Article

Bhasker Vijaykumar Bhatt, Bhaikaka Centre for Human Settlements

The Gujarat Technological University initiated a movement of learning engineering by applying the approach of design thinking across all the branches through curriculum since the year 2014. The initial efforts were focusing on developing a mindset through a logical process of structured thinking through the introduction of a course “Design Engineering” having a spine across all six of semesters in Degree Engineering of all branches. Later in the year 2016, it was restricted to Semester III till Semester VI considering final year aspects with the inclusion of it under the project works attained by the students in a group. The current paper attempts for fine tuning the overall process by exploring a canvas before empathy mapping stage to improve the same. Empathy for a user’s mindset plays a very crucial part while empathising about one. A Role-playing canvas (RPC) was developed, many students and teachers were exposed to the canvas and reflections from students were received by performing a survey about its effect and impact. The survey results were analysed and explored in the light of responses and are discussed in detail here, and specific recommendations for further suggestive actions are drawn.