Practical 1

To understand the practical application of Design Thinking methodology through short, hands-on
activities involving empathy, ideation, and prototyping

Objective
Smart Study Space – Creating an Ideal Environment for Focused Learning

1. Empathize Phase

Task:
Interview 3–4 students to understand their challenges while studying.
Ask about noise, lighting, posture, comfort, distractions, and available space.

Guiding Questions:

 Where do you usually study, and what problems do you face there?
 What helps you focus best (sound, temperature, lighting, posture)?
 What distracts or demotivates you while studying?

Write your key observations:

2. Define Phase

Task:
Summarize your findings into one clear problem statement.

Example Format:
“Students need a way to study comfortably and without distractions because their current
environment reduces focus and causes fatigue.”

Write your own problem statement:____________________________

3. Ideate Phase

Task:
Brainstorm creative ideas for designing an ideal study space or furniture piece.

List 3–5 ideas:______________________________________

4. Prototype Phase

Task:
Create a simple sketch, cardboard model, or 3D mockup of your Smart Study Space idea.
Include elements like lighting, chair/table design, or tech setup (charger slots, posture
support, etc.).

Describe your prototype:________________________________________

Test Phase

Task:
Show your prototype or sketch to 2–3 classmates and collect feedback.

Questions to ask testers:

 How comfortable or practical is this design?

 What would you add or change?

Write main feedback points:_____________________________________________

6. Reflection

Questions:

 What did you learn from this project?

 How did users’ feedback shape your final design?
 What improvement would you make next time?
Practical 2
To understand the practical application of Design Thinking methodology through short, hands-on
activities involving empathy, ideation, and prototyping

Objective
Sustainable Packaging – Redesign Packaging to Reduce Waste

Empathize Phase

Task:
Interview 3–4 consumers or shopkeepers to understand packaging-related issues.
Ask about waste, convenience, product safety, and disposal habits.

Guiding Questions:

 What kind of packaging do you use most often?

 What problems do you face with current packaging (e.g., too much plastic, difficult to
open, non-recyclable)?
 What would make packaging more user-friendly and eco-friendly for you?

Your Key Observations:____________________________

Define Phase

Task:
Summarize the insights from interviews into a problem statement.

Example Format:
“Consumers need eco-friendly packaging because current packaging creates excess plastic
waste and is not biodegradable.”

Write your problem statement:_________________________________________

Ideate Phase

Task:
Brainstorm and list creative ideas to make packaging sustainable while keeping it cost-
effective and attractive.
Use materials like paper, jute, recycled cardboard, or plant-based plastics.

Generate at least 3–5 ideas:_________________________________-------

Prototype Phase

Task:
Create a simple prototype or sketch of your sustainable packaging concept.
Show structure, shape, material, and labeling.
Describe your prototype:_____________________________________________

Test Phase

Task:
Show your design or prototype to 2–3 users and ask for feedback.

Feedback Questions:

 Is the packaging practical and easy to use?

 Does it feel sturdy and safe for the product?
 Would you prefer this over traditional plastic packaging?

User Feedback Summary:_____________________________________

Reflection

Task:
Reflect on what you learned through this process.

Questions:

 What surprised you most during your research?

 How did your idea change from start to finish?
 What are the next steps for improving this concept?

Your Reflection:___________________________________________
Practical 3
To understand the practical application of Design Thinking methodology through short, hands-on
activities involving empathy, ideation, and prototyping

Objective
Redesign the College Canteen Experience – Improve Waiting Time, Menu Visibility, or Ordering
Process

Empathize Phase

Task:
Observe and interview canteen users — students, staff, and canteen workers — to understand
their daily challenges.

Guiding Questions:

 How long do students usually wait for food?

 Is the menu easy to see and understand?
 What issues do canteen staff face during rush hours?
 What do students wish could be improved about the canteen experience?

Write Key Observations:________________________________________________

Define Phase

Task:
Summarize your findings and define the main problem clearly.

Example Format:
“Students need a faster and more organized canteen experience because long queues and
unclear menus waste time and cause frustration.”

Write your own problem statement:__________________________________

Ideate Phase

Task:
Brainstorm multiple creative ideas to improve the canteen experience.
Use “How Might We…” questions such as:

 How might we reduce waiting time?

