{"id":17430,"date":"2016-06-07T12:00:45","date_gmt":"2016-06-07T17:00:45","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/getflywheel.com\/?p=17430"},"modified":"2023-03-10T14:31:53","modified_gmt":"2023-03-10T20:31:53","slug":"how-to-solve-problems-like-a-designer","status":"publish","type":"resource","link":"https:\/\/wpengine.com\/case-studies\/resources\/how-to-solve-problems-like-a-designer\/","title":{"rendered":"How to Solve Problems Like a Designer"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Designers are incredibly unique creatures. Where other people see a blank space, a designer sees an opportunity to create. Where others outside the field might think in black and white, designers think in full spectrum. There are just so many things that make designers unique, but that\u2019s the beauty of being one. It means that there are things only you can see.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This becomes a relevant fact when it comes to problem-solving.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A Look at Design Thinking<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Yes, even designers have their own framework that they use, whether knowingly or subconsciously, every time they are presented with a problem. This is what you call \u201cdesign thinking<\/a>.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Through design thinking, one is able to convert observations into insights, and these insights into products and services that aim to provide solutions to existing problems. It\u2019s not just about presenting options that look good or follow trends. It\u2019s also about being able to make a difference, eventually creating ways to make each user\u2019s life better.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Design Thinking vs Traditional Problem-Solving<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

So, what\u2019s the difference between traditional problem solving and design thinking?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

When you solve problems the traditional way, you pinpoint the problem and use a scientific approach to find solutions. After all, science solves almost everything, right? Well, not all the time. A scientific approach rarely leaves room for flexibility and innovation, which means that when something goes wrong, you have to start from scratch.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

And what if the problem pointed out isn\u2019t really the real source of the issue? Then you would have exerted a lot of effort and used up a lot of resources before figuring out that you\u2019re trying to solve the wrong problem. At the end of the day, this leads to failure.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This is where design thinking comes in.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Where traditional thinking starts in identifying the problem, design thinking starts with observation. This allows the observant to truly understand the nature and culture of the problem instead of JUST the problem.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Five Steps in Design Thinking<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The process involved in design thinking applies five different principles that often makes it more effective than the traditional method.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Empathize<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The empathy stage is where the problem solver tries to understand the audience. After all, two people may have the same problem but with different contexts. Two people may have financial problems, for example, but one could be inherited while the other is mostly because of the lack of discipline. This is why it is very important to understand where the people involved are coming from.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

When you empathize, you try to take a deeper look into what your audience\u2019s values, beliefs, and needs are. For you to gather the data you need, you would have to observe – a lot! You have to watch how your audience moves and listen to the way they speak. You have to engage them and start conversations. It\u2019s a process of interaction, of building real connections.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Define<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The definition stage is where you try to establish a point of view. Now that you are armed with the data you have gathered through audience observation, you can finally compile it and find patterns and connections. What do all these pieces of information mean? What does it say about the audience you worked with and their needs?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ideate<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

This is the stage where you start formulating ideas to come up with possible solutions. Remember that this involves creative thinking and not the usual exact scientific process, so nothing is really off limits here. Throw in every relevant idea you have. It\u2019s not about finding that one perfect idea, it\u2019s all about opening up as many possibilities and opportunities as you can.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The best way to do this would be to collaborate with other team members. Every person has their own brand of creativity, so the more people pitching in, the more unique ideas you get.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Prototype<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Now that you\u2019re in the prototype stage, you can start trying out multiple solutions. Remember that you have quite a few ideas to try out from the previous brainstorming session, so the more ideas you try, the more ways for you to solve the problem as well.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

And yes, it\u2019s possible that two or three different approaches could show satisfactory results. Even better, the prototype stage could also show you a few new ideas that you weren\u2019t able to think of before.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Test<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

In the testing stage, you will be able to find what the best solution is for each specific type of audience. You can finally let your audience experience how your ideas work and see if these ideas are truly as genius as you think they are.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As mentioned earlier, you could see two or three solutions that would work – it\u2019s all about discovering which one is the most efficient and effective.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In the testing stage, it\u2019s possible for you to go back to any of the previous stages you have already completed. If your audience finds something wrong with your prototypes for example, there may be a need for you to go back to the drawing board. Of course, that\u2019s the beauty of design thinking as opposed to traditional thinking. This process leaves enough room for change and flexibility, so you can jump to any step you want as needed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As you can see, design thinking is just a jumbled up version of the traditional scientific method.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tips for Applying Design Thinking<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

So how do you effectively apply design thinking in solving problems and creating solutions? Here are a few tips you can use to make this work for you:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Focus on Your Users<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Remember that this is not about you, it\u2019s about your audience\u2019s problems. You have to think about how your users would feel every step of the way. The moment you disregard their opinions, beliefs, values, or insight, you also open up the path to failure.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"a<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

How do you know whether something will work for your users if you haven\u2019t gone to the testing stage just yet? Focus on the first step \u2013 observe. A few questions that would help are:<\/p>\n\n\n\n