Design

… and How I Do It

A short presentation of how I understand the design process and currently approach each step, as well as where I believe my strengths lie.

Based on the 5-Step Design Thinking model of the Hasso-Plattner Institute of Design at Stanford (d.school)

3

Empathise 

Use various methods of understanding the users, or would-be users, of the product. In the end, we’re designing for the user, not for ourselves, and we need their point of view. This requires conversations with them, and observation of their behavior.

What tools would I use to empathise with the user? 

  1. User interviews
  2. Immerse in the user’s typical environment
  3. Study products the users like

Define

Once we have data about our users, analyze that data to define the problems expressed and demonstrated by our users. Organize the data to reveal user patterns.

What tools would I use to define the problems?

  1. Empathy mapping
  2. Writing a Problem Statement
  3. “How might we …?” questions
  4. Personas
  5. Journey Mapping

Ideate

This is where the creative juices start to flow. With an understanding of the user and the problem, we can now churn out solutions through methods that encourage creativity.

What tools would I use to ideate?

  1. Brainstorming

Prototype

With the best ideas now filtered out, we can begin to give our product physical form. As we are still designing, start with low fidelity models that can be easily updated when the process produces new insights from the users.

What tools would I use to prototype?

  1. Wireframing, on paper and in Sketch or Figma
  2. Paper, Pencil, Marker, and Scissors

Test

Now bring back the user to see if we understood them fully. We probably did not. The results of this stage will often send us back to one or more of the earlier stages. Once we’ve tested the product to the point of “good enough” we’ll be ready to roll out Version 1.0 and test the mass market of users with our awesome (we hope) product.

What tools would I use to test on users?

  1. Sketch conversion of Wireframes to Hi-Fidelity prototypes.
  2. Usability Testing

Personal Strengths

So where do I fit into this model?

I feel most comfortable in the 3 middle stages:
Define, Ideate, and Prototype

Why?

Define Stage – My Bachelors and Masters in Talmudic Law trained me to think analytically and derive principles of law from Talmudic cases and statements of opinion. I continue to pursue these studies today.

Ideate, and Prototype Stages  – My creative experience in graphic and web design has exposed me to the ins and outs of websites and user interaction and the informal methods of the creative process.