The Method to My Madness

BACKGROUND

Throughout the years of working on many client projects, I’ve frequently encountered similar questions upon delivery: "How did you come up with this? What was your process? What's the secret sauce?" I've always wanted to address these inquiries seriously, but knowing that answering these questions thoroughly would require an in-depth response, I often brushed them off with a sarcastic remark like,

" With skills, my friend, with skills. "

I know, I know, that's a bit pretentious, right? In all honesty that was never my intention however, it worked like a charm because it ended the inquiry, just as well as telling a bullheaded friend fair enough, or yeah, that makes sense. Welp, lo and behold my friends because the time has come, and...

" Oh, it's on! Like the proverbial Donkey Kong. "

Yes, inherent talents can certainly enhance creativity, especially in art. However, they are not a prerequisite for success, particularly in product design. As shown in the diagram above, I'll delve into the three essential phases of the Design Thinking methodology I use to guide me when I approach new projects.

A Brief History

DISCLAIMER

Before we dive into my process, I want to clarify that I did not invent Design Thinking nor do I claim to have developed it. Early insights into Design Thinking date back to the early 50s and 60s when people started studying Design Reasoning and Design Methodology. All I've done here is adopt it and make it my own, just like every other great artist in history before me.

Returning to our main topic, this method consists of three key phases: understanding, exploring, and materializing our design. Each phase is divided into two core principles, culminating in six fundamental principles. So get ready to unlock your creativity as we embark on this transformative journey together!

Consider Their Perspective

PHASE 1: UNDERSTAND | PRINCIPAL 1: EMPATHY

Before starting any project I like to have an R&D session. This is where I research my client, the product, and their users to develop a deep understanding of their needs, emotions, and challenges. The principle of empathy enables us to understand and share the feelings of another. It’s a fundamental part of human relationships and a critical part of my design process.

Empathy does not mean sympathy or feeling sorry for someone, rather it’s a way of imagining what others might want or need in an attempt to see things from their perspective. How do we empathize with our users? How are they feeling? What are they trying to accomplish? What can make their experience better?

A New Scope

PHASE 1: UNDERSTAND | PRINCIPAL 2: DEFINE

I will neither confirm nor deny that this section's title was a hat-tip to Star Wars episode IV, but besides that tidbit of information, I am trying to turn you guys into Design Thinking Jedi's. Moving forward into phase one we encounter our second principle. The principle of defining one's work is about identifying and refining the problem we are trying to solve.

Before solving any problem, it's crucial to define a clear and meaningful problem statement. Without this clarity, we risk investing time in tasks that do not advance our ultimate goal. Establishing and defining a clear scope is fundamental to creating impactful solutions. It's important to note that while we've defined the initial scope, it's likely to evolve as we progress. Remember to remain flexible and open to enhancing the scope every step of the way.

The Moment Of Truth

PHASE 2: EXPLORE | PRINCIPAL 3: IDEATE

Once we have thoroughly defined our scope it is time to initiate the second phase as we explore and challenge our assumptions with the data collected in our previous phase. This is the phase in which creativity can play a pivotal role and often where innovation happens. By looking at our problem from different perspectives we can generate several possible solutions, that help us uncover latent needs and develop creative ways to tackle our challenges.

“ Trust in your imagination. It opens the gates to infinity. ”

The principle of ideating can sometimes be challenging, but it is the most rewarding when you finally, have that come to Jesus moment. In this phase, you blend logic and common sense with creativity. When we ideate upon a well-defined scope of work a solution can hit us like a lightning bolt, and there is nothing better than saying Eureka! When you have truly found it.

Proof Of Concept

PHASE 2: EXPLORE | PRINCIPAL 4: PROTOTYPE

As we delve into our journey advancing further into the second phase, we turn our ideas into a tangible reality by building palpable representations. The prototype principle is the process of apprehending the realization of our solution. It’s a way to ensure our model works as we intended, but it also allows us to collect Insights from our users.

Prototyping helps us to understand if our concept is usable and feasible before spending too much time building something that may not be viable. Whether it's sketches, models, or digital prototypes, this principle is critical to bringing that vision to life.

A Minimal Viable Product

PHASE 3: MATERIALIZE | PRINCIPAL 5: TEST

As we proceed into the third phase, our main objective is to collect data from our user base so that we can improve and refine our designs. The test principle allows us to observe users to evaluate and see if we solved the problem. Testing your designs can reveal new insights, which might lead the team to refine the prototype or potentially reconsider the scope to reassess new developments.

" Keep calm, set milestones, achieve, and carry on. "

While continuously testing and refining the product is essential, establishing a baseline at this stage is equally important. From experience, setting and achieving milestones during this phase can help prevent the needless cycle of ongoing testing and revisions. As you move through phase three, finalize your resolve and clearly define the precise goals for your MVP.

Ground Control to Major Tom

PHASE 3: MATERIALIZE | PRINCIPAL 6: IMPLEMENT

Finally, we've reached the light at the end of the tunnel and are ready to put our vision into effect. It is time to launch and introduce our refined designs to the world. The implement principle is an amalgamation of the five previous principles put into practice. It is not just the result of our hard work, but also the dedication and effort we invested to reach this milestone to enhance our users' experience. It is a creation we can truly appreciate because we know what it took to actualize this into reality.

This Is The Way

CONCLUSION

There you have it, I've provided a comprehensive breakdown of what I titled "The Method to My Madness," covering everything from theory to practice. After more than a decade of exploring different tactics and strategies to address challenges, one thing is clear: refining my design thinking process has significantly improved my product design. As mentioned before inherent talents can enhance your creativity, but it is not required for success, especially in product design. By integrating the design thinking process I've outlined, you'll become a creative force to be reckoned with.