 How might we make menu options clearer?
 How might we make ordering more convenient?

List 3–5 ideas:_______________________________________________

Prototype Phase

Task:
Develop a low-fidelity prototype — a simple sketch, app layout, floor plan, or model showing
your improved canteen system.
This could include:

 Self-ordering kiosk or QR menu system

 Redesigned seating layout
 Color-coded queue system
 Digital display for order tracking

Describe your prototype:_________________________________________

Test Phase

Task:
Show your prototype idea to canteen users (students or staff) and record their feedback.

Feedback Questions:

 Is this design easy to use or understand?

 Does it solve the main issues (waiting time, menu clarity, ordering)?
 What would you change or add?

Feedback Summary:__________________________________________

Reflection

Task:
Reflect on your learnings from this project.

Questions:

 What did you learn about user needs and system improvement?
 Which phase helped you the most in shaping your idea?
 How could your idea be implemented realistically on campus?

Your Reflection:____________________________________________
Practical 4
To understand the practical application of Design Thinking methodology through short, hands-on
activities involving empathy, ideation, and prototyping

Objective
Community Problem-Solving – Find a local issue (waste disposal, street lighting, accessibility) and
design a solution.

Empathize Phase

Task:
Identify a local issue in your community — for example, waste disposal, poor street lighting,
water drainage, or accessibility challenges for the elderly or disabled.
Observe the situation and talk to 3–4 local residents or stakeholders.

Guiding Questions:

 What problem affects people the most in your community?

 Who is most impacted by it and how?
 How do people currently try to solve or manage this issue?
 What emotions or frustrations did you notice in users’ responses?

Key Observations:__________________________________________

Define Phase

Task:
Summarize your insights into one focused problem statement.

Example Format:
“Residents need a better waste disposal system because irregular collection and lack of bins
cause unhygienic surroundings.”

Write your problem statement:__________________________________

Ideate Phase

Task:
Brainstorm possible ideas to solve the problem using creative and practical thinking.
Think about low-cost, sustainable, and community-friendly solutions.

Write at least 3–5 ideas:___________________________

Prototype Phase

Task:
Create a visual or physical prototype of your idea — this can be a drawing, model, digital
mockup, or small-scale demonstration.
Example Ideas:

 Waste segregation bins with color codes

 Solar-powered streetlights
 Accessibility ramp models
 Awareness campaign posters

Describe your prototype:_______________________________

Test Phase

Task:
Present your idea or model to local users, classmates, or teachers to get their opinions.

Feedback Questions:

 Does this solution feel realistic and useful?

 What improvements or adjustments do users suggest?
 How easy would it be to implement in the community?

Feedback Summary:_______________________________

Reflection

Task:
Reflect on what you learned through this project.

Questions:

 What did you learn about the importance of empathy in social design?
 What changes would make your idea more impactful or scalable?
 How can your team contribute to real-world implementation?

Your Reflection:_______________________________________________
Practical 5
CASE STUDY: “REDESIGNING A MANUFACTURING COMPANY’S SAFETY HELMET”

Industry Context

A large automobile manufacturing plant employs over 2,000 workers. The company faces
recurring safety issues:

 Workers remove helmets because they are uncomfortable.

 Helmets trap heat and sweat during long shifts.
 Chin straps break easily and are often left unfastened.
 The Safety Department reports frequent minor head injuries.
 Helmets require manual monthly inspections by supervisors.

The company wants to redesign the industrial safety helmet to improve comfort,
compliance, and safety—using a Design Thinking approach.

INDUSTRY-LEVEL SOLUTION (Using Design Thinking)

EMPATHIZE STAGE – INDUSTRY PERSPECTIVE

A. Stakeholders Interviewed

1. Assembly line workers – actual users.

2. Shift supervisors – monitor safety compliance.
3. Safety officers – responsible for equipment performance.
4. Maintenance technicians – handle repairs and replacements.
5. Plant HR & Management – budget + productivity impact.

Research Methods

 Shadowing workers through a full 8-hour shift.

 Thermal imaging to measure heat buildup inside helmets.
 Direct interviews of 45 workers across departments.
 Incident report analysis from last 12 months.
 Workplace observation of how often helmets are removed.

