Jacqui Newham (Wilkins), Managing Director
“When I refer to good design, I mean it as a method of strategic problem-solving, not something that simply looks good.”
Management learning uses design thinking as a methodology to develop effective solutions to complex problems.
There is a myth that great ideas appear fully formed, ready to go, in a feat far beyond the non-creative types. Great design solutions don’t appear in a lightning strike; designers create them through hard work – starting with creative discovery and continuing with understanding, developing, testing, and refining.
This ‘design thinking’ methodology is a proven problem-solving process that any business can employ to achieve extraordinary results. It is a team process – better answers result when five people work on a problem for one day than one person for five days.
We call this the 4Ds process:
1. Discover
The project begins with an initial discussion informing the discovery phase. This could include market/competitive, product and service research information. The process must stay broad to capture the greatest number of ideas.
2. Defining
The second phase is the definition stage and is a filter for review, selection, and discarding of ideas. You analyse and refine the discovery stage here. The particular emphasis at this stage of the process will contribute to the overall success of the design process.
3. Develop
The third phase marks the period of development. The design team, together with the client, refine one concept that best address the defined brief. The process will reach the stage where the project is ready for production.
4. Deliver
The final phase is the delivery stage, where the team finalises the project and delivers it to the relevant stakeholders. The key activities and objectives of this stage are to deliver and complete the production and deliver to its final destination.
The 4Ds describes a unique creative technique to deliver results that exceed expectation. It is an important methodology for any business to employ in all solution finding to complex problems.
Good design is always worth the investment and Visual Identity uses the 4Ds process to ensure that the design solutions we deliver work as hard as possible for the particular needs of your business, brand or organisation.
Ready to turn complex challenges into measurable results? Let’s talk.
Book a 30-minute discovery call to get actionable recommendations, a clear roadmap, and indicative timings and budgets for your project.
Email hello@visualidentity.co.uk or call 01908 665537 to get started.
