What is meant by 'design thinking' in product realization?

Design thinking refers to a user-centered approach to problem-solving that emphasizes understanding the needs and experiences of end-users in the product development process. It involves empathizing with users, defining problems, ideating solutions, prototyping, and testing. This iterative cycle allows teams to gather insights and continuously refine their ideas based on user feedback, ultimately leading to more effective and innovative products.

By focusing on the users' experiences and needs, design thinking enables teams to create solutions that are not only functional but also relevant and valuable to the target audience. This approach contrasts with methods that might concentrate solely on aesthetics or adhere strictly to engineering principles, which may overlook the importance of user satisfaction and interaction with the product.