Theory and methods for synthesizing design thinking research data to identify innovations and new product features.
User-centered design research activities produce an enormous quantity of raw data, which must be systematically and rigorously analyzed in order to extract meaning and insight.
What you’ll learn
- Learn about how to manage the complexity of gathered data.
- Build both confidence and ability with the various synthesis methods.
- Learn to make sense of data and translate research into insights.
- Learn to create a concept map.
- Learn to create a process flow diagram.
- Learn to perform insight combination.
- Learn to reframe.
Course Content
- Theory of Design Synthesis –> 7 lectures • 30min.
- Methods of Design Synthesis –> 4 lectures • 42min.
- In Summary –> 1 lecture • 3min.
Requirements
User-centered design research activities produce an enormous quantity of raw data, which must be systematically and rigorously analyzed in order to extract meaning and insight.
Unfortunately, these methods of analysis are poorly documented and rarely taught, and because of the pragmatic time constraints associated with working with clients, there is often no time dedicated in a statement of work to a practice of formal synthesis. As a result, raw design research data is inappropriately positioned as insight, and the value of user-centered research activities is marginalized – in fact, stakeholders may lose faith in the entire research practice, as they don’t see direct return on the investment of research activities.
Design synthesis methods can be taught, and when selectively applied, visual, diagrammatic synthesis techniques can be completed relatively quickly. During Synthesis, Designers visually explore large quantities of data in an effort to find and understand hidden relationships. These visualizations can then be used to communicate to other members of a design team, or can be used as platforms for the creation of generative sketching or model making. The action of diagramming is a way to actively produce knowledge and meaning.