Life by Design: Everyday Problem-Solving With a Creative Mindset

_{Author: Subaru is a design lead passionate about crafting impactful solutions through product design and research. Her versatile background spans visual, product, and branding design, with hands-on experience in eCommerce, logistics, and healthcare. Since joining Moon, she has embraced her curiosity and commitment to innovation to create designs that improve lives. Subaru’s professional interests center on design, product innovation, and aligning business strategy with creative solutions.}

I've had the opportunities of working with many people new to Design Thinking, and every time, it's been an exciting experience. Watching them unlock each phase of the process and seeing their "aha" moments always takes me back to when I first discovered Design Thinking. At first, it seemed like a complex methodology, but the more I practiced it, the more I realized it’s not some exclusive concept. It’s a way of thinking that anyone can master. In fact, once you get familiar with it, you’ll start seeing how naturally it fits into everyday life, making problem-solving more creative, engaging, and even fun.

Design Thinking in Everyday Life

When we hear "Design Thinking," we often associate it with business strategy or innovation — something structured and high-level. While it’s true that Design Thinking does involve a process, it can sometimes feel intimidating, making people hesitant to explore it.

But in reality, it’s not just for business; it’s a mindset for solving everyday challenges, both big and small. You can apply Design Thinking to:

• Boost Personal Productivity (e.g., redesign your daily routine for better focus).
• Improve Relationships & Communication (e.g., try new approaches to make family conversations more open and meaningful).
• Enhance Health & Well-Being (e.g., experiment with different meal plans or fitness routines to find what works best).
• Redesign Home Organization (e.g., create a more functional, clutter-free space).
• Develop Career & Learning Plans (e.g., strategize your next career move).

With Design Thinking, you can tackle any challenge you're currently facing. The beauty of it is that it’s all about experimenting, learning, and improving, one small step at a time.

Let’s Practice Together

By applying Design Thinking — from organizing schedules to improving communication — small experiments can make life smoother and more enjoyable. The best part? The more you practice, the more naturally you'll start thinking like a designer.

So, how do we apply Design Thinking in daily life? It starts with understanding the key phases:

• Empathize: Understand your own needs and those of others.
• Define: Clearly identify the problem.
• Ideate: Brainstorm creative solutions.
• Prototype: Test small changes.
• Test & Iterate: Learn from feedback and refine your approach.

Let us consider these as they apply to our daily lives. To illustrate that, I’d like to share a personal story.

Applying Design Thinking: My Back Pain Journey

A few months ago, I started experiencing serious back pain. Since I’m still in my 30s, people kept telling me it was too early to be dealing with body pain. But I knew I had to address it before it became a long-term issue.

Empathize & Define: Understanding the Problem

I began by defining my problem and asking myself key questions:

• Is my mattress too soft?
• Am I sitting too long at work?
• Do I have poor posture?

To get a better understanding, I visited a chiropractor near my neighborhood. After an assessment, I learned that my weak core muscles were making it difficult to maintain proper posture, which was worsening my back pain.

Ideate: Brainstorming Possible Solutions

With this insight, I started brainstorming ways to strengthen my core and relieve my pain. I wrote down ideas on sticky notes and stuck them to my door. After considering my options, I narrowed it down to three experiments to try over the next three months:

1. Regular Chiropractic Visits: Commit to sessions, motivated by the opportunity to try a new café near the clinic.
2. Daily Yoga at Home: Self-learn yoga and treat myself to a piece of chocolate as a small reward.
3. Joining a Mini-Gym: Follow a structured exercise plan and gradually level up.

Prototype & Test: Trying Different Approaches

For three months, I committed to testing these solutions. I tracked my progress, noted how I felt, and adjusted my routine as needed.

At the end of the experiment, I reviewed my notes and found that my back pain had significantly improved after consistently going to the gym. I felt more refreshed, had more energy for work and social activities, and was motivated to continue leveling up my training goals.

Iterate: The Journey Continues

Now that I’ve seen progress, my next challenge is figuring out the best way to stay motivated and push my training goals further. My prototyping and testing are still ongoing.

I’m continuously refining my approach to make sure I maintain a sustainable and effective health routine.

Tips To Start Thinking Creatively Today

After hearing my story, you might be wondering: how can I start my own Design Thinking project? The best way is to start small: pick one area of your life and run a fun, low-pressure experiment. The key is to stay open to failure and iteration. Remember, the goal isn’t perfection. It’s learning and improving along the way.

If you’re unsure where to begin or feel hesitant to tackle it alone, try involving others! Co-creating solutions with family, friends, or colleagues can boost your confidence and make the process more enjoyable. You don’t have to do it all by yourself.

So, are you ready to take on your first Design Thinking challenge? What small problem in your daily life could use a creative, design-driven solution?