How might we develop smart technological solutions for fast lifestyles and envision the future of mobile and internet applications?
This is the innovation challenge that students following a Masters degree in Creativity & Innovation at The Edward de Bono Institute had the opportunity to explore in a workshop about design thinking and its use in generating new ideas and innovations. The workshop was organised on 4 December 2019, in collaboration with GO plc. and TinkTings.com. In the workshop, students were challenged to think about how innovative mobile and internet applications could contribute to developing smart homes and smart technological solutions.
Ms Marisa Abela Gatt and Ms Rhona Friggieri, customer experience specialists at GO plc. lead design thinking initiatives at GO plc., having trained over two hundred GO employees over the past year. They explained the importance of embedding design thinking as a mindset and applying its tools to practice. The challenges linked to big data, 5G and cloud computing were illustrated by GO plc. chief technical officer, Dr. Eng. Joseph Attard who also provided an overview of the innovative systems that GO plc. is developing for its customers. Dr. Lisa Pace, lecturer at the Edward de Bono Institute, believes that students are empowered to engage with the innovation process through hands-on experiences: “By going through the entire design thinking process of defining the problem and understanding user needs and expectations, students can effectively engage with the innovation process to identify tangible solutions”.
Design thinking is a practice that can assist managers and entrepreneurs in addressing real-world problems. Ms. Corinne Fenech, founder and consultant at TinkTings.com believes that “the exciting journey for design thinking in Malta is just starting. I look forward to all the changes that will enable sustainable business and society”.