Define 'design thinking' in the context of product design.

The concept of 'design thinking' centers around an approach that places a strong emphasis on empathy and understanding user needs. This methodology encourages designers to delve deeply into the experiences, motivations, and challenges faced by users, allowing for the creation of solutions that are not only innovative but also truly address the problems at hand.

In product design, this empathetic approach helps teams to better identify the actual requirements of users, often leading to more functional and desirable products. It encompasses various phases such as defining the problem, ideating potential solutions, prototyping, and testing those solutions—all informed by continuous feedback from end users. This iterative process ensures that the final product is user-centric, enhancing its usability and appeal.

In contrast, other approaches mentioned would not align with the essence of design thinking. A rigid problem-solving method lacks the flexibility and adaptability central to the design thinking process. Focusing solely on profitability could lead to overlooking user needs, while neglecting prototyping certainly undermines the iterative nature of design thinking, which relies on testing and refining ideas based on tangible feedback. Thus, the correct definition captures the heart of design thinking as an empathetic and user-focused approach.