The document outlines various ideation techniques and processes for enhancing user-centered design, emphasizing the importance of creativity and exploration over assumptions. It discusses methods like the Worst Idea Ever, the Disney Method, and Heuristic Ideation, which encourage teams to think freely, challenge norms, and obtain diverse perspectives. Additionally, it highlights the significance of effective testing and collaboration in developing innovative solutions.

2. Don’t let
assumptions
kill good ideas

3. Hello!
I’m Lauren
You can find me at
@laurenteresa
3

4. Some basics...
Let’s talk about the design
process.
4

5. HOLD UPYou do follow a design process, right?
5

6. Some basics...
Let’s talk about the design
process.
6

7. Some basics...
Let’s talk about the design
process.
7

8. Some basics...
Let’s talk about the myriad of
design processes.
8
The User-Centered
Design Process
The Human-Centered
Design Process
The Design Thinking
Process
Lean / Agile UX
The Honeycombs
The Double Diamond

9. 9
Stanford D.School

10. 10
Zurb

11. 11
British Design Council

12. 12
Damien Newman

13. LET’S
SIMPLIFY.
13

14. The Big Parts
thinking doing testing
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15. Thinking
Ideation, Brainstorming, Discovery,
Definition, Research.
1.

16. Assumption
Brainstorming is easy and fun for everyone
16

17. Worst Idea Ever
Get ridiculous. Make terrible
suggestions. Relax. Laugh.
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18. Worst Idea Ever
Get ridiculous. Make terrible
suggestions. Relax. Laugh.
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1. Gather everyone together
at a surprise time
1. Encourage them to come up
with the worst ideas ever -
no idea is off limits
1. This can be a verbal
discussion or, if you have a
more introverted team, use
pieces of paper that are
collected in a box

19. Worst Idea Ever
Get ridiculous. Make terrible
suggestions. Relax. Laugh.
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1. Encourages people to relax
and have fun
1. Creates a low-stakes, less
critical environment for
ideation
1. Bad Ideas can be windows
to excellent ideas

20. Assumption
Ideas have to be rooted in reality
20

21. The Disney Method
Live in a world of limitless
possibilities. Explore the boundaries
of questions. Wear ears if you want.
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22. The Disney Method
Live in a world of limitless
possibilities. Explore the boundaries
of questions. Wear ears if you want.
22
1. “The Dreamer” - Assume a
world without reality. Get
fantastical. Think like a kid.
1. “The Realist” - Bring the
idea down from space, but
keep it in the sky.
1. “The Critic” - Find the
holes and weak spots, not
to break it down but to
shore it up.

23. The Disney Method
Live in a world of limitless
possibilities. Explore the boundaries
of questions. Wear ears if you want.
23
1. Exist in one mindset at a
time
1. Break up the work into
three distinct spaces or
rooms
1. Try it where each person
does all the roles, or have
certain people assigned to
each role

24. Assumption
We are thinking about the right channel
24

25. Heuristic Ideation
Technique
An old technique updated for our
omnichannel world. Explore ideas
and concepts in different
applications.
25

26. Heuristic Ideation
Technique
An old technique updated for our
omnichannel world. Explore ideas
and concepts in different
applications.
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1. Simplify ideas into one or
two word concepts
1. Make a list of different
interaction channels
1. Make a grid with concepts
on the Y axis, and channels
on the X axis
1. Fill in the grid with possible
solutions

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28. Heuristic Ideation
Technique
An old technique updated for our
omnichannel world. Explore ideas
and concepts in different
applications.
28
1. Your grid can be as large or
as small as you would like
1. Complete this process on
the spot, or give versions to
people to bring home and
stew on
1. Allow voting on ideas after
they are collected

29. Assumption
Ideas are best when they are owned
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30. Pass the Baby
Sever attachment from your own
ideas, and give a different
perspective to other people’s ideas.
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31. Pass the Baby
Sever attachment from your own
ideas, and give a different
perspective to other people’s ideas.
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1. Everyone creates a single
representation of their idea
1. Collect all of the ideas, and
randomly reassign them
1. Each person creates a next
fidelity representation of
the idea from their own
perspective

32. Pass the Baby
Sever attachment from your own
ideas, and give a different
perspective to other people’s ideas.
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1. Keep it anonymous and
random
1. Allow people to choose
their own method for
presenting ideas
1. Don’t seek clarification
from the original idea
creator
1. Be open. Don’t get mad

33. Doing
Ideation, Brainstorming, Discovery,
Definition, Research.
2.

34. Assumption
We know our audience and what they want and need
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35. POV Madlib
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Explore different points of view,
context, and motivation in interaction
to reveal new paths

36. POV Madlib
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Explore different points of view,
context, and motivation in interaction
to reveal new paths
1. Follow the format
“[Someone] needs to [verb]
because of [reason /
insight]”
1. Fill in the blanks with
various combinations
1. Have the team vote on
compelling / overlooked
concepts for further
exploration

37. POV Madlib
37
Explore different points of view,
context, and motivation in interaction
to reveal new paths
1. Be detailed in needs and
motivation to apply
empathy
1. Aim for problem
statements, and not just
logic
1. Think beyond your core
audience

38. Assumption
We are asking the right question(s)
38

39. The Toddler Game
39
Turn the annoying but classic
pastime into a results-oriented
activity

40. The Toddler Game
40
Turn the annoying but classic
pastime into a results-oriented
activity
1. Begin with your
implementation plan
1. Define “a toddler” -
someone who asks “why”
as each step is presented
1. The toddler should ask at
least two follow up “whys”
to any answer
1. Diverge as needed and
move through the plan

41. The Toddler Game
41
Turn the annoying but classic
pastime into a results-oriented
activity
1. It’s important that
everyone buys in to this
game
1. Set frustrations aside, and
genuinely answer each
question - not matter how
banal
1. Question each step - it’s not
about critique, it’s about
legitimate defense of
process

42. Testing
Ideation, Brainstorming, Discovery,
Definition, Research.
3.

43. Assumption
We are testing the right thing
43

44. Script Flip
Have your users build your
prototypes for you, part 1
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45. Script Flip
Have your users build your
prototypes for you, part 1
45
1. Bring paper, pencil, blank
prototypes with you to
testing
1. When users give feedback,
or seem confused, give
them an opportunity to
draw out their ideas
1. Work with them to modify
the interaction flow

46. Script Flip
Have your users build your
prototypes for you, part 1
46
1. This process works best
when your starting
prototype is also low-
fidelity
1. Most people can draw
simple concepts on paper
1. A visual representation of a
visual concept is more clear
than verbal communication

47. Modular
Prototyping
Have your users build your
prototypes for you, part 2
47

48. Modular
Prototyping
Have your users build your
prototypes for you, part 2
48
1. Break up your prototype
into discrete, paper
components
1. Provide a blank “frame” -
browser chrome, tablet,
phone - on paper
1. Ask users to arrange the
components in a way that
makes sense to them

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50. 50

51. Modular
Prototyping
Have your users build your
prototypes for you, part 2
51
1. Prime users by asking them
about tasks they would like
to accomplish
1. Complete a round of testing
using their layout
1. Ask them to think aloud
concurrently, both while
building and while testing

52. Assumption
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53. 53
Stanford D.School

54. 54
British Design Council

55. 55
Damien Newman

56. Assumption
Building products is a linear process
56

57. Assumption
Starting over at this point is out of question
57

58. 58
Zurb

59. Thanks!
Any questions?
59
You can find me at
@laurenteresa
lliss@colum.edu
Download these slides at
goodspark.com/that2019

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