The aim of this study is to explore the significance of normative aspects of professional design activity in the context of poverty alleviation and economic development, or Design for Social Wellbeing (DSW). It will examine the effects of various normative traits, such as personal dispositions, political attitudes and institutional influences upon designers’ problem-solving ability, or “design thinking”. The findings will present both theoretical and practicable contributions to design practice by developing strategies to improve design thinking within DSW practice.