How to Use Design Thinking to Solve Everyday Problems:
A Step-by-Step Guide
When you hear the words design thinking, you might picture tech companies brainstorming their next big app, or creative teams sketching out futuristic products. But here’s the secret: design thinking isn’t just for designers. It’s a human-centered, creative problem-solving approach you can use in your daily life—whether you’re dealing with work stress, family dynamics, or just trying to get through your morning routine without chaos.
Let’s break down how the design thinking process can actually make everyday life easier (and maybe even a little more fun).
Step 1: Start With Empathy
The first step in design thinking is all about empathy—understanding people’s needs before rushing into solutions. Imagine you’re frustrated because your partner keeps forgetting to take out the trash. Instead of jumping straight to annoyance, pause and think: why might this be happening? Maybe their work schedule is exhausting, or maybe they honestly don’t realize it matters that much to you. By putting yourself in their shoes, you’ll find kinder, more effective solutions.
Step 2: Redefine the Problem
Here’s the thing—sometimes the problem we think we’re facing isn’t the real problem. For example, you might say, “I don’t have time to exercise.” But is it really about time? Or is it about not enjoying the type of workouts you’ve tried? Once you reframe it as “I haven’t found a form of movement I enjoy,” new options open up—like dancing in your living room or going for a walk while listening to a podcast. Redefining challenges is a key part of the design thinking process.
Step 3: Get Creative With Ideas
Design thinking encourages creative brainstorming—lots of it. No idea is too silly at this stage. Let’s say you’re always running late in the mornings. Instead of only thinking, “I should wake up earlier,” you could brainstorm everything from prepping breakfast at night, to laying out clothes in advance, to setting a playlist that gets you moving faster. The point is to generate options you can test out.
Step 4: Prototype Small Changes
Here’s where design thinking really shines: you don’t have to overhaul your entire life at once. Instead, you prototype—try out small experiments. Want a calmer morning? Test just one change, like making coffee the night before. See how it feels. If it works, great. If not, adjust and try something else.Prototyping life changes makes problem-solving less overwhelming.
Step 5: Embrace Iteration (a Fancy Word for “Try Again”)
Life isn’t about getting it perfect on the first try—and design thinking reminds us of that. Maybe your first budgeting system doesn’t stick. That’s not failure—it’s feedback. Tweak it and test again. This iterative problem-solving mindset takes away the pressure and makes creative solutions more forgiving (and honestly, more fun).
Step 6: Ask for Input
Another underrated part of design thinking is collaboration. Sometimes, the best solutions come from outside your own head. Struggling with meal planning? Ask your kids what they’d like for dinner. Stuck on a work challenge? Get a fresh perspective from a colleague. Different viewpoints often spark creative solutions you wouldn’t think of alone.
Step 7: See Problems as Opportunities
Once you start thinking like a designer, challenges stop feeling like dead ends. That long, boring commute? A perfect time to dive into podcasts or practice mindfulness. That messy kitchen? A chance to co-create new habits with your family. With a little creativity, problems turn into opportunities for growth (or at least less frustration).
Design thinking isn’t just for innovators—it’s for anyone who wants to solve problems in a more human, creative way. By empathizing, redefining challenges, experimenting with small changes, and learning as you go, you can redesign parts of your everyday life to work better for you.
So the next time you’re stuck on a problem, try asking yourself:
“How would a designer approach this?” You might be surprised at how quickly new solutions show up.
Want to learn how to think like a designer? Contact Artiste 360 to get started! We’ll help you build creative thinking skills and use design thinking for everyday problem solving.