Refers to an approach to learning, collaboration, and problem solving that uses a particular design process: a framework to identify challenges, gather information, generate potential solutions, refine ideas, and test solutions. The approach emphasizes empathy with users, collaboration, creativity, and iteration to generate innovative solutions. It originated from the field of design but is used now in many applications such as education, business, healthcare, and government. Design thinking is posited to better prepare individuals for the complexities of the 21st-century world since it promotes the mindset of experimentation, risk-taking, and continuous learning.

In the learn-and-work ecosystem, design thinking is used for:

• Curriculum Integration: Many educational institutions incorporate design thinking principles into their curriculum to cultivate students' problem-solving skills, creativity, and empathy. Courses or workshops on design thinking are increasingly common across academic disciplines.
• Interdisciplinary Collaboration:  Fosters collaboration among students across many disciplines since design thinking values diverse perspectives and expertise.
• Project-Based Learning: Students working on real-world problems use this approach to apply knowledge in practical settings to foster critical thinking, innovation, and adaptability.
• Innovation Centers and Labs: Many universities operate innovation centers or incubators dedicated to fostering creativity, entrepreneurship, and innovation. Some are hubs for design thinking activities, providing resources, mentorship, and networking opportunities for students, faculty, and employer and government partners.
• Enhancing Employability Skills: Higher education institutions are integrating design thinking into their programs to better prepare students for the evolving demands of the job market.
• Addressing Complex Challenges: Design thinking equips students with the mindset and tools to address complex problems where conventional solutions do not work, such as in healthcare and social justice, where multifaceted challenges require innovative approaches.