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Invention

An invention (noun) is the outcome or process of inventing. Invention (verb) is the action of creating something new.

For our purposes, to invent means creating a new object or process or way of achieving a goal that improves on the current state of affairs

At Invention Bootcamp we consider invention to be learnable skill.

Table of contents

  1. Invention Processes
  2. Design Thinking and Human-centered design
  3. Introduction to Design
  4. Resources

Invention Processes

Invention occurs in a wide variety of contexts and with a wide variety of outcomes.

People using invention can

  • create devices or machines that perform useful tasks.
  • creating business processes that reduce costs or produce better outcomes for customers.
  • build social networks that connect people with needed resources.
  • apply scientific discoveries into products.
  • improve education practices
  • and more …

Design Thinking and Human-centered design

Design thinking is a process of applying observation, creativity, prototype development, testing and deployment, all towards solving a problem that matters to people.

What is Design Thinking?

Introduction to Design

In this video Introduction Design: Creation of Artifacts in Society from the first lecture of a course on Coursera, the definition of design is

Design: conceiving and giving form to artifacts that solve problems

Problem-solving process in design

  1. Recognition of a gap
  2. Design creates a plan
  3. Plan is used to produce an artifact

Design Thinking and Human-centered design add steps to the design process

  1. Empathizing with users to understand their situation
  2. Recognition of a gap
  3. Design creates a plan
  4. Plan is used to produce an artifact
  5. Develop and test prototypes, iteration
  6. Deploy the invention

Resources