my fundamentals
Design thinking is a process that can really make the difference and create the spark of tangible innovation. Below, I have described the foundations on which I model and adapt my method according to the type of product and its nature, whether digital or physical.
01
Emphatize
This is the starting point of all stages. The main focus is to delve deeply into the situation. Explore every detail with empathy and curiosity, keeping your main target in mind. Take a breath and try to feel the same emotions as the primary user. Gather all the data, let it sink in, and identify what is crucial to make a difference. Stay focused, and observe and understand how the primary user interacts with and perceives the product.
Deep analysis
02
Define
In the synthesis phase, the team gathers and analyzes the data collected during the initial divergent analysis phases, identifying patterns, areas of opportunity, and user types. The problem or project perspective is clearly defined, often creating "personas" that represent different types of users. This phase aims to gain a deep understanding of user needs and critical points of the problem.
General brainstorming
Synthesis
Persona creation
03
Ideate
This is the most intriguing and magical phase of the macro-cycle, where the team delves into idea generation, leveraging the synthesis from the preceding phase. Creative brainstorming sessions are conducted to explore a wide range of possible solutions for each task. There are no bad ideas in this phase; the goal is to think broadly and freely. After the idea generation phase, the team moves on to evaluate and select the best solutions, considering factors such as feasibility, impact on users, and alignment with project objectives. These phases integrate to guide the team in discovering innovative solutions and focusing on the user. Concepts represent initial attempts to outline and share ideas with the ultimate intention of fostering constructive discussions and harnessing the incredible generative power of the team.
Focused brainstorming
Idea generation
Concept development
04
Prototype
It's the first 3D concretization of thought. By building prototypes, selected ideas become tangible and perceivable. Prototypes can range from a simple prototype of the critical function to the final prototype. Failing early gives us the opportunity to learn and build a better prototype in the next iteration.
Fast and cheap
Love it, change it or leave it
Incremental approach
05
Test
In the testing phase of design thinking, the prototype is presented to end users to gather detailed feedback on their interactions and opinions. This feedback informs future improvements and ensures that the solution is user-centered. The process is iterative, allowing the team to make changes based on the test results until an optimal solution is achieved. During testing, team members carefully observe user behavior, recording their actions, reactions, and opinions. These observations provide valuable insights into how to further optimize the solution.
User's test
Functional test
Refine your P.O.V
00
Repeat again and again and again…
Design thinking is an iterative method that emphasizes continuous refinement and improvement. It involves repeatedly cycling through phases of understanding users, ideating solutions, prototyping, and testing. Each iteration builds on the feedback and insights gained from the previous cycle, allowing for constant adjustments and enhancements. This iterative nature ensures that the design evolves and adapts to better meet the users' needs and solve the problem more effectively.