My 7-step Design Process

My design process consists of seven crucial steps, starting with Framing the Problem and concluding with Improvising based on the collected feedback after testing the solution.

1. Problem Framing: This step involves preliminary research to understand the problem to be solved, leading to a realized hypothesis. Deeper research is then conducted to validate the need for solving that specific problem or to gain clarity on the direction to follow.

2. Ideation: This step includes brainstorming various ways to optimally solve the problem, which ultimately leads to ideating the solution. Methodologies such as co-designing, facilitation, empathy, and agile development often prove helpful during this stage.

3. Prototyping: At this stage, the best ideas are executed and experimented with to quickly gauge user preferences and evaluate the product-market fit before launching the product.

4. Testing: During this step, one optimal solution is tested with the intended users through a pilot survey-based testing process. This allows for understanding potential failures or loopholes in the solution and validates whether the original designer's intent is perceived as intended.

5. Refinement: Based on highly relevant and applicable feedback from the testing phase, the solution is refined or modified. Sometimes, the designer may need to revisit the problem framing stage to validate the feedback and determine if the realized changes are required based on the initial research.

6. Implementation: At this point, the solution is finally made accessible to its intended users in the market, not only to solve the originally realized problems but also to cater to other relevant categories.

7. Improvisation: This is an ongoing process, which is why we often see products in the market undergoing different versions over time. It is a crucial stage that helps designers adapt to changing user needs and assists businesses in understanding the product demand to formulate future goals.