Next Idea to Invent (NII) is an innovation-driven project that centers on solving human-related problems using the Stanford Design Thinking methodology. This approach emphasizes empathy and creativity, focusing on understanding real users' needs and designing effective solutions that improve their experiences.
At its core, NII is a problem-solving project where teams work together to brainstorm various solutions for a chosen problem. After evaluating potential options, teams select the most promising solution and create a prototype. The next critical phase is the user test, where the prototype is tested in real-world scenarios to assess its effectiveness and gather feedback for improvement.
One key aspect of NII is that the problem must be human-centric—the issue the team addresses should directly affect people as users. For example, challenges related to healthcare, education, or everyday conveniences are ideal. However, problems that are purely technological or scientific in nature, such as optimizing machine efficiency or solving abstract scientific equations, are not suited for the design thinking approach.
During the test phase, teams must engage with real users in actual environments where the solution would be applied. This interaction allows the team to observe how users interact with the prototype and provides valuable insights into its practicality and potential impact. The focus on real users and their experiences makes the design thinking process both iterative and highly adaptable, ensuring that the final solution is tailored to meet genuine human needs.
By focusing on human-centric innovation, NII pushes teams to not only think critically about the problems they are addressing but also to immerse themselves in the real-world challenges people face. Through design thinking, students learn how to develop solutions that are both practical and impactful, empowering them to create meaningful change in their communities and beyond.
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