Key Insights (Industry-Level Findings)

1. Comfort Issue
Workers remove helmets every 20–30 minutes due to heat & sweat.
2. Non-Compliance
60% workers don’t fasten chin straps because they irritate the skin.
3. Breakage
Straps tear due to poor-quality clips and heavy use.
4. Safety Gaps
Helmets are not replaced even after impact because inspections are manual.
5. Maintenance Problem
Supervisors spend excessive time checking helmet condition.
DEFINE STAGE – CLEAR PROBLEM STATEMENT
Problem Statement (POV)

“Factory workers need a comfortable and durable safety helmet that reduces heat,
prevents sweating, and ensures automatic compliance because discomfort and manual
monitoring lead to safety risks and productivity loss.”

Key Needs Identified

 Reduce heat and improve ventilation

 Improve strap comfort
 Increase durability of materials
 Automate compliance monitoring
 Reduce impact monitoring workload

Industry Constraints

 Must meet ISO & BIS industrial safety standards

 Must fit within company’s PPE budget
 Must withstand high temperatures & oil exposure
 Must not increase production downtime

IDEATE STAGE – INDUSTRY INNOVATION

Brainstormed Concepts

1. Ventilated air-flow channels with heat-dissipation grooves

2. Sweat-wicking inner padding (washable & antibacterial)
3. Soft silicone chin strap replacing hard plastic
4. IoT impact sensor that logs falls and alerts supervisors
5. QR code tag for automatic digital inspection
6. Magnetic buckle system for quick fastening
7. Lightweight composite material for better comfort
8. Cooling gel insert for high-heat areas of the plant

PROTOTYPE STAGE – INDUSTRY PROTOTYPING

A. Low-Fidelity Prototypes

 Foam-and-cardboard model of helmet shape

 Strap and buckle mock-ups
 Mobile app wireframes for supervisor alerts

B. High-Fidelity Prototypes

1. 3D-printed helmet shell with ventilation channels

2. Silicone strap prototype with magnetic buckle
 3. Electronics prototype using:
o Arduino Nano & impact sensor
o Bluetooth module for alerts
4. Pilot helmet batch of 20 units for workers in two departments

Testing Parameters

 Heat retention
 Strap comfort
 Durability
 Sensor accuracy
 Worker acceptance
 Compliance rate improvement

TEST STAGE – USER & INDUSTRY FEEDBACK

Feedback From Workers

 Heat reduced by 35% (measured using thermal sensors).

 Workers no longer removed helmets frequently.
 Straps were “comfortable” and “non-irritating.”
 Magnetic buckle saved time and reduced complaints.

Feedback From Safety Officers

 Impact alerts were accurate for 92% of cases.

 Digital inspection reduced manual checking time by 80%.
 Helmet replacement cycle became more predictable.

Business Impact

 Compliance increased from 68% → 95%

 Minor head injuries reduced significantly
 Productivity increased as workers spent less time adjusting helmets

Iteration After Testing

 Added removable cooling pads for extremely hot zones

 Improved battery life of sensor to 30 days
 Strengthened magnetic buckle for dusty environments
 App notifications made more structured and simpler
🌟 FINAL INDUSTRY PRODUCT

A next-generation Smart Industrial Safety Helmet featuring:

✔Optimized airflow cooling

✔Sweat-proof internal padding
✔Anti-irritation silicone chin strap
✔Magnetic quick-lock buckle
✔IoT-based impact detection
✔Bluetooth supervisor alerts
✔QR-code inspection logs
✔Lightweight & durable shell

This solution provides higher comfort, safety, and compliance, directly improving worker
well-being, plant efficiency, and safety performance indicators.
Practical 6

REDESIGNING THE PATIENT APPOINTMENT & QUEUE SYSTEM IN A MULTI-

SPECIALTY HOSPITAL

Industry Background

A large 600-bed multi-specialty hospital receives around 2,500 outpatient visits every day.
Despite digitization efforts, the hospital faces major issues:

 Long waiting times for OPD patients

 Confusion at billing and reception counters
 Patients repeatedly asking for directions
 Delays in doctor schedules
 High crowding, especially in mornings
 Frequent complaints from elderly patients

The hospital management wants to redesign the complete Appointment & Queue Flow
System using Design Thinking to improve patient experience and operational efficiency.

