Design Thinking Fundamentals

Study Notes

Definition: A low-fidelity visual representation of a product or interface, used to plan and communicate the basic structure and functionality of a design.
Purpose:
- To quickly and inexpensively explore and test different design ideas
- To identify and resolve usability issues early in the design process
- To facilitate communication and collaboration between designers, stakeholders, and developers
Characteristics:
- Low-fidelity, using simple shapes and lines
- Focus on functionality and layout, rather than visual design
- Often created using paper or digital tools, such as Sketch or Figma
Benefits:
- Encourages iterative design and rapid prototyping
- Helps to identify and prioritize design requirements
- Facilitates feedback and testing from users and stakeholders

Definition: A design approach that focuses on understanding the needs, desires, and limitations of users to create products that are intuitive, easy to use, and meet their needs.
Principles:
- Empathy: Understanding the user's perspective and needs
- Creativity: Generating a wide range of ideas and solutions
- Experimentation: Prototyping and testing to validate assumptions
- Iteration: Refining and improving the design based on user feedback
Human-Centered Design Process:
1. Empathize: Understand the user's needs and pain points
2. Define: Define the problem and identify opportunities for design
3. Ideate: Generate a wide range of ideas and solutions
4. Prototype: Create a tangible representation of the design
5. Test: Test the design with real users and gather feedback
Benefits:
- Creates products that meet the needs and desires of users
- Increases user engagement and satisfaction
- Encourages a culture of innovation and experimentation