Design Thinking Project
Co-Designing Solutions Through Workshops
for Wicked Problems
Using the design thinking process to co-create actionable solutions
Services
YEAR
Services
YEAR
Secondary Research | Research METHODOLOGIES | QUALITATIVE RESEARCH | DESIGN THINKING methods | DATA ANALYSIS | Stakeholder Needs | STakeholder Mapping | STAKEHOLDER INTERVIEWS | Workshop Facilitation | infographic + VIsual Mapping | REPORT WRITING | REPORT DESIGN |
2025
Research METHODOLOGIES | QUALITATIVE RESEARCH | DESIGN THINKING methods | DATA ANALYSIS | Stakeholder Needs | STakeholder Mapping |STAKEHOLDER INTERVIEWS | Workshop Facilitation | infographic + VIsual Mapping | REPORT WRITING | REPORT DESIGN
2025
Services
YEAR
Secondary Research | Research METHODOLOGIES | QUALITATIVE RESEARCH | DESIGN THINKING methods | DATA ANALYSIS | Stakeholder Needs | STakeholder Mapping | STAKEHOLDER INTERVIEWS | Workshop Facilitation | infographic + VIsual Mapping | REPORT WRITING | REPORT DESIGN |
2025
How can we shift organizational mindsets towards adaptability, collaboration, and continuous innovation?
When used intentionally, design thinking not only generates solutions but also shifts organizational mindsets toward adaptability, collaboration, and continuous innovation.
>> Empathize
Dive into the challenge and use empathy to understand users, uncovering hidden and latent needs.
>> Ideate
Generate bold, unconventional ideas that are feasible, desirable, and viable to address identified opportunities.
>> Create
Rapidly prototype and co-create with users to test concepts, gather feedback, and refine solutions.
>> Evolve
Continuously improve solutions, define success metrics, and scale what works for lasting impact
DESIGN THINKING FOR WICKED PROBLEMS
Design thinking offers a powerful approach to navigating complex, ambiguous challenges that are difficult to solve through linear methods. By applying design thinking, organizations can foster a culture of creativity and experimentation, leading to innovative solutions that positively influence both their top line and bottom line.
TO address wicked problems effectively
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Leverage Design Thinking Tools: Apply frameworks that support problem framing, ideation, prototyping, and iteration.
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Engage in Hands-On Activities: Participate in exercises that bring the design thinking mindset to life, encouraging collaboration and shared understanding.
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Master Core Concepts: Develop skills in empathy, brainstorming, prototyping, and storytelling to uncover deep insights and create human-centered, actionable solutions.
DESIGN THINKING wORkSHOP FRAMING
Applying the design thinking process to co-create human-centered solutions for wicked problems and align stakeholders on clear, actionable next steps for implementation.
Purpose: Set the tone, establish shared goals, and align participants.
Activities:
Welcome + Introductions
Brief overview of research project
Introduction to Design Thinking Framework (Empathize, Define, Ideate, Prototype, Implement)
Workshop Objectives + Expected Outcomes
Purpose: Build a shared understanding of the system project and leverage points for change.
Process:
Create a stakeholder map in groups, identify pain points, missed opportunities, intervention points
Use post-its or digital tools (Miro/MURAL) to cluster findings
Output: Shared view of system-level barriers and opportunities
Purpose: Reframe system challenges as opportunities for innovation.
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Process:
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Explore multiple How Might We (HMW) questions
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Share and cluster questions in group
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Vote/consensus on 1–2 key questions to take forward
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Output: Clear, actionable design challenge(s)
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Purpose: Generate a wide range of solutions, then prioritize.
Process:
Brainstorm ideas
Share and group ideas on a Impact vs. Feasibility Matrix/ Dot Voting/ Silent Voting etc. if needed
Select one High Impact + High Feasibility solution for prototyping
Output: A short list of high-potential solutions
Purpose: Visualize and communicate the solution concept.
