Design thinking is a human-centered approach to solving design problems using a cognitive and strategic method. Design thinking has given a sense of direction to many users looking for answers to numerous issues. One of the main reasons design thinking works is because of its human-centered nature. It's the reason people have adapted and continue to use it in their brainstorming sessions. Design thinking follows certain principles to give you the best results. Let's have a look at some of the said principles :
People-centred
At Avian Design, we believe "Design is for people, not products". We believe in building a good relationship with the client before getting into the work projects. Design thinking enables you to be more user-orientated. It not only focuses on the issue at hand but also considers the user’s perspective. This way, the user feels heard and would be more responsive and open to your suggestions. As a designer, you need to build soft skills that facilitate the communication between you and the client. UX design is all about the 'user experience'. So, naturally, the user's vision, goals, expectations, and feedback should be the main priority. When you follow a human-centered approach, you will better understand the user and the vision for the product.
Solve the right problem
Design thinking is all about solving the issues faced by the user most simply and practically possible. However, the question is not about solving a particular problem; it’s about solving the correct one. You see, as a company, you are going to have a lot of issues to deal with. However, nitpicking the important ones would ensure the utmost growth of the company. This way, you don't waste your time, resources, and efforts on the wrong issue. Prioritising always helps build up the case and deliver the best results. Go through all the details and consciously choose the one that will be the most profitable.
Everything is a system
Design thinking requires you to hone exceptional organisational skills. Planning and tracking all the activities are crucial. You have to be up-to-date about all the tasks and track the progress from time to time. There are hundreds of applications available on the internet to help you organise and manage your time efficiently. To name a few, Clockify, Trello, Slack, Google Calendar all are user-friendly apps where you can track all your activities alongside your co-workers. Assigning projects, setting deadlines, reviewing the work, everything becomes effortless. You need to have a system that will work for you and make the job easier for you.
Simplicity
A series of small things do great things brought together. It's the small and simple interventions that bring significant change to the company. Minor tweaks here and there can make a design from good to exceptional. However, design thinking is not limited to your client projects. You can use these strategies in your everyday life. Make small changes in your workplace to improve efficiency. For example, take mini breaks to avoid fatigue, go through your schedule before leaving your house in the morning, take advantage of your commute time to go over pending emails and messages. These are small tasks that could save you a lot of time and effort.
Design thinking is not restricted to your work life. You can learn the methods and strategies taught in design thinking and implement them in your personal life. It's a way to make your work easy and uncomplicated. What are some other pros of design thinking you can think of? Share it with us in the comment section below! Tune in for more from Dezy It!