Reflection Paper Assignment on Self Analysis on Learning

Question

Task Description: This is an INDIVIDUAL assessment that consists of three components:

• Blog detailing your weekly activities and learning (multi-media
• Reflective report, which details your learning journey and explicitly cross-references the blog (written
• Self- and Peer-Assessment of groups from assessment 2 (online questionnaire

Answer

Introduction
This is a reflection paper assignment of the overall learning as the result of experiencing Design Thinking activities in this unit. By the self-analysis and reflection of the learning, personal development as well as development of my knowledge of design thinking topics is given. In addition to this, I will develop an action plan of key activities and events that I can undertake over the next six months to gain any knowledge, skills and behaviors which is required for development. This reflection paper assignment is based on all the classroom lectures of design thinking which I learned during overall course. The reflection report would be helpful for me in analyzing my learning process in overall course duration. Along with this, the reflection paper is prepared on the basis of blog entries by describing the activities which were carried out in the class. There are 8 blogs in which the learning from week 2 to week 10 is recorded. Overall, the discussion and my learning throughout the classes are presented below. This reflection paper assignment presents the regular use of weekly blog along with 8 time-stamped meaningful blogs entries of overall term. In addition to this, the report also demonstrates of critical self-analysis along with reflection on knowledge and personal development which is directly associated to own behavior for identifying personal strengths and weaknesses.

Learning Reflections
From the classroom lectures, I had learned various concepts of design thinking which enhanced my knowledge for the innovation and design of projects. I learned that design thinking is crucial for our daily needs. Design thinking is basically a state of mind and anyone can achieve it. This is the process of redesign a business on the continuous basis by using insight derived from customer intimacy. Because of the lectures and class activities on design thinking, I have been able to acquire design thinking skills and put them into practice. In the weekly blog, I will go through the major takeaways which I have gathered from the course within the design thinking arena (Brown, 2008).

Meaning of Design thinking
Initially I was confused about the tutor and this unit but I started my classes at week 2 of Michael Burgess. After taking the classes, I found the unit helpful and supportive for me. I achieved proper knowledge about the design process, meaning of design process and how it actually takes place. I learned that the process of design is the way of dealing the projects in the manageable way. In the class, the video of IDEO shopping cart project was shown which was very helpful for me to get knowledge related to team work and generate the idea of design on individual basis (Harris & Ambrose, 2010). I learned that for working effectively, there is the need proper environment. In order to start the work at the initial level, I need to work do proper research on the topics and identify all the requirements in the project. In addition to this, I learned about the process of developing best design i.e. best solution should be chosen, the generated ideas should be gathered together, task should be completed and then get successful results (Brown, 2009).

Identification of core values and mindset
In the next week activity in class, we were involved in the activities of core values and mind set which are required for designers. I also got opportunity to identify my core values for becoming a designer. During the activities, I identified one of my weaknesses i.e. I became nervous when I need to start anything new. In addition to this, I had the lack of confidence to talk with new people. But, due to the activities, I became able to deal with the situation and I started the discussion about the topics. During the class activities, I learned about various definitions of design thinking process. By the video, I understood the design process more clearly. I learned that design theory is the informed decision making process by which I was able to do proper research. In simple words, this is the process of creation, plan or system to take knowledge and data and refine it to usable things. In addition to this, design is the way of thinking (Chloe, 2018). So, during this activity, I identified that I had one more weaknesses i.e. I was less creative as compared to others. So, it was required for me to do more research about the design topics. In addition to this, I also need a detailed planning ad conceptual planning for manner. So, by the class activities in week 3, I observed my various weaknesses so that I can address them and get the successful results.

Understanding design thinking tools
This week lecture was helpful for me to understand various design thinking tools in terms of brain storming and Journey Mapping. In this class, I learned about the principles of design thinking which enhanced my knowledge about design thinking. The principles of design thinking are observation, visualization and prototyping. By using the principles, I was able solve the problems related to design thinking. I gained knowledge design process which is helpful for me to understand the process of design thinking. In addition to this, I learned about the brain storming activities which developed my interests and involvement to understand the process of design thinking (Conway, Masters & Thorold, 2017).

Brainstorming- I learned about the process of brainstorming which is helpful in creating for me to develop new and innovative ideas. Brainstorming is an informal approach to solve the problems with design thinking. Brainstorming is helpful for me to come up with the thought and new ideas, So that I can get creative solutions for the problems. I learned that brainstorming is helpful providing open environment by which people can get motivated to participate in the design thinking process (Sprangers, 2016).

Journey mapping- In this class lecture, I achieved knowledge about customer journey maps by which I would be able to know about the experience of the customers i.e. initial contact by the process of engagement and long-term relationship. By the use of journey mapping, I would be able to know about entire experience of customers. Basically, it talks about motivations, and feelings of the users (Boag, 2018).

By completing such types of activities, I learned how I can solve one problem in multiple ways. In addition to this, I also learned about Journey mapping in which I can select the customers and identify the number of customers. There were number of examples given by my tutor to explain the process of journey mapping. So, by the this class lecture, I gained knowledge about the brainstorming and journey mapping which would be helpful for me in solving the problem in design thinking and need of the clients (Georgiev, 2016).

Learning value chain process
This workshop was done based on the process of value chain. At the initial level, I thought that value chain is the simple process or set of activities to deliver the services. But I was wrong in my own perception. I got to know that I need to perceive the value chain from the perspective of customers. I realized that value chain is not as simpler. Based on the given task by tutor I observed that I was not focusing on actual problems (Hacker, 2018). The reason is that I thought that value chain is very simple but I did not get success after various attempt. This was also one of my weaknesses of not focusing on actual problems. So, there was the need to understand the concept of value chain for my upcoming works (Schneider, 2017).

