Design Thinking is an iterative process in which we seek to understand the user, challenge assumptions, and redefine problems in an attempt to identify alternative strategies and solutions that might not be instantly apparent with our initial level of understanding. At the same time, Design Thinking provides a solution-based approach to solving problems. It is a way of thinking and working as well as a collection of hands-on methods (Rikke Friis Dam & Teo Yu Siang 2020). It focuses on designing based on understanding the people for whom one is designing for.

Human-centered design overlays design thinking by focusing on the relevance of a product to the user. It is designing that aims to address the core needs of those experiencing a problem. 

It is an approach that strives to design or create products that are usable and useful by concentrating on the user, their needs and requirements, and by applying human factors/ergonomics, and usability knowledge and techniques.

Phases of Design Thinking 

In the idea development stage you have already walked through some of the phases of design thinking. As you read through this theory, reflect on the processes you have already gone through. 

Empathize 

Put aside all assumptions and gather facts about the user. At this phase, the developer spends time to know and understand what the user wants, needs and objectives by observing and engaging with the user in order to understand him/her on a psychological and emotional level.

Define

Start making sense of the data collected in phase 1: Identify what the user is missing? What problems are they facing? How can this problem be resolved? This will help you develop a clear problem statement; the key is to frame the problem in a user-centered way. Once a problem statement is formulated begin coming up with solutions and ideas.

Ideate

At this phase, the idea is to collaborate and develop ideas. It is time to establish potential solutions, put on your thinking cap and be open to anything that comes to mind. This phase allows you to implement ideation techniques that will assist in narrowing down the ideas. The developer should be willing to challenge established beliefs and explore new options and alternatives of resolving a problem.

Prototype

This phase is about turning ideas into tangible products; the key is to put each solution to the test and to highlight any constraints and flaws.

During this phase, the proposed solutions may be accepted, improved, redesigned or rejected depending on how they fare in prototype form.

Test

It is time to test your sample; this phase usually feels like the last stage in design thinking, however, the results of the testing phase may lead you back to the prototyping phase, providing the insights you need to redefine the original problem statement or to come up with new ideas you hadn’t thought of before.