Reflection on the Design Thinking Cycle and UN Global Goals
1. Why are the UN SDGs relevant to 21st Century innovators, inventors and designers? United Nations SDGs are relevant to 21st Century inventors, inventors and designers because the goals are focusing on the future development of this planet sustainably to provide better space and living for younger generations. The UN SDGs and the thinking cycle show great connections to transversal competencies developed by UNESCO for 21st Century innovators/future generation.
2. Which strategies did you find the most helpful and why? I find Research and Empathy is the most helpful strategy during this project. Initially, I had zero understanding of UN SDGs and research and empathy process helped me gain more insight into this project and how to move forward with the project. When completing each step in this project, I researched many resources from various places to achieve the best results. For example, I research My unit lecturer, Michelle’s website, different applications, software, websites created by other colleagues, google scholar articles, government pages during the completion of this project.
3.You were asked to build a prototype or propose a solution and then test it with users/colleagues/significant people. Why is receiving feedback so important in design? Diversity is one of the strengths we admire in modern society and we need to be mindful and respectful to propose solutions that represent diversity in our community. Since, people have different needs, abilities, beliefs, expectations, it is vital to seek feedback from different people to achieve the best possible outcome for all. Moreover, I believe testing and receiving feedback is important for a continues improvement of any project.
Who would you ask for more feedback? Why did you choose these people? I would like to get more feedback from government authorities and professionals involved in the early childhood education system, so I can achieve an insight of what they believe and explore future barriers that we might experience in implementing my suggested final solution.
4. Which Design Thinking stage did you find the most challenging? Why? Which stage did you find the most rewarding? Why? I was struggling with the lean canvas thinking stage when I had to complete the total expenditure. My equation was simple: the total expenditure/ funding required = the number of children between birth to age five in 2030 X total expenditure to provide free education and care for one child But, I failed to find out the approximate estimate population growth in 2030 and therefore approximately how many children the government should be looking at providing free early childhood education and care for children from birth to five years old. I was not able to find the total expenditure that we need to provide free education and care for one child. Being both figures unknown, I was unable to calculate and achieve an approximate number to indicate the potential costs in the canvas, which I believe need improvement.
5. What is the most significant skill/idea/concept you have gained this semester? Explain why. This semester has been highly informative for me in many different ways and areas. I learnt many things during the completion of this project. How to build a website, create online surveys, about UN SDGs in both global and Australian context, and the innovative design thinking cycle, are some of the main skills and knowledge I developed during this semester.