Knowledge about economical transactions
In the next class activity, I achieved the knowledge about economical transactions which are the part of research design. I observed my mistake in terms of economic transactions i.e. this is the exchange of value. In class, everyone had different viewpoints about economical transactions. In order make this concept understand, we were engaged in a listening activities. In the activity, I asked my friend about his problems and he also did the same by discussing the actual cause of the problems. Further, there was an observation activity and everyone had different view point and different solutions (Oxman, 2017).

By these activities, I got the opportunity to interact with others. By this class activity, I achieved the knowledge about design thinking tools in the design process. I learned that there is various design thinking tools i.e. mind map tool, rapid prototyping tool, assumption testing, customer co-creation, visualization and usability test tool etc. Each and every tool has different work in the process of design thinking i.e. allow new ideas for the projects.

Use of prototyping
This is the most important class lecture as in this lecture, I learned about the use of prototyping which is one of the essential design tools. There are various examples of prototype i.e. on paper and 2D etc. I learned that prototyping is helpful in making new ideas tangible for the potential partners and clients. This also includes user scenarios, experience journey and business concept which motivate the deep involvement by key stakeholders to give feedback. By the discussion of alternatives of prototype, I was able to know about alternatives i.e. robot hands and 3D printer etc (Khowala, 2017). I got to know about various techniques of prototyping including story boarding, paper prototyping and sketching etc. In addition to this, I was also involved in a project i.e. how to make the campus clean’. I enhanced my knowledge on prototyping b y observing the innovative ideas of other groups. So, I got effective knowledge about prototyping that it is the essential part of successful design thinking (Ogilvie & Liedtka, 2016).

Launching new product
Next week discussion was all about launching the product in the market. I gained the knowledge about role and importance of customers in the market and relationship between manufacturer and customers to achieve profit. Due to the lack of customer centric approach, businesses have to face failure as they do not prepare the products based on the requirements of the customers. So, I learned that it is important to gain proper knowledge about the key aspect of the market in which the product is going to be launched. In order to make my assessment successful, I achieved significant information about the needs of the customers (Osterwalder & Pigneur, 2014).

Presenting new ideas
At last, I prepared the presentation about my innovative ideas for unique businesses. I faced my weakness of nervousness while presenting the ideas before the tutor. My topic of unique business and innovate idea was ‘Pizza vending machine’ on which I need to work. I got positive feedback from tutor and with this, I overcome from my weakness i.e. nervousness, lack of creativity and less confidence.

Action plan: In order to achieve knowledge, skills and behavior for the development, personal action plan is as follows:

Conclusion
Based on the overall discussion in this reflection paper assignment, I can say that I learned that design thinking is crucial for our daily needs. Design thinking is basically a state of mind and anyone can achieve it. In this reflection paper assignment I identified my weaknesses and work on them to enhance my skills and knowledge. Further, I achieved proper knowledge about the design process, meaning of design process and how it actually takes place. I learned that the process of design is the way of dealing the projects in the manageable way. I learned that for working effectively, there is the need proper environment. In order to start the work at the initial level I have described in this reflection paper assignment that I need to work do proper research on the topics and identify all the requirements in the project. I learned that design theory is the informed decision making process by which I was able to do proper research. Further I discussed in this reflection paper assignment I learned about the principles of design thinking which enhanced my knowledge about design thinking. Overall, this unity was very helpful for me in achieving significant knowledge on design thinking and its process. Reflection paper assignments are being prepared by our management homework help experts from top universities which let us to provide you a reliable cheap assignment help service.

References
Boag, P. (2018). Customer Journey Mapping: Everything You Need to Know. Retrieved from https://www.sailthru.com/marketing-blog/written-customer-journey-mapping-need-to-know/

Brown, T. (2008). Design thinking. Harvard business review, 86(6), p.84.

Brown, T., 2009. Change by design : how design thinking transforms organizations and inspires innovation, New York: New York : Harper Business.

Chloe, (2018). The Most Complete Design Thinking Tools & Resource Collections. Retrieved from https://www.mockplus.com/blog/post/design-thinking-tools

Conway, R., Masters, J. & Thorold, J. (2017). From Design Thinking to Systems Change. Retrieved From https://www.thersa.org/globalassets/pdfs/reports/rsa_from-design-thinking-to-system-change-report.pdf

Georgiev, G. V. (2016). Design Thinking: An Overview. Retrieved From https://www.researchgate.net/publication/299456548_Design_Thinking_An_overview

Hacker, R. (2018). Design Thinking and Value Creation. Retrieved from https://medium.com/@rhhfla/design-thinking-and-value-creation-c8ee2889d350

Harris, P. & Ambrose, G. (2010). Design thinking. Retrieved from http://asimetrica.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/design-thinking.pdf

Khowala, D. (2017). Reflection: A Purpose for Each Prototype. Retrieved from https://medium.com/@dkhowala/reflection-a-purpose-for-each-prototype-65f610cdd85c

Ogilvie, T. & Liedtka, J. M. (2016). 10 Design thinking tools: turn creativity and data into growth. Retrieved from https://ideas.darden.virginia.edu/2016/07/10-design-thinking-tools-turn-creativity-and-data-into-growth/

Osterwalder, A., & Pigneur, Y., (2014). Value Proposition Design: How to Create Products and Services Customers Want, Hoboken : John Wiley & Sons, New Jersey.

Oxman, R. (2017). Thinking difference: Theories and models of parametric design thinking. Design Studies, 52, 4-39

Schneider, J. (2017). Understanding Design Thinking, Lean, and Agile. USA: O’Reilly Media

Sprangers, T. (2016). A simple Design Thinking approach to brainstorming. Retrieved from https://destinationthink.com/design-thinking-brainstorming/