Process:
Create low-fidelity prototypes (sketches, process flows, mock policies, storyboards)
Focus on core value: what problem is solved, for whom, and why it matters
Output: Tangible concept representation
Purpose: Translate concept into an actionable plan
Process:
Backcasting: Define long-term vision, then work backward to identify milestones
Resource Mapping: Human, financial, infrastructure, policy requirements
Capture next steps for pilot or scaling, while also assigning roles and responsibilities
Output: Clear roadmap with ownership and timelines
Purpose: Cross-pollinate ideas and refine solutions.
Process:
Each group presents its prototype and roadmap
Participants offer clarifying questions and constructive feedback
Capture recommendations for improvement
Output: Iterated solutions ready for consideration by decision-makers
Purpose: Close the loop, gather insights, and set next steps.
Activities:
Reflection round: “What inspired you today?”
Capture key learnings + commitments
Outline follow-up actions
WHY DOES DESIGN THINKING WORK for Wicked Problems
• Multi-perspective approach: Includes stakeholders across the system
• Iterative process: Allows for learning and adaptation as new insights emerge
• Action-oriented: Moves from empathy to pilots, not just discussion
• Consensus-driven: Builds shared ownership, critical for systemic change
PROJECT
Co-Designing Solutions for Food Loss & Waste through Circular Economy
CLIENT: Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada (SSHRC)
Collaboration: Ocad university + Carleton university (Canada)
Duration: (Half-day format) Online + Inperson
Participants: 8–12 stakeholders from diverse sectors (retail, food rescue, waste management, policy, research, etc.)
OUTCOME: The research report was prepared as Phase 3 Workshop Report summary of a multi-year SSHRC Imagining Canada’s Future Ideas Lab (ICFIL) project entitled “No Waste? Know More! Igniting behaviours for circularity in the food supply chain.”
Co-Designing Solutions for Food Loss & Waste through Circular Economy Principles
Use the design thinking process to co-create actionable solutions to address food loss and waste in the retail food system:
The goal was to bring together key actors from across the food system—grocery retail, food rescue, food service, waste management, governance, and academia—to collaboratively:
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Co-formulate the problem of food loss and waste from multiple perspectives.
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Generate tangible, scalable solutions that align with circular economy principles.
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Identify systemic barriers and enablers to accelerate FLW prevention and reduction.
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Create a roadmap for next steps including pilots, policy, and cultural interventions.
DESIGN THINKING
WORKSHOP FACILITATOR + GRAPHIC DESIGNER
As a Research Team Associate, I leveraged my experience with design thinking workshops to spark behaviours that support circularity in the food supply chain, while collaboratively unpacking key challenges and systemic barriers. Working with a transdisciplinary research team across five Canadian universities and multiple academic disciplines, I played a key role in stakeholder management, co-designing the workshop format, and facilitating sessions. I was instrumental in embedding a participatory approach into the research, particularly by introducing measurability and feasibility considerations into the design thinking process.
In addition to workshop design and facilitation, I developed the research documentation by drawing on my graphic design skills and experience to create clear, visually compelling artifacts that captured workshop outcomes and made complex systems easier to understand for diverse stakeholders. Acting as a facilitator taught me how to balance divergent viewpoints, hold space for productive dialogue, and guide participants toward consensus.
This project brought together three core areas of practice—design thinking, participatory design, and systems thinking—enabling me to anchor problem-solving in deep listening, open dialogue, and human-centered empathy.
Due to the ongoing nature of this work, the project cannot yet be publicly showcased, as it is still underway and evolving.
The project cannot be showcased due to the ongoing nature of this work, as it is still underway and evolving. The research report was prepared as Phase 3 workshop report summary of a multi-year SSHRC Imagining Canada’s Future Ideas Lab (ICFIL) project entitled “No Waste? Know More! Igniting Behaviours for Circularity in the Food Supply Chain.”
DURATION - JAN 2025 TO SEP 2025
ImageS - Freepik, Unsplash