Academic year

Semester Number

Human Computer
Interaction
The Double Diamond of Design

• The design council of the United Kingdom defined a framework in

2004 that helps designers formalize their work.

2
The Double Diamond of Design
• The double diamond is based on the frame innovation approach coined by Kees
Dorst, Professor of Design Innovation at the University of Technology.
• In his approach, the design process can be divided into problem space and solution
space.
• The problem space is when designers explore the problem, including its complex
nature, and end with a clear definition of the problem.
• The second stage is the solution space, where ideas are generated, visualised, and
tested prototypes. At the end of this stage, the final product is created and delivered
to the end-user.
• The frame innovation is applied to the Double Diamond framework as the first two
steps (Discover and Define) present the first stage (problem space), and the third
and fourth steps (Develop and Deliver) represent the second stage (solution space).
3
The Double Diamond of Design (2)
• The double diamond represents a process of exploring an issue more widely or
deeply and then taking an action.
• In the context of the Double Diamond design approach, divergent thinking and convergent thinking
are two distinct modes of thinking used at different stages of the design process. The Double Diamond
is a problem-solving framework that consists of four phases: Discover, Define, Develop, and Deliver.
Divergent thinking and convergent thinking are associated with the first two phases of the process.
– Divergent thinking:
- Divergent thinking is characterized by generating a wide range of ideas, possibilities, and
alternatives. It involves exploring multiple perspectives, brainstorming, and fostering creativity.

- During the "Discover" phase of the Double Diamond, divergent thinking is employed to gather
insights, explore user needs, and identify potential problems or opportunities. The goal is to
generate a diverse range of ideas without judgement or evaluation, encouraging free-flowing
and open-ended thinking.
4
The Double Diamond of Design (2)
– Convergent thinking:
Convergent thinking is the process of analyzing, evaluating, and selecting the most
promising ideas or solutions from the divergent thinking phase. It involves narrowing
down options, making decisions, and converging towards a specific solution. In the
"Define" phase of the Double Diamond, convergent thinking is utilized to distill the
insights gathered during the discovery phase and define the problem statement or design
challenge. It involves prioritizing ideas, identifying patterns, and converging on a focused
direction to move forward.

5
The Double Diamond of Design (2)
• The Double Diamond design approach recognizes the importance of both
divergent and convergent thinking in the design process.
• Divergent thinking allows for exploration and creativity, while convergent
thinking brings focus and decision-making. By alternating between these two
thinking modes, designers can generate a broad range of ideas and then refine
and converge on the most viable solutions.
• The four phase of the double diamond framework are:
– Discover
– Define
– Develop
– Deliver

6
The Double Diamond of Design (2)
• The double diamond represents a process of exploring an issue more widely
or deeply and then taking an action.
– Divergent thinking
– Convergent thinking.
• The four phase of the double diamond framework are:
– Discover
– Define
– Develop
– Deliver

7
Discover
• The problem might be new to the
designer.
• Discover(gathering data) phase helps
designers understand the problem
rather than simply assume what the
problem is.
• It involves spending time with users
understanding their problem and what
are their aspirations for the new
system.
– What is currently the product? What is
the UX?
– Why a change is needed? 8
Discover (2)
• Consider the problem of designing a
new navigation display for cars.
• Augmented Reality holographic
display might be an option.
• Designing a solution without
understanding the problem and
current solutions and UX might lead
to disastrous results.
• Discovering the problem is a team-
based activity involves multiple
opinions.
– Divergent thinking
9
Discover
• The first stage is the exploration stage, as the team explores problems or the
target project, such as exploring the root cause of the problem and applying
field research to understand the target challenge.
• The target of this step is to examine and collect information about the design
challenge.
• The Discover step is divergent, which means that all ideas and information
are considered and included.

10
Define

• The second phase is about defining

the area of the problem on which to
focus.
• For example if you want to design a
travel organizer system.
– You might want to focus on business
trips as it is the most stressful.