EMPATHIZE STAGE — REAL HEALTHCARE INSIGHTS

A. Stakeholder Interviews

1. Patients — elderly, children, chronic patients, new visitors

2. Attendants/caregivers
3. Doctors (consultants + residents)
4. Nurses
5. Front-desk / reception staff
6. Hospital IT team
7. Hospital operations manager

Research Methods

 Shadowing patients from entry to exit

 Journey mapping of a typical OPD visit
 Direct interviews (60 patients across 8 departments)
 Time–motion study to measure average waiting times
 Data review from the Hospital Management System (HMS)

Key Pain Points Identified

Based on real-world healthcare challenges:

Patient Pain Points

 Difficult & slow registration

 Confusing navigation inside hospital
 Long queues at reception & billing
 Not knowing estimated waiting time
 Elderly patients struggle with paperwork
 Appointments often running late
 Repetitive form-filling for each visit

Staff Pain Points

 High crowding at counters

 Manual data entry slows work
 Doctors getting delayed due to uneven patient flow
 Difficulty coordinating between departments

DEFINE STAGE — CLEAR PROBLEM STATEMENT

⭐Problem Statement (POV)

“Patients need a simple and predictable OPD appointment & queue experience because long
waiting times, confusing processes, and lack of information create frustration, stress, and
operational delays.”

Key Needs (Human-Centered)

 Reduce waiting time

 Provide real-time queue status
 Simplify registration
 Improve navigation inside hospital
 Assist elderly & non-tech users
 Reduce manual workload for staff
 Ensure doctor schedules run smoothly

Constraints (Real Hospital Constraints)

 Must integrate with existing HMS

 Must maintain patient data privacy (HIPAA / NDHM guidelines)
 Low adoption barrier for elderly
 Budget limit for hardware installations
 Cannot disrupt ongoing hospital operations during rollout

IDEATE STAGE — INNOVATIVE HEALTHCARE SOLUTIONS

Brainstormed Ideas

1. Hospital Queue Management App showing:

 o Token number
o Real-time wait time
o OPD room navigation
2. Self-service registration kiosks with Aadhaar/phone number login
3. Smart digital token system for each OPD
4. Digital display screens across hospital
5. Auto-routing algorithm to reduce crowding
6. Voice-assist kiosks for elderly patients
7. Chatbot for appointment booking
8. Wayfinding system with color-coded floor paths
9. WhatsApp updates for appointment reminders & queue updates
10. Priority queue lane for elderly and disabled patients

Final Concept

A Smart OPD Flow Ecosystem consisting of:

 Digital queue management

 Mobile + WhatsApp updates
 AI-powered self-check-in kiosks
 Indoor navigation system
 Priority assistance for elderly
 Doctor-side dashboards to monitor patient flow
 Automated billing prompts

PROTOTYPE STAGE — HEALTHCARE-FRIENDLY PROTOTYPING

A. Low-Fidelity Prototypes

 Paper sketches of patient flow

 Clickable mobile app wireframe (Figma)
 Cardboard model of kiosk interface
 Workflow chart for queue algorithm

B. High-Fidelity Prototypes

1. Working self-check-in kiosk using tablet + QR scanner

2. Token management dashboard for reception
3. Mobile app prototype
o Appointment booking
o Queue tracking
o Map of hospital
4. Digital queue display system
5. Doctor's offline dashboard showing next patient
EST STAGE — REAL HOSPITAL FEEDBACK
Key Findings

Patients said:

 Kiosks reduced registration time from 15 min → 4 min

 Queue updates helped reduce anxiety
 Indoor navigation reduced confusion
 Elderly users needed bigger fonts & voice assistance

Reception staff said:

 Workload reduced by 40%

 Fewer people asking for directions
 Appointments now run closer to schedule

Doctors said:

 More predictable OPD flow

 Fewer disturbances during consultations

FINAL INDUSTRY PRODUCT

A Smart Patient Appointment & Queue Management System containing:

✔Self-check-in kiosks
✔Mobile & WhatsApp queue tracking
✔Digital displays across hospital
✔Real-time OPD dashboards for doctors
✔Priority lanes for elderly
✔AI-based load distribution to reduce crowding
✔Indoor navigation guidance
✔Automated reminders & notifications
Practical 7
CASE STUDY: Improving Guest Check-In Experience in a 4-Star Hotel Using Design Thinking

Background

Sunview Grand Hotel, a 4-star business hotel in Jaipur, receives around 120 guests daily.
Although the hotel has modern facilities, management receives recurring complaints:

 Slow check-in process

 Repetition of ID & payment details
 Miscommunication between reception & housekeeping
 Lack of personalized welcome
 Guests waiting long for room readiness
 Confusion about hotel services (restaurant, spa, WiFi, breakfast)

To maintain competitiveness, the hotel decides to apply Design Thinking with a customer-
centric approach to redesign the entire check-in experience.

1. Empathize — Research Insights

Methods Used

 15 guest interviews
 Observation at reception counter
 Staff interviews (receptionists, housekeeping, concierge)
 Analysis of guest feedback and online reviews

Guest Pain Points

✔Took 20–30 minutes for check-in during peak hours

✔Needed to repeat ID details even after uploading during booking
✔Lack of clarity about room readiness
✔No personalized welcome — feels robotic
✔No information about WiFi, dining, cab, or spa during check-in
✔Guests often tired from travel, but process feels long

Staff Pain Points

✔Housekeeping doesn’t update room readiness fast enough

✔Reception overwhelmed during peak check-in time
✔Difficulty handling guest queries while doing administrative work
✔Manual forms slow down the process

Managerial Pain Points

✔Long queues create bad brand image

✔Low guest satisfaction scores
✔High dependency on manpower
✔Delayed check-in → delayed room turnover

Emotional Insights

 Guests feel tired after travel.

 They want speed, clarity, and personalization.
 Staff feels pressured and overloaded.

Customer-Centric Insight:
Guests don’t want a fancy welcome — they want a fast, smooth, and effortless entry to their
room.

2. Define — POV Problem Statement

Sample POV Statement:

A tired business traveler needs a fast and transparent check-in process because long waits
and repetitive formalities increase stress and reduce their comfort during arrival.

Ideate — 5+ Innovative Solutions

1. Mobile Pre Check-In App

 Guests upload ID, choose check-in time, and receive a digital key.
2. Smart Queue & Token System

 Shows waiting time and sends SMS when room is ready.

3. Personalized Welcome Desk

 A separate counter for VIPs, families, late-night arrivals.

4. Digital Concierge Kiosk

 Touchscreen showing WiFi password, dining options, spa offers, city map.

5. Housekeeping–Reception Sync System

 Real-time updates on room readiness through an internal app.

Bonus Ideas

6. Welcome Drink + Seated Check-In Lounge

7. Face Recognition for Frequent Guests
8. QR-Based Hotel Information Guide

Prototype (Low-Fidelity) — Mobile Pre Check-In App

Prototype Features

 Screen 1: Login with booking ID

 Screen 2: Upload ID (Aadhaar/Passport)
 Screen 3: Choose check-in time
 Screen 4: Complete payment online
 Screen 5: Receive Digital Room Key (QR Code)
 Screen 6: Navigate to room with digital map

Paper Wireframe (Text Description)

 Simple interface with 3 main buttons:

“Pre Check-In”, “Room Status”, “Digital Key”
 After successful check-in, app shows:
“Your Room 407 is ready. Proceed directly. No need to visit the desk.”

Test — Validation Plan

Pilot Test

 30 days trial with 100 guests (50 use new app, 50 follow old system)
Metrics to Measure

1. Average check-in time (Target: 30 min → 8 min)

2. Guest satisfaction score (Target: improve by 20%)
3. Queue length reduction
4. Number of guests using digital key
5. Reduction in staff workload during peak hours
6. % of rooms handed over on time

Feedback Collection

 Quick 3-question survey:

1. Was check-in faster?
2. Was the app easy to use?
3. What improvement do you suggest?

Customer Centricity in Each Step

Design Thinking Stage Customer-Centric Approach

Empathize Understanding tiredness, stress, and frustration of guests

Define Framing the problem around guest comfort, not hotel operations

Ideate Generating ideas that reduce effort & increase convenience

Prototype Designing the simplest form of a guest-friendly solution

Test Measuring success based on guest happiness & ease, not internal KPIs

Core Customer-Centric Principle:

👉 “Reduce guest effort, increase guest delight.”