Ever undergone a designer’s block? Being out of the box is all it takes to get a new idea to overtake the usual. How hard can it be? Is there an expectation to keep looking for inspirations around and one day suddenly boom! There is a new idea juggling in your head. But is it worth the wait? Design thinking process is not to be different, it is the responsibility of providing better than what exists. Thinking design is the generation of solutions for complexity that is inclined to a user-centric approach devoid of the fear of change. Design Thinking can be aided with five stages to get speedy in the non-linear process.
Empathize and Keep Looking for the Flags | Design Thinking Process
When personal biases are kept aside, it gives a new perspective to endless expanding investigation. Before starting to think about innovations, there is a need to form a base for what is needed in the first place. To question the questions by unlearning them and regaining a whole bunch of understanding backed up with evidence through data-gathering, involving experts for opinions, observing, and empathizing will aid the solution, a competitive advantage with diversity in the overview.
Define
Combining and analyzing the data collected to define the aim and problem points, highlighting innovation opportunities and identifying unmet needs. Moving forward with the overlapping pain points for changing patterns helps define a web of crucial points to consider while generating ideas. Defining constraints while idea generation helps to control time and use logic over instincts instead. Reframing the problem statements in a human-centric way is what needs to be defined.
Ideate
At this stage, a designer is filled with ample resources to start brainstorming out-of-the-box ideas. Even the slightest criticism is to hit pause to generate crazy and worst ideas. The brainstorming session is expected to be free-flowing with a safe space to express any possible alternative solution without judgement at the advent. The idea generation is with the outset that no idea is unworthy. Once the ideas pour for filtration, ideas passed can be directed towards prototyping for a feasibility check.
Prototype | Design Thinking Process
To witness the potential of an idea there is a crucial step to checking for errors first hand. The aim is to prepare a low-fidelity version of the idea to check for its workability and leave room for alterations based on the feedback received post prototyping. The ultimate scheme is to not focus on the final idea but to have made improvements while it can. Prototyping brings tangibility to the ideas brainstormed about. The idea is examined to be rejected, re-checked, improved, or to be accepted. It gives room to visualize the interaction of the adjacent group with the ultimate results the idea will have.
Test
The aim is to put the idea into effect by materializing the idea so it can bring a change. It is interactive by keeping an open ear to feedback. Design thinking is the non-linear process the stages mentioned are open to juggling between them. Testing for error or failure can save enough time, energy, resources, effort, and provide insights to headstart further. The designer with the most open and curious mindset with an absorbent beginner’s mind will have a diversity of solutions.
Implement | Design Thinking Process
The ultimate move is to put charge to the vision with creative confidence! As long as the aim is clear and the needs are well understood, the ideas will pop up eventually and the end results would demand its actual realization.
The process of design thinking possesses a flexible approach to have solutions based on deeply immersed knowledge, diverse insights from brainstorming sessions, independence from failure. The world is moving and things around demand improvements and upgrades. The chase for something new and something different will always be craved by humans. Design thinking brings closer to what is needed with the help of logistics and proof. Design thinking is a safe approach to minimizing the resources needed for idea generation. The application and utility of a designed entity are enhanced by means of design thinking.
References:
- https://www.interaction-design.org/literature/article/5-stages-in-the-design-thinking-process
- https://www.interaction-design.org/literature/topics/design-thinking
- https://canvas.unl.edu/courses/73802/pages/5-stages-of-design-thinking?module_item_id=1968000
- https://careerfoundry.com/en/blog/ux-design/design-thinking-process/
- https://medium.com/@bhmiller0712/what-is-design-thinking-and-what-are-the-5-stages-associated-with-it-d628152cf220
- What are the five stages of design thinking? https://www.processexcellencenetwork.com/events-opexweek/blog/what-are-the-five-stages-of-design-thinking
- (2021). 5 steps of the design thinking process. Voltage control. Available at: https://voltagecontrol.com/blog/5-steps-of-the-design-thinking-process-a-step-by-step-guide [26 November 2021]
- Dam, R. Siang,T (2020). What is design thinking and why is it popular? Interaction design foundation. Available at: https://www.interaction-design.org/literature/article/what-is-design-thinking-and-why-is-it-so-popular [26 November 2021].
- Liedtke,J.(2018).Why design thinking works. Harvard business review. https://hbr.org/2018/09/why-design-thinking-works [26 November 2021].
- Linke, R.(2017). Design thinking, explained. Ideas made to matter. Available at: https://mitsloan.mit.edu/ideas-made-to-matter/design-thinking-explained [26 November 2021].
- Gibbons, S. (2016).History of Design thinking. Design thinking 101. Available at: https://www.nngroup.com/articles/design-thinking/. [25 November 2021].
- https://www.vectornator.io/blog/design-thinking\
