Lambert, Shari B. Rethinking Design Thinking With Generative AI: Investigating How Generative AI Might Help Bridge the Current Design Thinking Methodology Gap Through Creative Play and Sensemaking to Support Focus-Finding in Wicked Problems. 2026. Radford University, Thesis. Radford University Scholars' Repository.
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Abstract
In today’s information rich environment, organizations are facing unprecedented complexity, with creative thinking identified as a critical skill. Yet, scholars argue that the dominant creative problem-solving methodology—Design Thinking—has not kept pace with today’s complex, wicked problems and that a redesign is needed (VanPatter et al., 2020). As Design Thinking faces growing pressure to adapt to increasing problem complexity, generative artificial intelligence (AI) is emerging as a potential next frontier—offering teams scalable capabilities that may support creative thinking and early-stage exploration. In response, this thesis designed and piloted a novel, two-part approach—GenAI Duos— that augments Design Thinking with the generative AI creative process through Discovery (Part 1: creative play, divergent thinking), followed by Sensemaking (Part 2: convergent thinking), intended to support focus-finding (identifying candidate entry points) in wicked problems. The approach was piloted with 22 Design Thinking practitioners across four facilitator-led workshops that repeated the same methods while varying the topic. Through hands-on, iterative exploration with generative AI followed by group discussion, participants simulated the use of GenAI Duos to address a real-world problem across all five stages of the Design Thinking process, grouped in three GenAI Duos pairs: 1) Empathize and Define, 2) Ideate, and 3) Prototype and Test. Data were collected via survey responses and workshop video recordings. Findings indicated strong perceived workflow coherence for the Discovery–Sensemaking approach (M = 5.64/6) with overall high activity enjoyment (all activity means > 7/10), and absorbed engagement reflected in a time-distortion indicator (M = 5.09/6), consistent with supporting a creative mindset. Most participants (86%; 19/22) agreed that working with generative AI helped them think more creatively, and 21 of 22 agreed to some extent that generative AI helped them confidently share their ideas. Perceived usefulness was high with 21 of 22 participants agreeing that generative AI would be useful in their practice. Focus-finding outcomes were mixed, with 73% of participants agreeing to some extent that generative AI helped improve their understanding of the problem (7 strongly, 9 somewhat), while 27% did not (3 somewhat disagree, 3 disagree), citing barriers including prompting friction, generic outputs, drift from intended focus, and ethical/validity concerns. These findings suggest that GenAI Duos may offer promising support for creative problem-solving and early-stage exploration within complex wicked problems when paired with scaffolding and workflow refinements that protect problem-focused sensemaking. Beyond methodological redesign, this work highlights how designers engage with and make sense of generative AI within established Design Thinking practice, where integration, usability, and trust shape how they envision adopting these tools.
| Item Type: | Thesis |
|---|---|
| Advisors Names: | UNSPECIFIED |
| Subjects: | N Fine Arts > NX Arts in general |
| Divisions: | Radford University > College of Visual and Performing Arts > Department of Design |
| Date Deposited: | 28 May 2026 15:26 |
| URI: | http://wagner.radford.edu/id/eprint/1348 |
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