Change by Design Book Summary - Change by Design Book explained in key points
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Change by Design summary

Tim Brown

How Design Thinking Transforms Organizations and Inspires Innovation

4.2 (177 ratings)
17 mins

Brief summary

Change by Design by Tim Brown is a design thinking guidebook that presents an inspiring method to innovate, solve problems & generate creativity. Brown showcases how design thinking can be a tool within organizations to spark innovation & transform them into customer-focused entities.

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    Change by Design
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    To be a design thinker, taking an integrative approach to projects is crucial.

    Many people understand innovation to be simply the process of inventing a new technology. When you have your new invention, then you have an “innovation.“

    This view is far too simplistic. In contrast, design thinking offers you a method to approach the process of innovation, and thus achieve a more sophisticated understanding of innovation itself.

    Design thinking encourages us to take an integrative approach to innovation. This approach combines three overlapping “spaces,” through which a project may cycle several times.

    First comes inspiration. In this space, we consider a problem or opportunity, thinking about what we can do to solve the problem or bring the opportunity to fruition.

    Second is ideation. Here we develop our ideas and theories, and then put them to the test.

    Last is implementation. In this space, we introduce our idea to the market.

    You won’t march directly through these three spaces – rather, most innovations will pass through each space a number of times as part of the design thinking process.

    For example, during the process of ideation, you could develop a product with features that go beyond addressing your initial problem. In this case, you might want to revisit the inspiration process, to consider what different kinds of problems your product’s new feature could solve.

    To create an integrated solution, a design thinker must balance three aspects: feasibility, viability and desirability. Whereas a “normal” designer may resolve the different aspects of a project separately and one by one, a design thinker brings them all together as one harmonious solution.

    The gaming console Nintendo Wii offers an example of an integrated solution that perfectly balances feasibility, viability and desirability.

    Nintendo introduced gestural control to console gaming, which at the time was not only feasible (if not cutting-edge) but viable. The company also priced the console less than other machines on the market, while providing a more immersive experience for the player – thus making the Wii desirable for their target market.

    In the course of your design projects, you too should make this integrative approach the foundation of your design thinking.

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    What is Change by Design about?

    Change by Design (2009) presents a holistic, interdisciplinary approach to designing solutions to address any sort of innovation challenge. In following this step-by-step guide, you’ll be able to more creatively develop the stories and inspirations that will lead to tomorrow’s innovations.

    Change by Design Review

    Change by Design (2009) explores the idea of using design thinking to drive innovation and solve complex problems. Here's why this book is worth reading:

    • With insightful case studies and practical tools, it empowers readers to embrace a designer's mindset and tackle challenges creatively.
    • By emphasizing the importance of human-centered design, the book offers a fresh perspective on problem-solving that can be applied to any industry.
    • The author's engaging storytelling and ability to break down complex concepts into digestible ideas make this book both informative and enjoyable to read.

    Who should read Change by Design?

    • Anyone whose job requires creativity and innovative thinking
    • Anyone interested in finding a better way to address problems in society
    • Business leaders who want to inspire creativity and innovative thinking

    About the Author

    Tim Brown is the chief executive officer of IDEO, an international design and innovation consulting company. He has earned many design awards, applying his “design thinking” approach in his work for international companies, governments and other institutions.

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    Change by Design FAQs 

    What is the main message of Change by Design?

    The main message of Change by Design is that design thinking can drive innovation and solve complex problems.

    How long does it take to read Change by Design?

    The estimated reading time for Change by Design is a few hours. The Blinkist summary can be read in just 15 minutes.

    Is Change by Design a good book? Is it worth reading?

    Change by Design is a worthwhile read for anyone interested in design thinking. It offers practical insights and inspiration for driving innovation.

    Who is the author of Change by Design?

    The author of Change by Design is Tim Brown.

    What to read after Change by Design?

    If you're wondering what to read next after Change by Design, here are some recommendations we suggest:
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    • This is Service Design Thinking by Marc Stickdorn and Jakob Schneider
    • 15 Secrets Successful People Know About Time Management by Kevin Kruse
    • 12 Rules For Life by Jordan B. Peterson
    • Creativity, Inc. by Ed Catmull with Amy Wallace
    • The Phoenix Project by Gene Kim
    • Emotional Design by Donald A. Norman
    • Buddhism – Plain and Simple by Steve Hagen
    • You Don't Need a Budget by Dana Miranda