Whether you call it user-centred, people-centred, or human-centred design, those organisations that are closest to their customers are the ones that succeed in creating successful products and services. Come learn practical tools to apply design thinking in your own business at two upcoming mini-workshops organised by Meet for Real and delivered by Justin Knecht of the Centre for Design Innovation.

Register for the 10th of October in Cork, or the 17th of October in Galway.

What have we been up to over the few weeks between this and our last blog post? Doing a lot of thinking about service and pulling together a day-long workshop to help organisations better understand the why, what and how of service design. One of numerous tools we experimented with was the ubiquitous napkin sketch. In order to make up for the gap in posts, here are PDF downloads of the card decks we give to participants from all three of our workshops:

• User-centred Design (170KB)
• Why Brand? (241KB)
• Why Service? (217KB)

You also might like to read about the “revival” of the napkin sketch over at FastCompany.

Design Delivers

The first half of the day focuses on user-centred design; what it is, why it is important to your business and how to do it. You’ll be taken through a straight-forward process of applying user-centred design (Identify, Look, Involve, Try, Plan). Each step will be illustrated using tools that can be applied after the workshop. Why would you want to invest resources to develop ideas or services your customers don’t want or need?

The second half of the day will focus on branding. Branding adds value to your business, helps you differentiate your offering from the competition and helps you connect with your customers. A brand is not a logo or an identity, it is much more. You will learn why branding is important to your business, as well as the components that make up successful brands. Convey your message more effectively and consistently. Sell your products and services at a premium. Attract better customers, distributors, partners, suppliers and staff.

What have past participants said about the day?
“Practical tools to bring back to the workplace.”
“This kind of seminar should be available as soon as you enter into business. Day one.”
“Informative and essential for any discerning SME who wants to drive value in their business.”
“Like the interaction exercises … I hate sitting and listening for hours solid. Thanks.”
“It has taken the blinkers off to what design can be and do for the business.”

Why should I care?
Research conducted by the Centre has proven that Irish businesses who use design innovate more often, more effectively and compete less on price. Companies that integrate design at the highest strategic levels are 2.5 times more successful than those that do not yet only 15% of organisations use design at this level. Why? One of the reasons may be they just don’t know how. Begin to learn how during this one-day workshop.

How much does it cost?
The event is fully subsidised by the BMW Assembly and is free of charge to organisations in the BMW region of Ireland.

Is one day enough time to learn this?
Our goal at the Centre is to help demystify the design process and provide tools that allow you to use design thinking for yourselves. When it is time to undertake more detailed work you will feel more confident and empowered to brief the appropriate expert to provide you with further support. You’ll get a lot of value from the day.

Where and when will it take place?
The workshop will be run three times, with the second session taking place Tuesday, April 29th, from 10-4PM at the offices of the Centre Design Innovation, Room G1003, Business Innovation Centre, Institute of Technology Sligo campus. Please RSVP to Justin Knecht, Programme Manager, justin@designinnovation.ie.