How We Do It
Since Imagine More's founding in 2012, we've worked on all kinds of projects: from branding and website UX to curriculum design and fundraising. Each project, though, begins the same way. We use a combination of ethnography (an anthropological research method) and design thinking (a "human-centered" approach to problem-solving) to define the challenge.
First, we conduct in-depth research to understand the dimensions of the challenge we're facing. We ask a number of key questions, including (but not limited to): What is the organization trying to achieve? How do different people (and groups of people) involved view the challenge? What is the context - geographical, social, economic, cultural? What are the goals and ideal outcomes? We use this information-gathering to paint as complete a picture as we can. This helps us creatively generate insights and possibilities, then work collaboratively with our clients to find and implement the most effective solution(s). |
What is Design Thinking, and How Do We Use It?
In broadest terms, design thinking is a creative approach to solving problems. It is a "human-centered" method, based on fully understanding the needs of all the people affected by a problem and its solution.
Traditional problem-solving looks very narrowly at issues, often using cookie-cutter-type solves. On the other hand, a design thinking approach looks at everything surrounding the problem. Looking at the big picture lets us see the situation in a new way, revealing insights we never would have reached otherwise. |