How many of you have ever seen a fire extinguisher case just like this? I guessing it's probably everyone. A while ago in class we talked about things that are "broken" and I think this should definitely make the list. We need fire extinguishers, but is this honestly the best design that we can come up with to fulfill that need?
This example, and the concept of being "broken," also correlates very well with the book that my group is reading. The book is "Change Be Design" by Tim Brown, and in the book, Brown talks about becoming design thinkers and changing the way we look at problems. The example of a fire extinguisher case reflects that perfectly. Clearly, this is not the best design, but we haven't done anything to change it. I ask why not?
Why are we not proactive, design thinkers in changing this? I mean, what we would if there were actually a fire? I've even seen some cases with a glass window so small you could barely fit your hand in it, much less get the extinguisher out or open the case. Not only that, but if there were a fire and you broke the class, it would then have to be replaced! There are many things around us that are "broken" and that we should re-evaluate with the mind of a design thinker.
In "Change By Design" Brown says "What we need is an approach to innovation that is powerful, effective, and broadly accessible, that can be integrated into all aspects of business and society, and that individuals and teams can use to generate breakthrough ideas that are implemented and that therefore have an impact. Design thinking...offers just such an approach."
Design thinking is critical in business and more importantly, life. Sure, changing the design of a fire extinguisher case won't change the world, but the the principles of design thinking we could learn from it very well might.
Mark Israelsen - Group 5
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