Summary
Early in projects, big or small, resist the urge to go with your first idea, and instead work to explore all kinds of possible solutions. This will allow you to better understand the problem you’re trying to solve, and help you avoid potential pitfalls later in the design process. In this session we’ll explore commonly used design thinking techniques to help you push past the obvious ideas, generate many ideas, and find the right solution.
Key Insights
-
•
A great design solution to a poorly defined problem is worse than an average solution to a well-defined problem.
-
•
Prematurely refining the first idea limits innovative solutions and understanding of the problem context.
-
•
How might we statements help reframe problems as opportunity areas without jumping to solutions.
-
•
What if prompts encourage exploring messy or unrealistic ideas that can inspire parts of the final design.
-
•
Designing for edge cases, such as users with disabilities, can lead to innovations that improve products for everyone.
-
•
Visual ideation tools like wireframe collages and borrowing layouts from existing apps can jumpstart creativity.
-
•
Anonymous idea submissions reduce bias and encourage freer creativity in ideation sessions.
-
•
Facilitators need to manage dynamics like dominant voices and intimidation to maintain an open ideation environment.
-
•
Involving diverse team members, including leadership and creators, creates shared context and better solutions.
-
•
Voting techniques like dot voting with limited 'funds' can avoid false groupthink and help prioritize ideas objectively.
Notable Quotes
"A great design solution for a poorly defined problem is infinitely worse than an average solution applied to a well-defined problem."
"Don't get stuck in the refinement stage too early."
"How might we statements are small but mighty questions that reframe insights into opportunity areas."
"What if prompts are a way to try things that might be messy or not realistic but could play a small part in the final design."
"Designing for an edge case can lead to something everyone wants to use because it's more comfortable."
"Just throw away the rule book early and get as many ideas out of your head and onto a screen as fast as possible."
"Borrowing from existing digital products isn't stealing, it's drawing on their experience to solve your problem."
"Anonymity can help reduce bias especially when some voices have more sway in the room."
"Ideation with diverse participants creates full context so you're not second-guessing the problem or solution."
"Using dot voting with limited votes is like a venture capital exercise that forces ranking and reduces groupthink."
Or choose a question:
More Videos
"You need strong regional players with negotiation skills to navigate the split loyalties in global teams."
Adam Cutler Karen Pascoe Ian Swinson Susan WorthmanDiscussion
June 8, 2016
"UXers are less satisfied than their peers because we have failed to set expectations about the real work of UX in organizations."
Peter MerholzThe Trials and Tribulations of Directors of UX (Videoconference)
July 13, 2023
"If you haven’t designed who your teams are and who your players are, expecting people to comply with standards won’t work."
Lisa WelchmanCleaning Up Our Mess: Digital Governance for Designers
June 14, 2018
"Policy change is the backbone of effective climate strategies in urban areas."
Vincent BrathwaiteOpener: Past, Present, and Future—Closing the Racial Divide in Design Teams
October 22, 2020
"OKRs are a tool for each of us to tidy our house and focus on what’s important."
Brenna FallonLearning Over Outcomes
October 24, 2019
"It’s human infrastructure—community organizing, unions, activists—that saves the day when other infrastructures break down."
Tricia WangSpatial Collapse: Designing for Emergent Culture
January 8, 2024
"Research should be done the same way products are built, with stakeholders as your users."
Edgar Anzaldua MorenoUsing Research to Determine Unique Value Proposition
March 11, 2021
"The toy shouldn’t be the goal of play, but a tool or a process that unlocks the unlimited possibilities set forth before a child."
Designing Systems at Scale
November 7, 2018
"Ethics evolve faster than law; just because something is legal doesn’t mean it’s ethical."
Erin WeigelGet Your Whole Team Testing to Design for Impact
July 24, 2024
