Design problems are a challenge that has troubled business owners and designers alike for decades now. Yet, they’re also caused by the same people that they impact.
After dealing with design challenges for a while, most people tend to either give up entirely or get someone else to do the work for them. As helpful as it is to recruit extra hands to tackle a design problem, it can be quite costly as an alternative, and it may not always yield the result that one expects.
Out of all the factors that any business or agency will have to take on when dealing with design problems, the inability to articulate a particular need concerned with the issue at hand can be the most overwhelming. Generally, there are several ways to approach a design problem with a certain level of effectivity, but framing design problem statements is a solution that seems to work best.
Why should I care about framing a design problem?”
Framing a design problem is one of the foremost steps in the overall solving process because it acts as a guide towards achieving an effective human-centred design. As convenience continues to prove itself, framing a design problem will give you the competitive edge that you need.
What goes on when framing a design problem?
Through the proper implementation of framing a design problem, you’ll be able to prioritize the user who interacts with your design and what purpose they’d like to accomplish, which essentially entails a significant amount of user research.
During the course of the framing process, getting any piece of information about your target users is critical, regardless of whether it’s sourced through competitive analysis or user interviews. With the help of design problem statements, however, you’ll be able to target deep-rooted desires right away through a fine-tuned hypothesis that’s backed up by data. A design problem statement allows designers and agencies alike to understand an underlying issue in a much clearer manner, which inadvertently leads to greater results.
How framing a design problem works
A framed design problem is generally similar to a hypothesis that you’d find in a scientific study or report. If you’re looking to create an application for a modern commuter, for example, a framed design problem statement may look anything like this: “Commuters need a way to calculate their arrival times and routes better because they cannot rely on traditional print signs and self-calculations.”
This example shows a deep-rooted desire for accuracy and punctuality, which a design team can act on by creating an application, service, or social network platform that will cater to the need. Being able to frame a design problem statement will also help the creating team in planning out various navigating decisions and features. As a result, this helps them to focus on design problem-solving while capitalizing on innovation.
Final words
The process of framing a design problem statement allows designers, agencies, and businesses alike to gain a deeper perspective on understanding a common need while figuring out how to solve it through digital means. If you’ve been struggling to approach a client-related problem or seek new opportunities to innovate even further, then it would be a great idea to frame a design problem statement first.
If you are looking for problem framing workshops, get in touch with us today to see how we can help.