1. Success by Design: Is it possible?
Dave Evans
d.life lab
Stanford Design Program

2. Success by design: Is it possible?

3. It depends on how you define…
“SUCCESS”

4. It depends on how you define…
“DESIGN”

5. definitions matter. E
let me illustrate.

6. Remember at the end of high school… after you’d gotten into college?
What did the adults say to you?
“Oh, how wonderful! These are…

7. … the BEST YEARS of YOUR LIFE !”

8. can we talk? E
what were they (or you) thinking?!

9. Success by design: Is it possible?
now – back to our problem.
Success by design: Is it possible? E

10. DIFFERENT KINDS OF THINKING: WHAT IS DESIGN THINKING?
ENGINEERING THINKING
BUSINESS THINKING
RESEARCH THINKING
DESIGN THINKING
Solve your
way forward
Optimize your
way forward
Analyze your
way forward
Build your
way forward

11. DESIGN THINKING is … … a good approach to WICKED PROBLEMS parenting
vocational
wayfinding
education
life

12. Fail often to succeed sooner.
DESIGN THINKING
The process

13. Success by design: Is it possible?
YES ! E
Success by engineering: Is it possible?
NO !

14. Can you engineer success in school?
YES !
and what you get is a kid terrific at doing school and clueless at doing life. E

15. so, what are we to do? people are not tame & can’t be solved.
REFRAMING
people are not tame & can’t be solved.
outcomes to wicked problems are not guaranteed.
help students think like designers & build their success.

16. so, what are we to do? REFRAME your goal:
REFRAMING
REFRAME your goal:
cultivate curiosity over competition
instill a mindset of “Try it!” instead of “Watch out!”
encourage failing faster (and cheaper) over getting it right.
adopt an improv point of view with “Yes, and…”

17. so, what are we to do? REFRAME your dialogue:
REFRAMING
REFRAME your dialogue:
instead of “What do you want to be when you grow up?” try:
What are you enjoying learning or trying out?
Who have you met whose life seems interesting?
What’s going on in the world that upsets you?
What grabs your attention?
Tell me about something you finally figured out after lots of tries.

18. so, what are we to do? REFRAME college:
REFRAMING
REFRAME college:
instead of “What do you want to major in?”
or “Where do you want to go to college?” try:
What do you want out of college?
How are you thinking through college fit?
How are you anticipating changing your mind while in college?

19. THANK YOU ! E
Dave Evans
d.life lab
Stanford Design Program