Humanising The Workplace: The Design Thinking Approach to Workplace Design

Design Thinking has now become a game-changer in solving complex problems across industries. Let’s delve into how it is shaping the future of human-centred workplace design.

What is Design Thinking?

Design thinking is a problem-solving approach that prioritises the needs and experiences of users above all else. It’s ‘human-centred,’ meaning it relies on real evidence of how users actually interact with a product or service, rather than relying on assumptions or organisational beliefs. Titir Dey, Global Managing Director - Design, Space Matrix defines it as;

"problem-solving framework used by innovators and change makers. It's more than just a process – it’s about empathy, brainstorming, and trying things out. It's not a straight line, but a loop where you revisit different stages to arrive at innovative solutions that are not only effective but also user-friendly."

This approach empowers anyone, not just designers, to tackle ill-known/wicked challenges using creative tools. It's not a rigid process, but rather a mindset that emphasises empathy, experimentation, and iteration.

Embracing The Design Thinking Mindset

Design thinking is more than just a process; it's a way of thinking. At its core, it's about cultivating a playful, curious, and empathetic mindset. By stepping outside of our comfort zones, challenging assumptions, and approaching problems from unconventional perspectives, we can unlock innovative solutions.

In the workplace, design thinking empowers us to believe that even the most complex business challenges can be overcome by deeply understanding the needs and desires of our employees. Imagine a workplace where every day is an opportunity for discovery, where the toughest business problems are seen as stepping stones to groundbreaking solutions.

Why is it so crucial? As humans, we're limited by our knowledge, unable to conceive of things we don't believe are possible. This hinders our ability to ask for what doesn't yet exist. Design Thinking helps uncover these unknown pain points and insights, often leading to non-obvious, innovative solutions.

Design Thinking & Workplace Design: A Human-Centred Approach

Before embarking on the implementation of design thinking principles in workplace design or any other context, it's crucial to define your end goal. What specific outcome are you aiming to achieve? The design thinking process seeks to fulfil three key criteria:

Desirability

In workplace design, the design thinking process starts by deeply understanding business needs and what employees seek. A powerful example of this approach is Space Matrix's work with SCOR to design and build their Singapore office.

By employing design thinking principles, we conducted in-depth exercises such as visioning and focus groups to gain invaluable insights into SCOR's leadership’s vision and employees' desires. Through these sessions, our intent was to get exclusive insights into what would make SCOR’s new workplace exceptional. We looked at people’s needs and expectations from different lenses, including quality, wellbeing, convenience, etc. Through this human-centred approach, we were able to uncover what SCOR's employees truly desired, going beyond assumptions and organisational preconceptions. Which further helped our designer and workplace strategists to identify key drivers for our workplace design strategy, ensuring that we develop a solution that genuinely met their needs and enhanced their overall work experience.

Feasibility

In this phase, we'll utilise our gathered insights to assess the feasibility of various ideas. Our objective is to identify all potential opportunities and prioritise them based on their significance. For example, during our WX workshop with SCOR, a majority of participants expressed a strong preference for dedicated wellness and relaxation areas. Additionally, a significant number highlighted the importance of free hydration and snack options in their new workspace. Through further exploration and creative brainstorming, we concluded that wellness and relaxation spaces would be more valuable and beneficial to employees, our OneSCOR culture, and the overall business.

Viability

With a desirable and feasible solution at hand, the only thing left to do is doing it right so that the intended outcome or end goal is achieved. Circling back to the SCOR story, the end goal for the brand was to transform the traditional workplace into a dynamic and interactive environment that supports SCOR's vision and values, attracts and retains talent, and fosters a sense of unity and purpose among its employees. Did they make it? Find out for yourself.

Mindful Innovation at SCOR's New Singapore Workplace: Discover how design thinking empowered SCOR to foster a culture of mindful innovation and strengthen their OneSCOR identity in their new Singapore office.

Traditionally, companies often start with feasibility or viability and then attempt to find a problem that fits their solution. Design thinking flips this approach, advocating that teams begin by understanding the needs of employees and then consider feasibility and viability later in the process. This human-centred approach ensures that workplace design solutions are not only practical and sustainable but also genuinely meet the needs of those who use them. Additionally, here are some key benefits of implementing design thinking in workplace strategy:

Humanising the Workplace

By understanding the needs, desires, and behaviours of your employees, you can create a workplace that feels genuinely human. This involves going beyond the surface level and delving into the emotional and psychological factors that influence employee well-being.