In the YCISL program, particularly with the project work, we have been taking our asking questions design thinking method and placing it in a storytelling frame. When ideating concepts, teams have to ask Who? What? Where? When? Why? & How? questions regarding the story frame they wish to open presentation of their concept. The aim is to engage the viewer to share or empathize with the problem or need. In a Thinking Out Loud session I recently presented in, I had students “doodle” a scene where their product and user were together. I asked them to try to answer as many of the design thinking questions as they could through their doodle sketch. Working on such a sketch helps teams learn their concept’s positioning and application circumstance as well as opportunities for adding details and filling gaps.
The doodle sketch above reflects an exercise I have used where we look at sustainability in bathroom lighting.
Want to try this method? Here is a 3-step method to try:
- Form and answer the design thinking questions.
- Make a preliminary sketch using the answers.
- Add details to the sketch to focus on one concept message (eg, your problem statement or your concept statement).
Bonus: give your sketch a title (could be your concept title).