Design Thinking

5 stages of design thinking

Humans and companies or institutions are faced with complex problems at some point and there are certain ways and methodologies adopted in other to solve these complex problems. These methodologies applied to solve these problems may vary between companies or individuals. The process of solving the problem is where design thinking comes in.

Now what is design thinking? Design thinking refers to a process or a methodology that helps provide a solution to a complex problem. Hence, when a company or a team is trying to solve a complex problem, design thinking can be used to solve the problem. Design thinking however specifically focuses on human centered approach, by trying to understand WHO you are designing for and WHAT their needs are in order to create a solution that satisfies the users needs and solves the users problems. So basically it has to do with understanding the problem from the users’ perspective.

The stages of design thinking include;

1. Empathize: This has to do with understanding the problem from the users’ point of view. Gathering information from the users through interviews, surveys etc. creating personas and understanding who you are creating to solution for and what their problem is
2. Define (defining the problem): This involves using the information gathered from the first stage to identify and draft out what the problem is. What problems do users currently face, what are their frustrations and all.
3. Ideate: This has to do with brainstorming and coming up with possible ideas that are in line with what you have gathered in the previous stages.
4. Prototype: this involves selecting the best and realistic ideas and creating inexpensive testable products. More like a scaled down solution to the problem that can be tested if it actually solves the problem before it’s fully developed.
5. Testing: Involves testing the solution or product to see if it solves the problem seamlessly. This could be done through conducting usability testing with colleagues of prospective users.

What does it mean for a designer to be able to fit himself into the shoes of the users? This has to do with the ability to Empathize. The designer should be able to gain empathic understanding of the problem you are trying to solve. This could be done through engaging with prospective users and (or) existing users to understand how they feel and what problems they feel, their experiences and frustrations. This helps designers to have an understanding from the users’ perspective while neglecting and forgoing personal assumptions.