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

Success by design: Is it possible?

It depends on how you define… “SUCCESS”

It depends on how you define… “DESIGN”

definitions matter. E let me illustrate.

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…

… the BEST YEARS of YOUR LIFE !”

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

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

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

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

Fail often to succeed sooner. DESIGN THINKING The process

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

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

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.

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…”

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.

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?

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