Shine bright like a (double) diamond. Our key to delivering great results
Whether or not you caught the subtle Rihanna reference in the title, one thing remains clear: like a diamond in the rough, exceptional design and development solutions often hide beneath layers of complexity. To uncover that complexity, we need the right tools. This is why we use the Double Diamond technique in our day-to-day work. Here’s how!
by
enovatika
•
11 min read
We believe that, in the dynamic world of UI/UX design and development, having a structured approach is essential to creating amazing digital experiences. One such approach is the Double Diamond Technique, a framework that has gained popularity for its user-focused design process and a work method we found helpful in our projects.
What is the Double Diamond Theory?
The Double Diamond Theory is a design framework that emphasizes divergent and convergent thinking at various stages of the design process. It was first introduced by the Design Council in the United Kingdom in the early 2000s.
This framework is built on the idea that effective design solutions emerge from a well-structured and iterative process that accounts for both problem exploration and solution generation.
How do we use the Double Diamond Theory?
At its core, the Double Diamond Theory represents a holistic approach to problem-solving when it comes to UI/UX and development. It consists of four distinct phases, which form a "diamond" shape, representing divergent and convergent thinking. The process encourages designers and developers to explore a problem broadly before narrowing down and refining their ideas. So this is how we work!
Let's delve into each of the four phases:
1. Discover
In the first phase, Discover, the focus is on understanding the problem space and user needs. We stopped rushing to that top-of-mind, most convenient solution a long time ago.
Our designers and developers engage in extensive research, empathy-building, and information gathering. This phase is all about widening the scope of possibilities and gaining insights into the challenges users face. We do that by conducting user interviews, surveys, or competitive analyses to identify pain points users encounter. We stay open and ask questions.
2. Define
After gathering a lot of useful information in the Discover phase, our team moves on to the Define phase. Here, the goal is to synthesize all the collected data and define a clear problem statement. It's essential to narrow down the scope and identify the core challenges to tackle. This phase requires designers and developers to converge on a specific issue to address because you can’t have a proper solution without first formulating a clear problem.
3. Develop
With a well-defined problem statement in hand, the next phase is Develop. In this phase, designers and developers engage in creative brainstorming and idea generation – maybe our favorite part of the process. The focus is on divergent thinking again, exploring a wide range of possible solutions without rushing to judgment. Prototyping and testing are key activities during this stage. We let our minds wander and search for the most creative, efficient, and innovative solutions.
4. Deliver
The final phase, Deliver, is where the convergent thinking comes back into play. Our team chooses the most promising solution from the development phase and refines it into a fully realized product. This phase involves detailed design, development, and rigorous testing to ensure that the solution effectively addresses the defined problem and meets user needs.
When it all wraps up, the client gets the final result, and their reaction of "This is just what I needed!" isn't some magic trick—it's all thanks to the double diamond theory.
If you want to see us at work, we invite you to check out our projects and follow us along on our Resources page, where we constantly share insights.
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enovatika is a UI/UX design & development agency in Timisoara, Romania. We partner with Startups, SMBs, and SMEs to deliver impactful web and mobile applications worldwide.
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