Double Diamond

Insights
client
UX Process
project type
Insights
Year
2023

Overview

The Double Diamond model is a problem-solving framework used in design thinking. It consists of four stages: Discover, Define, Develop, and Deliver. The model emphasizes the importance of both divergent and convergent thinking throughout the design process. By using this framework, designers can ensure that they are approaching problems and challenges in a structured and effective way, and can create solutions that are targeted, impactful, and relevant.

The First Diamond

Represents the discovery and definition stage, where designers gather information about the problem they are trying to solve and the needs and behaviors of the users who will interact with the solution. This stage involves research, brainstorming, and prototyping.

Discover

During the Discover stage, the goal is to gather information, explore possibilities, and gain insights about the problem or challenge. This is done through a variety of methods, such as research, observation, interviews, and brainstorming sessions.

The Double Diamond model emphasizes the importance of divergent thinking during the Discover stage. This means generating a wide range of ideas and possibilities without judging or evaluating them. This helps to uncover new insights and opportunities that may not have been considered before.

Overall, the Discover stage is a critical first step in the Double Diamond model as it lays the foundation for the rest of the process. By gaining a deep understanding of the problem, designers can move on to the Define stage and begin to develop specific solutions that address the needs and goals of their target audience.

Define

The Define stage is the second stage of the Double Diamond model, which follows the Discover stage. During this stage, the focus is on synthesizing the insights gained during the Discover stage and using them to define the problem or challenge in a clear and actionable way.

The Define stage involves a lot of convergent thinking, which means bringing together different ideas and perspectives to identify common themes and insights. This helps to distill the complex and often ambiguous information gathered during the Discover stage into a clear and focused problem statement.

The Define stage is crucial in the Double Diamond model because it sets the stage for the rest of the process. By defining the problem or challenge, designers can then move on to the Develop stage and begin to generate ideas and solutions that are focused and relevant.

Overall, the Define stage is about taking the insights gained during the Discover stage and turning them into a clear and actionable problem statement that can guide the rest of the design process. By doing so, designers can ensure that they are working on the right problem and that their solutions are targeted and effective.

The Second Diamond

Represents the development delivery stage, where designers take the insights and ideas generated in the discovery stage and turn them into a tangible solution. This stage involves further prototyping, testing, and iteration, with the goal of creating a refined, user-centered solution.

Develop

The Develop stage is the third stage of the Double Diamond model, which follows the Define stage. During this stage, the focus is on generating a wide range of ideas and solutions that address the problem or challenge identified in the Define stage.

The Develop stage involves a lot of divergent thinking, which means generating as many ideas as possible without judging or evaluating them. This can be done through brainstorming sessions, sketching, and other ideation techniques.

Once a large number of ideas have been generated, the focus shifts to convergent thinking. This means evaluating and selecting the most promising ideas based on criteria such as feasibility, desirability, and viability.

The goal of the Develop stage is to generate a range of potential solutions that can be further refined and developed in the next stage of the Double Diamond model.

Overall, the Develop stage is about generating a wide range of ideas and solutions that can address the problem or challenge identified in the Define stage. By doing so, designers can ensure that they have considered a range of possibilities and can select the best solution to move forward with.

Deliver

The Deliver stage is the fourth and final stage of the Double Diamond model, which follows the Develop stage. During this stage, the focus is on implementing and delivering the solution that was selected in the Develop stage.

The Deliver stage involves a lot of convergent thinking, which means refining and finalizing the chosen solution. This can include creating prototypes, conducting user testing, and refining the design based on feedback.

Once the solution has been refined and tested, it can be implemented and delivered to the target audience. This may involve creating a final product, service, or experience, as well as developing marketing and communication strategies to promote it.

The Deliver stage is critical because it is where the design process transitions from ideation to implementation. It is where the solution is brought to life and made available to the people who will use it.

Overall, the Deliver stage is about bringing the solution to market and ensuring that it meets the needs and expectations of the target audience. By doing so, designers can ensure that their work has a meaningful impact and creates value for the people who use it.

Summary

Throughout the process, designers focus on divergent thinking in the discovery stage and convergent thinking in the delivery stage. This means that in the discovery stage, designers explore many possible solutions and ideas, while in the delivery stage, they focus on narrowing down and refining their ideas to create a successful solution.

The UX Double Diamond process is flexible and can be adapted to fit the needs of any project or organization. It is a helpful tool for designers to ensure that they are creating solutions that meet the needs of their users and are grounded in research and testing.

Additional Projects

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