to, but try to focus on images.

19. Present Solutions & Storyboards
10 minutes
Each group will have 2 minutes to present their initial “problem” scenario and how they came
to a solution in their “future” scenario/storyboard.

20. Wrap up
What did you take away from today?
Any questions?

21. Resources
Prototyping and Testing:
Make Tools by Liz Sanders
IDEO’s Design Kit (click on the “Implementation” filter)
Book:
Change by Design: How Design Thinking Transforms Organizations and Inspires Innovation by
Tim Brown

22. Thank you!
Email: sarafortier@outwitly.com
Instagram and twitter: @outwitly
Linkedin: https://ca.linkedin.com/in/sarafortier
Website: outwitly.com