This study examines design thinking (DT) as a strategy to develop K-3 digital literacy curricula. This article chronicles first-year, preservice teachers' (PSTs') perceptions using DT to explore an often-misunderstood curricular framework, digital literacy. The participants employed DT as a strategy for developing digital literacy curriculum. Findings discussed in this article explored PSTs' perceptions of DT and how the strategy helped or hindered their understanding of digital literacy as an elementary curricular framework. This study calls for further investigation regarding DT as a strategy for curriculum development early in teacher preparation.