Beginners Guide to Design Thinking

In this episode we welcome the inimitible Christine Hemphill from Open Inclusion. With a background in design, Christine now specialises in inclusive product design, with a particular interest in age and disability. From retail to banking, healthcare to transport, Christine's knowledge, understanding and desire to disrupt the product design sector for the greater good is admirable. We're all 'user...

In this episode we dive deeper into the psyche of co-host Tracy Sharp. To get us started, Lucy makes Tracy share her career profile with us, as if she'd written it for a dating app...then we get serious! From the highlights of working on the 'Foodi' for SharkNinja whilst out in China, to the burn out that followed; Tracy provides honest and open insight into her life as a female in a male dominate...

In this episode we discuss the impact of story-telling; more importantly the impact of good story-telling. As a design engineer, Tracy shares a story of a hotel stay that didn't live up to expectations, and how story-telling could have helped the hotel to better improve her experience. Lucy sings the tune to a 1980's Milky Way tv advert that shows how story-telling links to nostalgia, marketing, a...

In this episode we discuss how to use the power of reflection in order to boost your mindset and discover the benefits that taking time to reflect can have on your business and life. Tracy shares the reflection questions she claims stopped her from quitting during the early days of running her own business, and Lucy shares how she uses reflection methods to maintain communication and momentum with...

In this episode we look at the potential of questions within the innovation and design thinking process. We uncover some of the cross-overs between design thinking and lean manufacturing, and share the Japanese origins of a very simple, yet effective exercise, '5 Whys'. Plus, of course, because we're all about actionable insight, we provide you with some real life examples that enable you get to t...

In this episode we touch on one of Tracy's favourite stages in the design thinking process; prototyping. Having spent years working as a Design Director for a major household brand, what Tracy doesn't know about prototyping is probably not worth knowing. Join us as we share some of her production design insight, and then learn how to apply the same/similar insights to service based business' - and...

In this episode we cover one of the main stages in the design thinking process: observe. Sure, we all observe ourselves and others on a daily basis, but when you need to observe with purpose; to be aware of your surroundings, to better understand the impact of your product, or to solve problems and makes decisions within your business, how good are you at observing then? It can actually be one of...

In this episode we chat with Michael Lewrick, PhD, MBA. Michael has worked intensively these past few years to establish himself as a Thought Leader and world-renowned specialist in the field of Design Thinking. A best-selling author and award-winning entrepreneur, his ideas, books and innovation company - Lewrick & Company - help people around the world to better lead innovation and business...

In this episode we find out more about the journey that lead one of the co-hosts, Lucy Patterson, to a career in design thinking. From the influence of her Grandparents on her mindset, to a successful management career that left her feeling stifled, to setting up Flourish Unlimited. Onto a sink or swim conversation that saw her embark on a life and business changing trip just before the pandemic h...

In this episode we explain a bit more about the key steps of the design thinking process; exploring the 'double diamond' concept, which is currently celebrating its 20th year of use. So join us as we diverge to converge; applying the double diamond to life design and coaching; considering ways you can apply it to your life and business for simple, yet immediate and iterative impact. Continue to li...

In this episode we explain a bit more about one of the most commonly used tools in Design Thinking, journey - and empathy - maps. Within business, maps may relate to your customer's thoughts, feelings and journey, how your processes flow, or how you get to a sale. We'll chat customers touchpoints, and help you identify where they are in their journey with you: Awareness, consideration, purchase, r...

In this episode we explore ideation - a key element of design thinking - and how it fits into the innovation space. If you think that ideation is just a brainstorming session, then you need to listen to this episode, because you couldn't be more wrong. This episode could just provide you with the framework you need to discover your next big product/service! We chat creativity as an adult, how to g...

In this episode we explore one of Lucy's favourite Design Thinking tools; 'How Might We?' There's more to Design Thinking than just fun and effective tools, and in this episode we explore a bit of the neuroscience and psychology around creating a productive problem statement. We talk elephants, riders, working alone together, not needing to re-invent the wheel, and how to manage those 'tricky' pow...

In this episode we look at how Design Thinking can be used as a powerful tool for growth, both in your business and your life. We're here to help you not just fail fast and fail forward, but to learn fast, and learn forward, because we grow from many perspectives: Physical, emotional, spiritual, social and mental. Join us as we chat about the elements of coaching that can address these growth area...

In this episode we evaluate the first Design Thinking tool of this podcast season, as we discuss the benefits and potential pitfalls of using 'Five W's & H Questions'. This tools allows us to gain better understanding of the opinions and wishes of our customers, whilst removing judgement and assumptions. It can get us closer to the 'right' problem statement, and it bring nebulous thoughts toge...

In this episode we meet Ed Watson, a Design Thinking afficionado and Workshop Facilitator extraordinaire. Listen as Ed shares his design thinking journey. It's a journey that takes us via IBM and Accenture, with a stop-off finding out more about his activism and the notion of 'Modern Elders', then pivots to his monthly meet-ups that bring together an awesome community of design thinkers from aroun...

In this episode we share more about the history and evolution of design thinking; from the 1960s 'designerly ways of thinking' to adoption of the more human-centred, product, life, and business design we know today. Book (affiliate) links for this episode are: DT Toolbox - https://amzn.to/3ZSpAdf Design Thinking Life Playbook - https://amzn.to/3mMnmwY Designing Your Life - https://amzn.to/3ZYnvvG...

In this episode we explain how to use design thinking as your 'compass' in order to find balance and purpose in your life and business. We help you to ask the right questions, in order to get the right answers; ensuring you're living with purpose and intent. Book (affiliate) links for this episode are: Designing Your Life - https://amzn.to/3ZYnvvG Design Thinking Life Playbook - https://amzn.to/3m...

In this episode we chat 'blue whale businesses' with Phil Teasdale - published Author and CEO of Enterprise Made Simple - as he shares his experience of engaging with Babson College, the world's No.1 university for Entrepreneurship. It was while engaging in Babson's Program for Entrepreneurship Educators that he found his passion for design thinking. Phil is now a UK based Babson Fellow, and conti...

Aimed at design thinking newbies, and those who are curious about how they can use design thinking to boost their business and improve their lives. Join Lucy Patterson and Tracy Sharp - two Northern lasses who support business owners and individuals to use design thinking to positively disrupt the status quo; improving your business performance, whilst also invigorating your love of life. We're he...

Links to the listeners whose work we mentioned in the episode: ⁠Candor Dennis⁠ The Event Playbook Coffee Chats Series ⁠Liz Atkin⁠ Refreshing Comms ⁠Vaughan Broderick⁠ Innovation in Action waitlist In this reflective episode, Lucy and Tracy celebrate three years of recording their award-winning design thinking podcast; sharing personal growth stories, podcast success', and lessons learned. They...

Links to the listeners work mentioned in this episode: Dennis Candor The Event Playbook Coffee Chats Liz Atkin Refreshing Comms Vaughan Broderick Innovation in Action book waitlist In this reflective episode, Tracy and Lucy celebrate three years of their design thinking podcast, sharing personal growth stories, podcast successes, and lessons learned. They engage with listener questions, discuss th...