Design thinking:
the art of sustainable innovation
Emerging technologies are reshaping how we develop cutting-edge solutions across industries. Success, however, goes beyond just technical excellence. Even the most meticulously engineered products can face challenges at launch. So, what sets the successful ones apart?
The key isn’t just about innovation but also about user adoption, and adaptability to changing needs. As the Internet of Things (IoT) integrates seamlessly into our daily lives—from health-monitoring smartwatches to energy-efficient smart thermostats—the true mark of a product’s success is its ability to create a meaningful impact on users’ lives.
IoT holds tremendous potential to revolutionise industries and foster sustainable practices, but its true power is unlocked when combined with the user-centric approach of Design Thinking. By placing the user at the center of the development process, Design Thinking helps us not only solve technical challenges but also craft solutions that are intuitive, adaptable, and truly beneficial for the people who use them.
Let’s dive into how Design Thinking principles can drive innovation in our tech-centric and sustainability-focused world.
What is design thinking and why it matters in our evolving landscape
A human-centered approach to problem-solving that emphasizes understanding user needs, brainstorming solutions, prototyping ideas, and iterating based on feedback. This methodology is crucial in the dynamic realm of IoT, where diverse user demands, complex data from millions of devices, and the drive for sustainability present unique challenges.
Design thinking, bolstered by a focus on sustainability, offers a powerful framework to overcome these challenges, by:
Creative problem solving: Design thinking facilitates the generation of diverse ideas and solutions by embracing fresh perspectives and exploring multiple possibilities.
Focusing on user needs first: Design thinking goes beyond surface-level functionalities. It encourages developers to understand user pain points and desired outcomes, striking a balance between technical feasibility and user needs.
Encouraging rapid prototyping and iteration: Design thinking promotes the creation of quick, low-fidelity prototypes – basic, quick-to-build models – for early user testing and feedback loops leading to more user-friendly and effective solutions.
Facilitating cross-disciplinary collaboration: Bringing together diverse perspectives – developers, engineers, designers, and sustainability experts – while developing the solution, allows for a holistic approach that considers user needs, technical aspects, and the overall impact.
Five stages of design thinking
We’re delving into the five stages of Design Thinking, that ensures solutions are both innovative and user-centric. Each stage builds upon the last, refining the solution to meet user needs effectively. As a case study, we’ll provide a detailed stage-by-stage breakdown of a Softdel innovation developed in collaboration with a leading global manufacturer of connectivity products. The goal was to expand their business by launching a state-of-the-art smart lighting system designed to integrate seamlessly into various smart commercial spaces, from contemporary workplaces to healthcare centers.
Empathise
Stage 1 starts with an empathetic dive into the user’s world to understand their needs and frustrations.
Softdel conducted a thorough investigation into the customer’s needs and their end-users. We identified that facility managers focused on energy efficiency, while occupants sought better lighting for health and productivity.
Define
This stage involves analyzing and synthesizing the information from the ‘Empathize’ phase to define the core problems and frame a human-centered problem statement.
By understanding the diverse needs of the customer’s user base, we defined the problem’s uniqueness and impact on various commercial spaces. Our problem statement became: How can we create an energy-efficient smart lighting system that optimizes energy use, enhances occupant comfort and health, and addresses challenges in personalized lighting control and energy savings?
Ideate
In the ideation phase, you’re ready to generate creative solutions to the problem. This exciting stage of the design thinking process encourages limitless ideas—nothing is off the table, and the possibilities are boundless.
Building on the insights from earlier stages, the team engaged in brainstorming sessions to generate and explore a variety of innovative ideas. These ranged from sensor-based tracking to adaptive lighting controls and customizable settings. The concepts were refined and prototyped, all aimed at enhancing efficiency and meeting user-centric goals.
Prototype
In the fourth stage, the final idea, or ideas, are turned into prototypes to visualise and test the solution.
The Softdel team developed smart lighting prototypes using IoT technology, featuring energy-efficient LEDs, occupancy sensors, and real-time control platforms. These were tested in controlled environments for energy savings, user comfort, and adaptability. We also explored cloud-based controls for enhanced energy optimization and customization.
Test
Finally, at the last stage, prototypes are tested with end users to gather feedback and refine any problem areas. Based on the testing results, the prototypes are refined and iterated upon.
Prior to field deployment, we rigorously tested the prototypes in a simulated environment within our Softdel IoT Labs. In the next phase, we installed the solutions in select buildings to evaluate their real-world performance. Facility managers and occupants interacted with the system, providing valuable feedback on its ease of use, comfort, and energy savings. Any identified issues, such as calibration or system responsiveness, were promptly addressed, and the system was further optimised based on the insights gained from these field trials.
Discover the smart lighting solution Softdel created integrating PoE-enabled sensors and gateways to enhance energy efficiency and create healthier environments with real-time reporting and predictive maintenance.
The Design Thinking process yields three key outcomes:
- Development of theories, prototypes, and continuous testing and refinement.
- A strong focus on addressing user needs.
- Streamlining processes by eliminating repetitive or unnecessary steps for simplicity.
Sustainable design thinking
When applied to sustainability, design thinking becomes a powerful tool for addressing environmental challenges, driving social impact, and fostering economic resilience. Sustainable design thinking integrates environmental considerations into the design process —ensuring that the solutions not only meet human needs but also minimise environmental footprints and promote long-term ecological health.
In a world where technology and sustainability intersect, Design Thinking offers a powerful approach to driving meaningful, lasting change. By focusing on human-centered design, we can build products that solve real problems, use resources wisely, and contribute to a more sustainable future. It’s not just about keeping up with trends—it’s about shaping a better tomorrow through thoughtful, purposeful innovation.
Learn more about Softdel’s IoT Labs: https://staging.softdel.com/iot-labs/
Get in touch with Softdel or email us at info@softdel.com to craft your IoT innovations in a sustainable way with design thinking approach.
