About this previous year paper
KOE077 – DESIGN THINKING
B.Tech (SEM VII) – Theory Examination
Time: 3 Hours | Max Marks: 100
SECTION A
(Attempt all questions in brief – 2 × 10 = 20 marks)
a. What is Design Thinking?
Design Thinking is a human-centered problem-solving approach that focuses on understanding user needs, generating creative ideas, prototyping solutions, and testing them to solve real-world problems innovatively.
b. Define Innovation and Creativity.
Creativity is the ability to generate new and original ideas.
Innovation is the practical implementation of creative ideas to create value or solve problems.
c. What do you understand by I (self)?
“I (self)” refers to an individual’s self-awareness, beliefs, values, emotions, and identity, which influence thinking, behavior, and decision-making.
d. What is Actualization?
Actualization is the process of turning ideas, desires, or potential into reality through action, effort, and implementation.
e. Define Target Groups.
Target groups are specific users or audiences for whom a product, service, or solution is designed, based on needs, behavior, age, or context.
f. Write about Idea Generation.
Idea generation is the creative process of producing multiple possible solutions to a problem using techniques like brainstorming, mind mapping, and lateral thinking.
g. What is Critical Thinking?
Critical thinking is the ability to analyze, evaluate, and reason logically to make informed decisions rather than accepting information blindly.
h. State about Tribalism.
Tribalism is a mindset where individuals show strong loyalty to their own group, often leading to bias, exclusion, and resistance to new ideas.
i. What is a Logic Condition?
A logic condition is a rule or principle that determines whether an argument or statement is valid or true based on logical reasoning.
j. Define Scientific Reasoning.
Scientific reasoning is a systematic method of thinking that uses observation, experimentation, evidence, and logical analysis to reach conclusions.
SECTION B
(Attempt any three – solved answers provided for ALL)
2(a). Discuss 13 Musical Notes for Design Mindset in Management
The 13 Musical Notes of Design Mindset represent key attitudes required for creative management, such as empathy, curiosity, optimism, collaboration, experimentation, learning from failure, adaptability, visualization, simplicity, storytelling, feedback, systems thinking, and ethical responsibility.
Together, they create harmony in problem-solving, similar to musical notes creating melody.
2(b). Describe the gap between desires and actualization with example
Desires represent what people want, while actualization is the realization of those desires.
Gap example: A student desires to become an entrepreneur but lacks planning and execution skills. Design Thinking bridges this gap by converting desire into actionable steps like ideation, prototyping, and testing business models.
2(c). What are the Idea Generation – basic design directions?
Basic design directions include: User-centered thinking
Problem reframing Divergent thinking
Convergent thinking Experimentation
Iteration
These directions help in generating innovative and feasible ideas.
2(d). Explain the difference between critical and ordinary thinking
| Critical Thinking | Ordinary Thinking |
|---|---|
| Logical and analytical | Emotional or habitual |
| Evidence-based | Assumption-based |
| Questions information | Accepts information |
| Leads to better decisions | May cause bias |
2(e). Identifying premises and conclusions with truth and logic conditions
A premise is a supporting statement, while a conclusion is the final inference drawn.
Truth depends on factual correctness, while logic depends on valid reasoning.
An argument may be logically valid but factually untrue if premises are incorrect.
SECTION C
3(a). Distinguish between rhetorical and augmentative space
| Rhetorical Space | Augmentative Space |
|---|---|
| Focuses on persuasion | Focuses on enhancement |
| Uses language and arguments | Uses tools, data, and visuals |
| Influences opinion | Improves understanding |
| Communication-centric | Solution-centric |
3(b). Explain creativity in teams and their environments
Creativity in teams grows through diverse perspectives, psychological safety, open communication, and supportive environments. Collaborative cultures encourage idea sharing, experimentation, and innovation.
4(a). Ethical Behavior and its importance
Ethical behavior involves acting with honesty, fairness, responsibility, and respect.
It is important because it builds trust, ensures sustainability, prevents exploitation, and promotes social well-being.
4(b). Empathy maps and emotional mapping with examples
Empathy maps help understand what users say, think, feel, and do.
Example: Designing a healthcare app by mapping patient fears, needs, and emotions.
Emotional mapping improves user-centric design.
5(a). Double Diamond Approach with example
The Double Diamond model has four phases:
Discover Define
Develop Deliver
Example: Designing a mobile app by first understanding user problems, defining needs, exploring ideas, and finally delivering a tested solution.
5(b). Ideation activity games
Ideation games like brainstorming, role-playing, mind mapping, SCAMPER, and design sprints encourage creative thinking, participation, and innovation in teams.
6(a). Critical thinking skills with linking ideas
Critical thinking skills include analysis, evaluation, inference, interpretation, and reasoning.
Linking ideas means connecting concepts logically to form meaningful insights and solutions.
6(b). Cognitive bias, tribalism, and politics
Cognitive bias: Systematic errors in thinking Tribalism: Group-based bias
Politics: Power-driven decision making
These factors distort rational thinking and reduce innovation.
7(a). Deductive argument with argument diagrams
Deductive arguments move from general principles to specific conclusions.
If premises are true and logic is valid, the conclusion must be true.
Argument diagrams visually represent premises leading to conclusions.
7(b). Obstacles incurred in critical thinking
Major obstacles include: Bias and prejudice
Emotional reasoning Lack of information
Overconfidence Social pressure
These barriers reduce objective decision-making.