Bridge Building Podcast Episode 91: Datta Podcast: Design Thinking Starts with the Problems That Annoy You – with Dominique Falla

What if you're already teaching design… but just don't realise it? In this episode, Stephen Anderson is joined by Dominique Falla from Griffith University's Queensland College of Art and Design to explore a powerful reframe for Design and Technology education. Dominique shares why design isn't about being "creative," but about structured problem solving—and why every teacher is already doing this every day in their classroom. The conversation explores the importance of studio-based learning, the role of hands-on experimentation, and why students need opportunities to tinker, test, and fail in order to truly understand design. A key takeaway is the shift from abstract design challenges to personally meaningful problems. Instead of asking students to solve generic tasks, Dominique encourages teachers to start with what genuinely frustrates students—because that's where real engagement and authentic design thinking begins. This episode is particularly valuable for teachers who feel out of their depth teaching design, especially those coming from trade or technical backgrounds. It offers reassurance, practical strategies, and a clear pathway to embedding design thinking more intentionally in the classroom.