History of Design Thinking and Arcturus IV Case Study

History of Design Thinking

• Design thinking has roots dating back to the 1950s, originally termed "creative engineering."
• John Arnold, a professor at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), was instrumental in this approach.
• Arnold proposed that creativity could be cultivated in a classroom setting, challenging the belief that it was an innate ability found only among "gifted" individuals.
• He utilized science fiction as a teaching tool to spark curiosity and encourage imaginative thinking about the future.
• Students were encouraged to consider perspectives beyond their own cultural contexts to avoid design thinking mistakes.

Arcturus IV Case Study

• The Arcturus IV case study served as a key learning exercise in Arnold's curriculum.
• Arcturus is a star located 33 light years away from Earth in the constellation Bootes.
• Students were tasked with envisioning a small civilization on the fourth planet from Arcturus, 1,000 years in the future.
• The fictional MIT Intergalactic Travel Company was created for the exercise, focused on engaging with alien life forms, the Methanians.
• Methanians were depicted as having significant biological differences: three fingers on each hand, three eyes (one able to see X-rays), and adapted to a methane-rich atmosphere.

Environmental and Cultural Differences

• The environmental conditions on Arcturus IV included extreme temperatures: average summer -50°C and winter -110°C.
• The gravitational force on Arcturus IV is 11 times stronger than that of Earth, dramatically affecting physical capabilities.
• The industrial development on Arcturus IV was minimal, with residents using basic vehicles akin to scooters.
• Arnold's approach emphasized the necessity for students to think outside their familiar contexts and adapt their design thinking to vastly different scenarios and cultures.