Design thinking

Design thinking is an increasingly common concept. The designer’s goal is to understand the client and look for problems. But not only graphic designers can use it. This method of “design thinking” will be helpful in the work of anyone who is not only in the design field.

---

This method focuses on solving problems in several steps. The achievement of one phase determines the presence of the other.

Stage One - Empathy

As empathetic, we try to understand the problem of our recipients by reflecting on it from their point of view. The common problem is that we like the ideas we consider the best, not the ideas that the recipient deems appropriate. Each of us as a human is limited to our thoughts in our world. We are in such a bubble, and it is hard for us to imagine how other people look at various problems. To solve problems effectively, we must focus on talking to others. Then we can proceed to problem definition, which is stage two.

Stage Two - Problem Definition

When defining a problem, it’s best to solve it with your team. It is worth describing the issue together in a form that is understandable and acceptable to the team. You need to find some patterns to answer which direction to go and prepare for it by drawing conclusions from this first stage. In the second phase, there is time to summarise, i.e., define the problem to solve in the next step.

Stage Three - Generating Ideas

In fact, it’s a bit of a guess. Sometimes it does not lead to anything because we are around general topics instead of clearly defining the problem. For example, I get an e-mail in which someone asks me if I like something or not, this question cannot be answered because these are both terrible and fantastic ideas. Without knowledge about what the recipient wants to achieve, it is impossible to clearly define the solution. Here comes an advanced method like workshops, brainstorming that should be carried out in a team, etc. It’s about looking for ideas, getting inspired. Only this step is for that.

Stage Four - Prototyping

Prototyping is selecting the best ideas. For example, there can be some preliminary sketches that will allow evaluating these ideas. Whether they go in the right direction, we can print one copy of the calendar and check how it looks in practice. Thoughts in our heads are now physical. It is possible to determine if they are 100 per cent ready, i.e. this is an intermediate stage between the idea and the half-finished project. It usually takes a short time to build a prototype. The prototype can be further tested.

Stage Five - Testing

Testing what it checks in practice when something is ready or not. If something is wrong, you can go back to the previous stages and verify what went wrong. It would seem that it is a time-consuming job. Still, it is an excellent way to save yourself problems, time, and money that would have to be spent on repairing, redesigning, and so on. Assuming that we give something to the recipient that will be imperfect, it is very irresponsible. We have to do everything to lead to a situation where the solution will be perfect and in line with the recipient’s expectations. Therefore, there is a need to test.

---

Overall, it seems to be very complicated, but it’s actually natural and straightforward. It is worth using such methods in practice and constantly improving the process and teamwork cooperation.