Mini design cycle challenge
I’ve designed and facilitated a short practical workshop that introduces user-centred design to novices.
It gives them a practical experience and overview of a full design cycle in just one fast-paced and enjoyable session.
I’ve run it over 25 times, both online and in real life and I always get great feedback, like:
I’ve never come across anything else that makes the whole thing come alive so well, and get the ‘Aha!’ moments so quickly”
— Jess Gildener, Third Sector Lab
You too can run this workshop with your team - because I’m making my worksheets and facilitation notes available under a Creative Commons licence - see below.
Staff enjoying the mini design cycle activity at Innovation Week, Monmouthshire Housing Association
Who is it for?
The session is for people new to user-centred design and who are curious to gain a basic and practical understanding of what it is and how it can help them in their work.
All of my clients are from public and third-sector organisations - but I think it would work equally well in the private sector.
What do participants leave with?
Participants leave with a greater understanding of why and how user research is useful to help uncover hidden motivations, needs and aspirations or reveal unconscious assumptions about others. They also learn how this is different from engagement via consultation.
They learn about the power of ‘iteration’ and sharing work early to gather feedback to learn from the people they’re designing for in order to make it better.
Service Design in Practice cohort participating in the mini design cycle activity at the intro day
What do participants do?
Using the subject “design a better lunch experience”, working in pairs, participants have a go at:
Interviewing for user research - digging deep to understand underlying motivations, emotions and stories.
Identifying user needs and insights and then articulating user stories.
Rapid idea generation.
Improving design ideas based on feedback.
Sharing and evaluating rough prototypes.
After the practical activity, I usually leave some time for a discussion and share how the practice relates to the theoretical background and case studies. I usually vary this, depending on the audience and their needs.
It makes for a great staff away day activity - and as a side effect, some people take on board their newly designed lunch experience. It’s also a great way to get to know your colleagues!
This activity is part of the Service Design in Practice learning and development 6-month programme - which leads to Service Design Network Service Design Practitioner Accreditation.
