The Design Process
- The design process is a human-centred, iterative model used to develop creative and effective solutions.
- It encourages empathy, critical thinking, collaboration, and innovation.
The Five Stages of the Design Process
- Empathise
- Define the Project
- Ideation and Modelling
- Designing a Solution
- Presenting a Solution
The design process is not always linear. Designers often revisit earlier stages as new insights emerge or challenges arise.
Stage 1 - Empathise
Definition
Empathise Stage (Design Process)
Discover the needs, motivations, behaviours, and experiences of the intended user.
- Purpose: Gain insight into the user’s world to inform meaningful design decisions.
- Key Activities:
- Conduct interviews, observations, and shadowing
- Identify pain points, workarounds, and unmet needs
- Use empathy maps, user journeys, and personas
- Ask open questions and listen actively
- Avoid assumptions, focus on the user’s perspective
- Goal: Build a clear picture of the user’s needs before defining the problem.
When conducting user research, focus on open-ended questions that encourage users to share their experiences and emotions.
Analogy- Think of the empathize stage as putting yourself in the user's shoes.
- Just as a detective gathers clues to solve a mystery, designers collect insights to uncover the true needs of their users.
Stage 2 - Define the Project
Definition
Define Stage (Design Process)
Clearly articulate the design challenge based on user insights.
- Purpose: Frame a focused and meaningful design problem.
- Key Activities:
- Analyse and synthesise research findings
- Identify key user needs and design opportunities
- Write a clear, concise design brief with goals and constraints
- Prioritise needs based on impact and feasibility
- Set success criteria to evaluate solutions later
- Goal: Provide a clear starting point to guide ideation and development.
- A well-defined problem statement is specific, user-centered, and actionable. It serves as a guiding light for the entire design process.
- It clarifies the problem, aligns the team, and focuses efforts on meaningful, innovative solutions.
Problem Statement: "How might we design a more accessible public transportation system for elderly users with mobility challenges?"
Stage 3 - Ideation and Modelling
Definition
Ideation & Modelling Stage (Design Process)
Explore a wide range of creative ideas and develop early representations.
- Purpose: Generate and communicate potential solutions.
- Key Activities:
