Design Thinking as an Anthropological Practice: Past/Present/Future

Abstract

Design is a fundamentally human and therefore an anthropological act. As social anthropologist Tim Ingold points out, it is an act that cannot be disconnected from making in the world. This chapter uses Ingold’s theoretical concepts to connect design thinking with making and to establish both as ancient human practices as evident in history. Then, the chapter reflects on contemporary design thinking practice. Further, it connects this anthropological view of design thinking to insights from my own design thinking practice from the years of 2011–2015 in leading the Design Thinking @ College of Design, a design thinking consulting program at the University of Minnesota. Finally, it offers suggestions for where design might go in the future while drawing from our anthropological past and present to fulfill the potential of design thinking as a powerful creative tool shaping humanity’s future.