Designing for the greater good in practice: How practitioners apply Positive Psychology in Design Thinking

This study explores how practitioners apply principles of Positive Psychology within Design Thinking processes. Building on a prior scoping review that mapped the conceptual integration of Positive Psychology in academic literature on Design Thinking, this second phase investigates how these principles are actually used in practice. Through a mixed-methods design combining an international online survey and in-depth interviews with experienced design professionals, the study aims to identify patterns, challenges, and opportunities in the real-world application of concepts such as strengths, flow, meaning, and psychological safety. The findings will inform both theoretical development and the creation of practical tools for more human-centered, psychologically informed innovation processes.