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Colourful collage poster built around a large lightbulb, ringed by labelled panels for problem space, journey mapping, prototyping and stakeholders
Photo: Unsplash Resource Database
When
Mon 20 Apr 2026, 1:00 PM – 4:00 PM
Location
JoY: John Yencken [45], Ground Floor
Skills Developed
Design ThinkingProblem FramingInclusive Design
ModeWorkshop ThreadTD Interactive

About this KNoT

This KNOT introduces Design Thinking as a dynamic, human-centred approach to tackling complex social challenges through design methodologies.

You will be introduced to the origins and evolution of Design Thinking and an overview of some key principles and methods to identify, frame, and critically respond to problems across diverse societal contexts. This will be followed by an activity-based learning experience, where you will be guided through the process of applying Design Thinking to a problem area of your own choosing. This includes mapping the problem space, identifying key stakeholders, journey mapping to understand user experiences, and more!

By the end of this KNOT, you will have developed both a conceptual understanding and practical experience of applying Design Thinking for social impact, engaging complex problems with empathy and insight.

Preparation

  1. Read about design thinking: Design Thinking: Where It Came From (Medium)
  2. Please bring a problem that you are interested in exploring. This might be something to do with your area of study, research, work, or something that you're passionate about. You are also welcome to bring a problem you started exploring in a previous KNOT.

What You’ll Learn

You will learn how to demonstrate and apply Design Thinking to a problem of your choosing.

Learning Resources

Wicked Problems in Design Thinking Author(s): Richard Buchanan Source: Design Issues, Vol. 8, No. 2, (Spring, 1992), pp. 5-21 Published by: The MIT Press Stable URL: Client Challenge

Tips & Advice

Be prepared to work actively and collectively. We will provide materials for this session.

How to Complete This KNoT

Take at least one of the tools from the class and apply it to a problem of your choosing.
Include a copy of the worked output (can be a photo, drawing, etc). You may include more than one. Include a short 100-200 word reflection that explores how you are considering the problem differently through using the tool (ie what are the insights you have gained).

Submit your Completion Task here:

Submit your completion task for this KNoT via the Qualtrics survey (ANU Login required). You have 10 calendar days after the KNoT to submit it.

Writing your reflection

Most completion tasks ask you to reflect on what you did. For prompts, sentence starters, and the five areas a strong reflection covers, see Writing Your Reflection. Your completed tasks come together at the end of the semester in the Completion Evidence.

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