Design Thinking

This book aims to provide readers with an in-depth understanding of design thinking by documenting the personal insights of professionals and practitioners from a wide range of disciplines. Design Thinking: Theory and Practice refers to a series of cognitive, strategic, and practical steps used during the process of designing, and the context of how people reason when they engage with solving problems. The scope of this book focuses on topics such as problem-solving, systems thinking, innovation, and the role of design in product design and services. This book is unique as it brings together "stories" from both academics’ and practitioners’ perspectives, enabling readers to view design thinking from many different perspectives that can be applied in every-day life situations or for organizations when developing plans and policies. This book would be essential reading for design engineers, industrial designers, and mechanical engineers who have interest in design thinking.

Eujin Pei began his career as a Product Designer, with his work exhibited at the Cooper Hewitt Smithsonian Design Museum in New York. He now works as a Full Professor and serves as Associate Dean for the College of Engineering, Design and Physical Sciences at Brunel University of London, UK. Since 2015, Eujin has been the Director of the BSc Product Design Engineering course, where he leads its development and ensures graduates are equipped with the skills to excel in a rapidly evolving industry. Before this, he served as Director for Postgraduate Research, where he played a key role in maintaining academic standards and promoting excellence among PhD students. Eujin is a Fellow of the Institution of Engineering Designers (FIED), and his professional qualifications include being a Chartered Engineer (CEng), Chartered Environmentalist (CEnv), and Chartered Technological Product Designer (CTPD). His work reflects a strong commitment to innovation, sustainability, and the advancement of technology in design and engineering.Kurt Becker spent his career as an engineering and technology educator and has extensive international experience working on engineering education and technical training projects funded by the Asian Development Bank, World Bank, and U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID). Countries where he has worked include Armenia, Bangladesh, Bulgaria, China, Egypt, Indonesia, Macedonia, Poland, Romania, and Thailand. Kurt is Professor Emeritus in the College of Engineering at Utah State University (USU) where he spent 30 years working in the discipline of engineering education. He was department head and founder of the Department of Engineering Education at USU. His research in engineering education spans more than three decades, and his work preparing Ph.D. students to be the next generation of leaders and researchers demonstrates his commitment to the discipline. While in the College of Engineering at USU he stated the National Academy of Engineering endorsed, “Grand Challenges Scholars Program”. This program provides undergraduate engineering students with curricular and co-curricular activities while being mentored by engineering faculty. Kurt’s work in engineering education and design thinking is a tribute to his dedication to the field of engineering and technology.