Exploring the Concept of Design Thinker in Western and Chinese Contexts

Abstract

This research is a comparison study of the concept ‘design thinker’ in western and Chinese contexts. Qualitative research methodology was used. A western database with 105 selected papers and a Chinese database with 25 selected papers have been reviewed. 14 categories of 179 concepts from the western database and 11 categories of 31 concepts from the Chinese database have been collected. Three philosophies have been found: the concepts in the western context; the concepts in the Chinese context; the differences and similarities between these two concepts. The findings of this research can be used to understand ‘design thinker’ better and improve the teaching to nurture design thinkers.Keywords: design thinker, western concept of design thinker, Chinese concept of design thinker, comparison of western and Chinese concept