The role of design thinking in modern professional education: fostering innovation and problem-solving

Abstract

The modern development of society and technology has presented new challenges to professional education in preparing creative, innovative, and analytical professionals across various fields. In this context design thinking, which was initially employed in design professions, is gaining increasing popularity as a vital tool for developing creativity, problem-solving, and seeking innovative solutions in various professional domains. Design thinking is an innovative approach to problem-solving that is based on design principles and considers user needs. It is directed towards understanding the essence of the problem, identifying possible avenues for its resolution, fostering a creative process of idea generation, and testing solutions in practice. Design thinking extends beyond artistic aspects; it emphasizes the synthesis of knowledge from diverse fields to achieve optimal results. Empathy is one of the key elements of design thinking – the ability to sympathize and understand the needs and problems of users. This aspect is particularly crucial in professional education as it fosters the development of responsible and ethical leaders capable of designing products and services that cater to the real needs of society. Design thinking also nurtures problem-solving skills – the ability to consider a problem from different perspectives and find the most effective solutions. Integrating this approach into professional education helps students develop creative and original approaches to problem-solving, encouraging them to cultivate independent critical thinking. Another advantage of this methodology is its ability to promote teamwork by involving diverse specialists in collaborative problem-solving efforts. In the contemporary world, where complex problems demand integrated approaches, this ability is particularly valuable in professional endeavors. However, implementing design thinking into professional education faces certain challenges. Insufficient understanding of this approach and inadequate preparation of educators may impede the integration of design thinking into curricula. Additionally, existing stereotypes about design might hinder its adoption across various fields. Thus, the article focuses on the role of design thinking in modern professional education, highlighting its potential in fostering innovation and problem-solving. It analyzes the advantages of this approach and provides examples of successful implementation in various domains. It also identifies challenges that arise in the process of integrating design thinking into educational programs and proposes strategies to overcome them.