Process - The "Double Diamond" Design Framework

The 'Double-Diamond', or the 'Framework of Innovation', was a Design process created by the British Design Council, to provide progression and guidance for Designers. It is a framework designed to show how a problem is introduced, and how it can be fixed and enhanced. This framework is split into four different phases; the "Discover" phase, the "Define" phase, "Development" phase and the "Solution" phase. This framework is somewhat a guide for Designers, in terms of how they go about dealing with solutions to problems, in our society today.

The four processes, that make up the "Framework of Innovation" is further split into sub-methods. Each process is a stage, to help the Designers gain more insight into their Consumer's needs and problems, as we further progress through the stages.

In DESIGN100's Week 2 Workshop, led by Design Teacher Zach, we were given an activity called 'Design Sprint". Basically, the activity was to see how we were able to manage, completing each stage of the "Framework of Innovation" in a short period of time, giving us an insight of the methods taken during this long framework process. It was also a way to help us get used to being placed under pressure, having due dates and deadlines (Fitz-Walter, 2020).

Off we went!

The Design Sprint challenge required us to design an ideal wallet for our partners, who we treated as the "consumer" - and vice versa.

This process was a very challenging process as the time was of the essence. More and more, as time chipped away, the pressure became more and more heavy.

These photos show the four processes from the Double-diamond framework, being used. From using the method of "Interview" in the Discover Phase to further understand the client, to doing a little "Empathy Mapping" method, from the "Define" Phase to go into depth and context, with how our client is with their culture, purpose, situations, and more. Then I went onto creating several ways in which could help meet my client's need. I designed a few ways that the wallet could be held, for more convenience.

This method of planning was from "Designing", in the "Development" Phase. To test several solutions and see which possible solution would work best, judging from the past two phases.

In the end - although the time was not on my side - I managed to go through the whole framework, and developing a clear understanding of what my client's needs were and a solution that would satisfy them.

Overall, the process is very simple, and easy, and well equipped with many researching and data-collecting methods which can help aid the designers, like myself.

#DES100

Bhattacherjee, A. (2012). Social science research: Principles, methods, and practices. Available from:https://scholarcommons.usf.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1002&context=oa_textbooks

Chapter 5: How to prototype (Links to an external site.)from Design Methods by Amy J. Ko with contributions from Rachel Franz

Design Council. (Unknown date). Design methods for developing services. Available from: https://www.designcouncil.org.uk/sites/default/files/asset/document/DesignCouncil_Design%20methods%20for%20developing%20services.pdf (Last accessed 13 March 2020).

Fitz-Walter, Z. (2020, March 13). Personal interview with [V Auvele]