4 Ways to Start Thinking like a Designer

Design thinking is not just limited to professional designers - it’s a mindset that can be adopted by anyone seeking innovative solutions to problems! By thinking like a designer, you can expand on your creativity and learn to approach challenges with an open mind. 

Here are the best 4 ways to adopt the design mindset:

Stay curious and open-minded

Designers are naturally eccentric individuals. They have an insatiable appetite for learning and a genuine interest in the ever changing world around them. To start thinking like one, cultivate a sense of curiosity and stay open-minded. Embrace new ideas, perspectives, and experiences. Explore different industries, art forms, and cultural influences. By expanding your horizons, you can gain inspiration from unexpected sources and apply fresh insights to your own work.

Keep up with the latest trends and developments in your field. Follow relevant blogs, attend conferences and workshops, and engage in thoughtful conversations. By staying informed and up-to-date, you can identify emerging patterns, anticipate future needs, and adapt your outlook accordingly.

Adopt a beginner's mindset

One of the key traits of successful designers is their willingness to embrace ambiguity and take risks. When faced with a problem, approach it with a beginner's mindset. Let go of preconceived notions and assumptions, and instead - ask the right questions and explore multiple possibilities. Be comfortable with uncertainty and be open to diverse solutions.

A beginner's mindset allows you to challenge conventional thinking and discover new perspectives. It encourages you to question the status quo and consider alternative approaches. By cultivating this mindset, you can uncover innovative solutions that might have been overlooked by those stuck in familiar patterns.

Practice control and restraint

Design is not just about what you include - a lot of it is about what you leave out. Great designers understand the power of restraint and the importance of making deliberate choices. When creating something - whether it's a graphic design, a user interface, or a product, it's crucial to exercise control over every element.

Learn to make the hard choices between what to include and what to exclude - and why. Consider the core purpose and essence of your work and eliminate any unnecessary clutter or distractions. By practicing control and restraint, you can create designs that are focused, impactful, and visually appealing. Remember - genius lies in what you leave behind.

Build a community of like-minded individuals

Surrounding yourself with people on the same wavelength will greatly enhance your thinking. Engage with a community of like-minded individuals who share your passions and expand on your ideas. This can be done by joining online forums, participating in theme-focused social media groups, or attending creative classes and workshops.

By interacting with others, you have the opportunity to share insights, and learn from their experiences. Collaborative discussions and critiques can provide valuable feedback that helps refine and improve your work. Building a community also fosters a sense of belonging and support, encouraging you to continuously grow and develop.

By embracing these approaches, you can cultivate a mindset that allows you to approach problems creatively, empathetically, and with a focus on innovation. So, go ahead and unlock your full creative potential!