How do you design for different contexts and domains?

1 Understand the problem

The first step in any design process is to gain an understanding of the problem you are trying to solve. This means defining the scope, goals, requirements, and criteria of your design project. Additionally, it is essential to research the context and domain of your problem, including aspects such as the users, stakeholders, environment, and domain. To do so, you can use various methods and tools such as interviews, surveys, observations, literature reviews, benchmarking, personas, scenarios, user journeys, stakeholder maps, context maps, and problem statements. This will help you identify the user needs and wants; the interests and roles of stakeholders; the physical, social, cultural and legal factors of the environment; and the existing solutions in the domain. Ultimately, this will enable you to create a design that meets user expectations while adapting to or changing its environment.

2 Generate ideas

The next step in the design process is to generate ideas for possible solutions. This means exploring different alternatives, perspectives, and concepts that address the problem. You need to be creative, divergent, and open-minded, but also realistic, relevant, and aligned with the context and domain of your problem. You can use various methods and tools to generate ideas, such as brainstorming, mind mapping, sketching, prototyping, analogies, metaphors, morphological analysis, TRIZ, SCAMPER, and ideation cards.

3 Evaluate ideas

The third step in the design process is to evaluate ideas for potential solutions. This means selecting, refining, and testing the most promising ideas based on the criteria and requirements of your design project. You need to be critical, convergent, and analytical, but also flexible, iterative, and collaborative. You can use various methods and tools to evaluate ideas, such as feasibility studies, cost-benefit analysis, SWOT analysis, decision matrix, feedback sessions, usability testing, A/B testing, and validation cards.

4 Communicate ideas

The final step in the design process is to communicate ideas for chosen solutions. This means presenting, documenting, and explaining your design to your users, stakeholders, and peers. You need to be clear, concise, and convincing, but also respectful, responsive, and ethical. You can use various methods and tools to communicate ideas, such as reports, portfolios, posters, slides, videos, demos, pitches, and stories.

Designing for different contexts and domains is not a linear or one-size-fits-all process. You may need to repeat, revise, or combine some steps depending on the nature and complexity of your problem. You may also need to adapt, customize, or create your own methods and tools to suit your specific context and domain. The key is to be curious, empathetic, and systematic, and to learn from your successes and failures.

5 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?