Bringing Design Thinking to Open Source

Bringing Design Thinking to Open Source

Erin Jo Richey

@erinjo erin@withknown.com

withknown.com!

WHAT IS DESIGN THINKING?!

It is a methodology that brings a spirit of human-centered design to innovation.

brainstorm!

test!

implement!

repeat!

Desirable!

Viable!Feasible!

Innovation!

(business)!

(technology)!

(design)!

In many organizations, designers are brought on later to add a beautiful layer and

smooth out rough edges.

Rather than ask designers to make an already developed idea more appealing…

design thinking invites us to start at the beginning and create ideas that better meet

customers’ desires and needs.

Design thinking sparks innovation, but innovation isn’t easy.

Design thinking is not: it’s not a process just for designers

it’s not for adding aesthetic appeal

it’s not for layering on late in the game

it’s not for quickly achieving miracles

it’s not a mandate that must be followed each time

Design thinking is: focused on collaboration & interdisciplinary teams

used for solving human-centered problems

a guide for the entire process

a way to move toward innovation through iterations

a set of tools and techniques for problem solving

WHY DESIGN THINKING?!It helps us solve problems and find innovative solutions.

Design has become more valuable as a competitive asset in some fields.

Innovation isn’t a breakthrough. It’s achieved through trial and error,

experimentation, and lots of hard work.

Design thinking isn’t just about creating new products or services; it’s about finding

opportunities for growth.

Innovation is powered by a thorough understanding, through direct observation,

of what people want and need.

WHY DO WE USE DESIGN THINKING AT KNOWN?!

WHY FOCUS ON DESIGN THINKING TODAY?!

To offer a blueprint for a more creative approach to problem solving amongst different levels and teams

The four stages of design thinking

What is?! What if?! What wows?!What works?!

Looking broadly, progressively expanding our field of vision

Narrowing our options to those that are most promising

What is?!explores the current reality

What if?!envisions options for the future

What wows?!narrows choices to the best

What works?!tests in the real world

Tools for design thinking

Tools I’m discussing today

LEARNING FROM PEOPLE!Tools: Ethnography & Interviews, along with surveys and feedback

OUR USER RESEARCH TEMPLATES ARE OPEN ON GITHUB!

http://github.com/idno/User-Research

LEARNING FROM PEOPLE!This led to finding patterns, discovering previously unknown insights.

MAKING THINGS TANGIBLE!Tools: Rapid prototyping, Testing

#tags

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MAKING THINGS TANGIBLE!This led to iterating relentlessly, trying out and killing features.

CREATING TOGETHER!Tools: Co-Creation, Learning Launch

CREATING TOGETHER!This led to failing fast and moving forward.

Design thinking is not just for designers.

Design thinking shouldn’t be intimidating.

Use it if you want to move faster, work with a smaller budget, push toward innovation,

or establish a competitive edge.

RESOURCES!Books and articles to learn more

Thank you!

@erinjo erin@withknown.com