The document outlines a 10-step process for solving design problems: 1) Visit the site to observe; 2) Research background information; 3) Ask key stakeholders for input; 4) Listen at public workshops; 5) Define the project scope and team; 6) Play with design possibilities; 7) Try out ideas through prototypes; 8) Design in iterative loops with feedback; 9) Present the final design and design process; 10) Check the construction and make tweaks.

1. how I solve a
design problem
winstonj. donmark

3. 1.
visit

4. 1.
visit
site at different times:
listen; note
use, flow, and light;
photograph; and
sketch.

5. 1.
visit

6. 1.
visit
2.
research

7. 1.
visit
2.
research
all background:
floorplans, maps, measurements, histor
y, manufacturers, conditions, budgets, r
ecords, minutes, legal
requirements, and other solutions/best
case examples I admire.

8. 1.
visit
2.
research

9. 1.
visit
2.
research
3.
ask

10. 1.
visit
2.
research
3.
ask
key representatives: identify
populations, users, decision-
makers, and under-
represented/voiceless; to gather
stories, info, ideas, and
stewardship.

11. 1.
visit
2.
research
3.
ask

12. 1.
visit
2.
research
3.
ask
4.
listen

13. 1.
visit
2.
research
3.
ask
4.
listen
at public workshops: with
different groups to gather
info, ideas, and build
consensus, understanding, an
d support.

14. 1.
visit
2.
research
3.
ask
4.
listen

15. 1.
visit
5.
define
2.
research
3.
ask
4.
listen

16. 1.
visit
5.
define
2.
research
3.
ask
4.
listen
project program and team: what is
the problem? what is the scope?
whose expertise is needed? write
community and project story. build
website for input and transparency.

17. 1.
visit
5.
define
2.
research
3.
ask
4.
listen

18. 1.
visit
5.
define
2.
research
3.
ask
6.
play
4.
listen

19. 1.
visit
5.
define
2.
research
3.
ask
6.
play
4.
listen
with all possibilities: step
back, wordplay, memories, listing
all ideas, all-out, fantastical, bare-
bones, no assumptions…

20. 1.
visit
5.
define
2.
research
3.
ask
6.
play
4.
listen

21. 1.
visit
5.
define
7.
try
2.
research
3.
ask
6.
play
4.
listen

22. 1.
visit
5.
define
7.
try
2.
research
3.
ask
6.
play
4.
listen
out ideas: sketch, prototype, build
models, full-size mock-ups;
test, fail, try again.

23. 1.
visit
5.
define
7.
try
2.
research
3.
ask
6.
play
4.
listen

24. 1.
visit
5.
define
7.
try
2.
research
3.
ask
6.
play
4.
listen
8.
design

25. 1.
visit
5.
define
7.
try
2.
research
3.
ask
6.
play
4.
listen
8.
design
in several loops: do real
designs, show to
interviewees, workshops, and on-
line for updates, comments, and
buy-in, and re-work: play, try, and
redesign.

26. 1.
visit
5.
define
7.
try
2.
research
3.
ask
6.
play
4.
listen
8.
design

27. 1.
visit
5.
define
7.
try
9.
present
2.
research
3.
ask
6.
play
4.
listen
8.
design

28. 1.
visit
5.
define
7.
try
9.
present
2.
research
3.
ask
6.
play
4.
listen
8.
design
final design: start with story of
community, interviewees, people, and
history; and design
process, evolution, decisions, trade-
offs; and final design. involve
participants in presentation.

29. 1.
visit
5.
define
7.
try
9.
present
2.
research
3.
ask
6.
play
4.
listen
8.
design

30. 1.
visit
5.
define
7.
try
9.
present
2.
research
3.
ask
6.
play
10.
check
4.
listen
8.
design

31. 1.
visit
5.
define
7.
try
9.
present
2.
research
3.
ask
6.
play
10.
check
4.
listen
8.
design
construction
and post-
construction;
review and
tweak.

32. 1.
visit
5.
define
7.
try
9.
present
2.
research
3.
ask
6.
play
10.
check
4.
listen
8.
design