Designers often use a variety of tools to solve complex communication problems. Download “How to solve problems like a designer” to learn how to employ three thinking modalities: design thinking, systems thinking, and visual thinking.

Designers solve problems.

Problem solving is one of the most universal human pursuits. We’re always trying to do things better, easier, bigger, faster. And that won’t change anytime soon. In fact, according to the World Economic Forum’s The Future of Jobs report, by 2020, 36% of jobs across all industries will require complex problem-solving abilities as a core skill.

Famed designer Charles Eames once said, “One could describe Design as a plan for arranging elements to accomplish a particular purpose.” Swap out the word “Design” for “problem solving,” and the message still holds true. Much of the focus of design is solving problems and making things better for users. The key is taking a systematic and purposeful approach to exploring possibilities and making decisions.

Recently, methods like design thinking have become popular among business leaders tasked with solving problems. And that’s a good thing. Design thinking emphasizes adopting a user-centric mindset and an iterative approach to solution development. Therefore, it’s a valuable tool for designers and non-designers alike. But regardless of discipline, most designers combine the principles of design thinking with those of other thinking modalities. Find out more in “How to Solve Problems Like a Designer.”