Double Diamond #8 // The Double Diamond and Design Thinking: Understanding the Differences and Similarities.

The Double Diamond is a model for Design Thinking that helps innovators to navigate a design project from concept to completion.

https://makeiterate.com/the-double-diamond-framework-for-design-thinking/

Design Thinking and the Double Diamond are both popular frameworks in the design world. They help solve problems and create innovative solutions, but they do so in slightly different ways. Let’s explore what each framework is, how they are similar, and how they differ.¹

What is Design Thinking?

Design Thinking is a human-centered approach to problem-solving and innovation. It includes five phases:

1. Empathize: Understand the user’s needs through research and observation.
2. Define: Clearly articulate the problem based on gathered insights.
3. Ideate: Generate a wide range of ideas and potential solutions.
4. Prototype: Create simple models of the potential solutions.
5. Test: Evaluate the prototypes with real users and make improvements based on feedback​.

Design Thinking emphasises empathy, creativity, and iterative testing to ensure solutions are user-centered and effective.

What is the Double Diamond?

The Double Diamond framework visualises the design process through two diamonds, each containing two phases:

1. Discover: Research to understand the problem space broadly.
2. Define: Narrow down insights to a clear problem statement.
3. Develop: Generate, prototype, and test multiple solutions.
4. Deliver: Finalize and implement the best solution.

This framework focuses on divergent (exploring many ideas) and convergent (refining ideas) thinking, ensuring a thorough understanding of the problem and a focused approach to the solution.

Similarities

• User-Centered: Both frameworks prioritize understanding the user’s needs and problems.
• Iterative Process: Each involves cycles of prototyping and testing to refine solutions.
• Phased Approach: They both divide the design process into distinct phases to manage complexity and ensure thorough exploration and refinement of ideas.

Differences

• Structure: Design Thinking is typically depicted as a linear process with five steps, while the Double Diamond is shown as two diamonds with four phases, emphasising the divergence and convergence of ideas​.
• Terminology and Emphasis: Design Thinking focuses on empathy and ideation early on, with specific phases for prototyping and testing. The Double Diamond, on the other hand, splits the process into two main areas—problem space and solution space—each with divergent and convergent phases​.
• Flexibility vs. Structure: Design Thinking is often seen as more flexible and adaptable to various contexts and problem types. The Double Diamond offers a more structured approach with distinct phases for different types of thinking (divergent and convergent).

Conclusion

Design Thinking and the Double Diamond are powerful tools for solving complex problems and fostering innovation. Design Thinking is ideal for projects that require deep empathy and ideation, while the Double Diamond provides a structured approach to explore and refine solutions thoroughly. Understanding these frameworks and knowing when to use each can significantly enhance the design process, ensuring more effective and user-centered outcomes. For my project, a further consideration and approach would be whether it might be possible to combine both concepts and whether they should be included together to create a flexible and convincing planning tool.

1. https://makeiterate.com/the-double-diamond-framework-for-design-thinking/ ↩︎