Systems thinking, also known as systems dynamics, combines understanding how complex systems integrate with each other and solving complicated problems that involve multiple inputs and outputs from these systems' perspectives. The theory can also help us to build a clear vision of the system while proposing a solution that considers seeing the complex system as […]
Why Design Thinking Doesn't Work
Many articles have recently addressed design thinking as a mindset to solve problems and achieve innovation by focusing on human needs. However, the over-commercialisation and promotions have led to a backfire on the tool itself as it doesn’t provide a sufficient understanding of the method. As a result, many people wonder why design thinking doesn’t […]
How to Create the Systems Thinking Diagrams
Complex systems can’t be seen as individual parts. We need a broader perspective to see the whole pattern that causes the problem, as many factors as affecting both the current state and the desired state of the system. The systems thinking theory was first introduced by Jay Forrester and members of the Society for Organizational […]
How to Use the Fishbone Diagram in Root Cause Analysis?
Solving problems is considered an initial part of designers’ practice as they aim for user-centred design. The target that requires root-cause analysis of problems using tools such as the Fishbone diagram. A clear definition for the problem should be highlighted in order to target the proper solution, including analysing the causes behind this problem and […]
What is the Failure Mode and Effects Analysis (FMEA)?
Our worst fear in design is to end up with a failed product (at least for some). At this particular moment, we pause and wonder; if we knew this was going to happen, we could have taken another route. The Failure Modes and Effects Analysis (FMEA) tool helps us to understand the potential risks that may occur […]
Step-by-Step Guide to User Scenarios
During the UX research process, one of our big aims is to understand user behaviour when visiting a website or using a mobile application. Over the course of building this understanding, different tools such as user scenarios can be used to put us on the same page with the user goals and ensure that the suggested solutions […]
Design Thinking Tools and Methods Complete Guide
There are several design thinking tools and methods out there. At the beginning of my learning about these tools, How can we formulate these methods in a clear design thinking methodology to solve different design challenges? Understanding the nature of design thinking helps us identify where and when to use the design thinking tools and […]
13 Online Design Thinking Tools for Mind Mapping
Design thinking tools provide us with the opportunity to explore ideas through their different elements and components, which can lead to developing creative solutions for problems. Mind maps are one of these methods that follow our primary research. After researching the problem, we bring all the related elements and start to see the problem from […]
Design Thinking Tools for Ideation
The ideation stage is a key point in the design thinking process (Known as Define in the Double Diamond Process). It is where the problem or the challenge is defined. The prototyped solutions may not achieve their target goals without a clear definition. Therefore, several design thinking tools can be applied to analyse the research data collected from the previous […]
How to Use the Decision Matrix to Make Decisions?
Making the right decision is the biggest challenge that designers, managers, and innovators face, especially when there can be more than one possible choice to select from and multiple factors that need to be evaluated to make the right decision. The Decision Matrix (also known as the Grid Analysis and Pugh Matrix Analysis) lets you achieve this target by providing […]
What is the 8D Problem Solving? And How to use the 8D Report?
The 8D problem-solving process (also known as the 8 Disciplines) is very different from previous processes we explored previously, such as the Double Diamond process or the IBM Design Thinking. The 8D process works in a rigid standardised nature to address the crisis caused by problems. The 8D process aims to walk with the team […]
What Are The Six Thinking Hats? And How to Use Them?
Design thinking and group discussion are highly complex processes in which thoughts are shared, ideas bubble up, and others are buried. De Bono's Six Thinking Hats technique provides a systematic solution to sharing and improving ideas by eliminating idea-destructive elements during brainstorming meetings. Our human thinking can be unstructured and reinforced, so different types of […]
How to Apply Paul-Elder Critical Thinking Framework
The critical thinking framework provides an efficient method for designers, design students, and researchers to evaluate arguments and ideas through rational reasoning. As a result, we eliminate biases, distractions, and similar factors that negatively affect our decisions and judgments. We can use critical thinking to escape our current mindsets to reach innovative outcomes. The critical thinking framework is based […]
What is Design? And What is not?
What is design? We will explore design characteristics based on different scholars and practitioners to answer this question.
The Double Diamond Design Thinking Process and How to Use it
We explored the design thinking different frameworks in various articles, and one of these models is the Double Diamond design thinking process which the British Design Council developed. Like other design thinking processes, it uses critical thinking and reflective practice to apply design characteristics to reach creative solutions and innovative ideas. Related articles: Design Thinking […]
How to use Card Sorting to Improve Service Design
Service design follows the same design thinking processes that we highlighted in previous articles about design thinking. However, when it comes to the prototyping stage, there should be a coherent structure for the information structure provided to the consumers during their product or service usage. Organising the information can be represented in the tagging system in […]
Starbursting Technique: Evaluating New Ideas
Starbursting is another creative brainstorming tool with a different approach from other brainstorming techniques. When the team inside the organisation brainstorms new ideas using mind mapping and brainstorming tools, the focus is on generating ideas and accepting all ideas. This approach aims to expand the problem exploration in an early stage of the design thinking […]
30+ Distance Learning Tools And Advices for Design Educators
In response to the Coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak, many educational institutions have recommended their students to switch to distance learning or online learning to reduce the chances to get infected and reduce physical contact. This action is challenging because of 1) we have not seen such outbreak before, and 2) because many of the design educators […]
PESTLE Analysis and When to Use it
Finding a creative idea is only the first step in every innovation process, understanding the whole picture about business and forecast both internal and external factors that may affect it is critically required before releasing to the market. At this point, tools like the PESTLE analysis and SWOT analysis come into action. In a previous […]
The Role of Storytelling in the Design Process
Storytelling is in the heart of our DNA as a human being, it helps us connect events is a holistic experience through time. This unique nature of stories makes it one of the essential tools during the design process of both products and services. Previously, we explored the nature of the design thinking process and […]