Introduction to Design Process

Introduction to Design Process
Design Process is a way to think and design to solve problems. It is a process that can be replicated and used for a variety of different problems for small scale products to complex services. The process has several stages and steps, and each on them can be methodized and be done regularly. In a few words, it is a combination of analytical accuracy, synthesis methods & tools, and is based around the "building up" of ideas.

Typically, we start with something that called Design Research. This is to acquire a view of the world, and to interact with end users in order to understand their needs and desires, as well as to understand what opportunities there are for design improvements changes. Design research could potentially lead to the discovery of hidden desires, and also potentially vital design insights.

After we have gathered a significant amount of data and insights, we then proceed to synthesis in order to understand the relationships within data, from which we extract meaningful insights. Synthesis is interpretive, it is to the individual - which means that each person who synthesizes the data will most likely end up with different results, which is the beauty of synthesis.

After the synthesis, we continue with the iterative process of design where we make things, form scenarios, stories in visual forms, and storyboards. We illustrate interaction over time, how people grow with the product, and how they relate to it. The purpose of the story is how time plays a role.

As these stories get refined, you design wireframes, product sketches, service road maps, journey maps, that all become a blueprint that help visualize the service or product we try to design. And these increasing growth as in fidelity as the idea grows and matures. For the last stage, we reach the evaluation, where we test the things we have created to understand if and why people use our products, and market validation to see if people will buy our products in the first place, as well as how people are going to behave once those products have become part of their life.

Methods & Tools
Research: Contextual Design (ethnography), 2X2 Mapping, Storytelling, Cultural Probes
Synthesis: Theory of Change, Reframing method, Concept Mapping (zoom Semantic), Insight Combination
Ideation: Brainstorming principles, Building up other people's ideas, mapping ideas
Design & Iteration: Products Sketches/wireframes, Scenario Planning, Journey Maps, Use Cases, Bodystorm, Service Blueprint.

Outcome of 1day workshop
The outcome of the workshop should bring about a good understanding on the design approach to solve problems, how to combine analytics with creativity that will promote a culture of prototyping and a bias towards introduction to methods in a teamwork environment.

How you can use it tomorrow
Participants will get a preliminary look and trial of new tools, methods and processes that can apply in their jobs to improve existing designs and products or even discover new ways to think and to work.

Date: March 24th, 2012, 11 am - 7 pm Arrival: from 10.30 am
Instructor: Nasos Kouroupis
Seats are limited, please register before the workshop.
Fees: 15€/ Students, 20€/ Professionals

8hour workshop schedule
10m: Introduction to problem solving as a design approach
10m: On Retroductive and Abducting methods and why.
5m: Team and effective ideation Principles
Team Formation
Teams picking up their subject (3 teams of 5)
10m: Step One: Design Research
—Methods
2hours Teams working and gathering Data

30-40 Break
10m: Step One: Synthesis
1:30h: Teams applying synthesis tools and methods to find opportunities.

Break for discussion
10m: Step One: Design & Iteration
Rest of the day teams applying design methods

15minutes Presentation
20minutes Questions and Answers

For further information please contact konstantina@loft2work.gr