Lessons from Design Thinking for Documentary Filmmakers

Below are a few key resources on the design thinking process. In the coming months I'll be researching this further; check back here for updates. Also check out our previous reports on impact assessment for public interest media: Investing in Impact and Spreading the Zing.

 Human-Centered Design Toolkit

Commissioned as part of a project funded by the Gates Foundation, this guide was developed by experts at IDEO, who have been central to championing the design thinking process. This free toolkit is designed for NGOs working in impoverished communities, but offers a range of useful tips for user-centered design and socially relevant problem-solving.

Change by Design

IDEO CEO Tim Brown describes the evolution of the design thinking process, and offers case studies, concrete steps, and tips for implementing it in both corporate and nonprofit settings.

Stanford's d.school

Stanford faculty and students are actively experimenting with design thinking for solving myriad complex problems at their Institute of Design (known as the d.school). See their Bootcamp Bootleg toolkit for hands-on exercises for  user-centered research, brainstorming and prototyping.