my process

How I approach product design..

In every design journey, from the initial spark of understanding to the refined glow of a successful solution, my process is a deliberate dance through the stages of empathy, definition, ideation, prototyping, testing, and refinement. This iterative and collaborative approach ensures that each creation is not just a design but a dynamic solution deeply rooted in user needs, propelled by innovation, and sculpted by the invaluable insights gained at every turn. Through the rhythm of learning, organizing, and crafting, my commitment to excellence drives me to not only meet expectations but to exceed them, delivering experiences that resonate, engage, and stand the test of user scrutiny. This is the essence of my Design Thinking process—a continuous evolution towards perfection (a big ask), where user-centricity is not just a principle but a living, breathing reality.

LEARN & Empathize

Learn about the product or problem as much as possible.

  • Understanding the Essence:

    • What defines the essence of the product or the core nature of the problem?

  • Historical Context:

    • What events or factors have shaped the history of the product or problem?

  • Relevance and Importance:

    • Why is this product or problem significant, and why should people care about it?

  • Delivering Value:

    • In what ways does it bring value to people or address their needs?

  • Identifying Weaknesses:

    • What are the potential drawbacks or limitations of this product or problem?

  • Competitive Landscape:

    • Are there existing competitors, and if so, what sets this apart or makes it unique?

understand & define

After gathering numerous data points, it's time to piece together the puzzle.

  • Synthesizing Insights:

    • How do the gathered data points connect and contribute to the overall understanding?

  • Macro-level Understanding:

    • Going beyond details, what's the comprehensive understanding of the problem on a macro level?

  • Depth of Inquiry:

    • What questions can be asked to dive even deeper into the intricacies of the problem?

Ideate & organize

  • SMART Goals:

    • Define Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound goals to guide the project.

  • Stakeholder Communication:

    • Ensure relevant dates and tasks are communicated clearly to all stakeholders involved.

  • Unified Communication Channel:

    • Establish a common communication channel to foster efficient and transparent collaboration.

  • Recurring Touchpoints:

    • Schedule and adhere to recurring touch points to keep everyone aligned and informed.

  • Single Source of Truth:

    • Create a centralized repository for design documentation, communicated clearly within the team.

  • Agile Approach:

    • Embrace agility as a core principle, recognizing that change is the only constant. Stay flexible and responsive to evolving needs.

Ideas are the seeds of innovation, but to nurture them into reality, a vision and plan are essential. In this stage, I take the following steps to set up a design project for success:

prototype

Embarking on my favourite phase - rapid prototyping!

  • Design Agility:

    • Swiftly generate design prototypes to visualize concepts and iterate quickly.

  • Feedback Loop:

    • Solicit feedback frequently, creating a continuous loop of improvement.

  • Embrace Failure:

    • View failures as opportunities to learn, ensuring rapid adaptation and improvement.

  • Collective Alignment:

    • Progress to the next stage only when the entire team achieves a consensus on the deliverable.

This phase is where ideas come to life, evolve, and refine through a dynamic interplay of design and feedback.

test

In the pursuit of excellence, I orchestrate an array of user feedback sessions within the project scope.

  • Evaluation Criteria:

    • Determine what aspects of the product resonate with users and what falls short.

  • Utility Assessment:

    • Probe into the tool's usefulness, gauging its practicality and value for users.

  • Emotional Response:

    • Uncover sentiments, identifying aspects that users dislike and those that resonate positively.

  • Feedback Refinement:

    • Pinpoint areas for improvement, translating user insights into actionable refinements.

This stage is a crucial checkpoint, guiding enhancements and ensuring the product aligns seamlessly with user expectations.

Refine & measure

In the realm of design, truth lies in the numbers and impact.

  • Performance Evaluation:

    • Scrutinize the outcomes, determining whether the design falls short or elevates the user experience.

  • Iterative Refinement:

    • If the verdict is suboptimal, it's back to the whiteboard for refinements and enhancements.

  • Continuous Improvement:

    • Iterate through steps 2 to 6, ensuring a perpetual cycle of enhancement and refinement.

Once the design triumphs, the focus shifts to the seamless transition for handover and dedicated support during the development phase. It's a perpetual journey of enhancement, aligning design with the evolving needs and aspirations of users.