When User-Centred Design Is Not Enough - Systems Thinking in Practice

Most design methods help us understand users. But some challenges persist because they emerge from relationships and wider systems that remain invisible when we focus on the user alone.

In this masterclass, participants will use systems thinking to understand challenges beyond visible symptoms and identify leverage points for intervention. Working through a practical case, we will examine systemic patterns and interrelations, and explore where interventions may create meaningful, long-lasting change.

The session is designed for practitioners who want to add a systems thinking lens to their design, research, or product work — without turning it into a messy mapping exercise. It offers a practical way to move beyond surface-level problem framing and approach complex design challenges with more systemic awareness.