11
Define
• The Define step is the convergent part of the problem space as it allows ideas
to be narrowed into a clear definition of the problem.
• This definition is the one that will lead the team into the following
prototyping and testing steps.
• This convergent step involves analyzing evidence and filtering ideas to reach
a workable clear brief.

12
Develop(start to design)
• In this phase, the method of interacting with the product is
identified.
• The designer produces a prototype of what he believes the
UI might look like.
– The users should be also involved in this phase to determine from
different design alternatives.

13
Develop
• Develop is the first step in the solution space.
• In this step, the team builds prototypes of the solution and tests it involving
the end-user in the testing process through a divergent approach, which
means that all types of solutions as prototypes.

14
Deliver

• Delivery involves testing out

different solutions at small-scale,
rejecting those that will not work
and improving the ones that will.
• The users are the ones that will
accept or reject the product.

15
Deliver(test and release )
• The relation between the designer the product doesn’t end here.
• Once the product is delivered, the team starts to collect user feedback
and expertise evaluation.
• These commons and feedback are used to improve the future
versions of the product.
• The Deliver is a conversion step where ideas are narrowed to one
final product.

16
Summary:How to Apply the Double Diamond Design
• Discover: Explore the problem
• Tools: Mind maps, multi-perspective problem framing (MPPF),
brainstorming and reversed brainstorming, desk research, field research
(interviews, focus groups and observations) and consumer journey mapping.
• Define: Clearly describe the problem need to be addressed.
Tools: Root-cause analysis, 5 why’s, user story, affinity diagrams
• Develop: Create the solution prototype, test and iterate to improve the
prototype.
Deliver: Deliver the final product to the consumer and get feedback that will
be used to improve the product in the future.
Tools: Surveys, think aloud and shadowing

17
Empirical Evaluation and Iterative Design
• Specific usability and UX goals should be defined at early stages of product
development.
• This allows to evaluate the product after at regular stages through the
development.
– This is sometimes called milestones.
• Iteration of the development activities is inevitable as the designers never get
the solution right from the first time.

18
Early Focus on Users and Tasks
• Users’ tasks and goals are the driving force behind the development.
– Technology just provide the options. It is not the driving force.
• Users’ behavior and context of use are studied.
– How people perform their tasks.
• Users’ characteristics are captured and designed for.
– People are prone to errors and have certain limitations.
• Users are consulted throughout the development phases.
– There are different levels of users involvement. (i.e. Full-time vs part-time)
• Design decisions are based on users’ context and their activities.
– Users also might be allowed to share the decisions with the development team.

19
Interaction Design Activities
• The double diamond provides a high-level basis of what is required
from the development team.
• The four activities of ID are:
– Discovering requirements for the interactive product.
– Designing alternatives to meet those requirements.
– Prototyping the alternative designs so that they can be communicated and
assessed.
– Evaluating the product and the UX it offers.

20
Discovering Requirements
• This activity covers the left side of the double diamonds.
– Understanding the target users
– How the interactive product can help
• Data gathering and analysis techniques is used.
– Interviews
– Questionnaires
– Observation

21
Designing Alternatives
• This activity is part of the develop phase of the double diamonds.
– Proposing design ideas to meet the requirements.
• It consists of two sub-activities:
 Conceptual design: produce the conceptual model for the product, e.g., what
the product should do, behave and look like
 Concrete design: consider detail of the product including the colors, sounds,
images to use, menu design, icon design, etc.

22
Prototyping
• Is also part of the develop phase of the double diamond.
• Interactive design involves design the look and feel of interfaces as
well as their behavior.
• The most effective way users can evaluate a design is through
interacting with it.
– Prototyping doesn’t mean a piece of software. (i.e. paper based
prototypes)

23
Prototyping (2)

24
Evaluating
• Is also part of the develop phase of the double diamond.
• At this stage, the design alternatives are evaluated according to
usability and UX criteria.
• Alternatives are evaluated through prototypes.
– Results are fed back into further design or new alternatives.

25
A Simple ID Life Cycle

26