Design thinking and computational thinking: a dual process model for addressing design problems

Abstract

This paper proposes a relationship between design thinking and computational thinking. It describes design thinking and computational thinking as two prominent ways of understanding how people address design problems. It suggests that, currently, each of design thinking and computational thinking is defined and theorized in isolation from the other. A two-dimensional ontological space of the ways that people think in addressing problems is proposed, based on the orientation of the thinker towards problem and solution generality/specificity. Placement of design thinking and computational thinking within this space and discussion of their relationship leads to the suggestion of a dual process model for addressing design problems. It suggests that, in this model, design thinking and computational thinking are processes that are ontological mirror images of each other, and are the two processes by which thinkers address problems. Thinkers can move fluently between the two. The paper makes a contribution towards the theoretical foundations of design thinking and proposes questions about how design thinking and computational thinking might be both investigated and taught as constituent parts of a dual process.

From Science Fiction to Science Facts

“…Figure 2 shows how the digital architect is possible with varying functions. The architecture design process can be automated if design thinking and computational thinking can be harmonized [38].…”

A call to expand disciplinary boundaries so that social scientific imagination and practice are central to quests for ‘responsible’ digital agri‐food innovation

“…Examples of such experimental research ‘entry points’ can be found in existing work (Carolan, 2017; Eastwood et al., 2019; Jakku et al., 2019; Regan, 2019; Roberts & Townsend, 2015). As others have found, synergies across sociological and HCD disciplines can help create the time and space to be productively critical of the implications of a proposed digital ‘solution’ and suggest alterations or alternative options (Ditzler et al., 2018; Kelly & Gero, 2021; Rose et al., 2018).…”

Dijital Tasarım Çağında Doğaçlama Yaparak Öğrenmek

“…Buna karşıt, hesaplamalı us yürütmede, tasarım, problem çözümlerinden daha geneldir, herhangi bir ek düşünme olmaksızın yeni problemlere uygulanabilir. Soyutlama, hesaplamalı us yürütme için gerekli olan temel bilişsel yetenektir (Kelly & Gero, 2021).…”

“…Minimal ifadeler üreten pratik düşüme, hesaplamalı us yürütme ile soyutlama ve soyut düşünme yöntemleri ile ilişkilenir. Soyutlama, tanımlı durumlardan daha genel kalıplara geçmeyi, verileri filtrelerken, temel unsurlarını korumayı amaçlayan bir düşünme yöntemidir (Kelly & Gero, 2021). Bir tasarımcının soyut düşünme yaklaşımı, bir bilgisayar bilimcisinin yanında oldukça kavramsal kalır.…”