Design Methodologies

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Published Jun 13, 2022Updated Jan 5, 2024
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Design methodologies are systems or models that offer structure or consistency to focus on problems and drive success within a design process.

Methodologies help align all stakeholders within a project, an organization, or an industry. Some popular design methodologies include the product development life cycle (PDLC), double diamond diagram, design thinking, and user-centered design (UCD). These processes often emphasize an iterative, cyclical approach to design, incorporating user research to drive decisions from defining a problem to building a solution.

Over the years, organizations like Ideo, Google, and the Nielsen Norman Group, as well as people like Peter Morville, have defined some of the most popular methodologies for executing and assessing UI and UX design. New methodologies and principles are defined constantly within design — for example, design justice and Microsoft’s inclusive design emphasize diversity, equity, and inclusion.

Some designers or firms may specialize in specific methodologies, while others use a mixture of methods to suit a given situation or problem.

Design Methodologies

Accessibility
Accessibility refers to designing devices, products, and environments such that individuals with disabilities or sensory impairments can successfully use them.
Design Pattern
Design patterns are standardized, widely adopted solutions to common design problems.
Design Sprint
Design Sprint is a user-focused methodology used to solve design challenges quickly.
Design Thinking
Design thinking is a design methodology that puts people at the center of every process and encourages designers to set aside assumptions.
Double Diamond Diagram
The double diamond diagram is a structured design methodology that differentiates between divergent and convergent modes of thinking and when they occur during strategy and execution in the design process.
Five Elements of UX Design
The five elements of UX design, from abstract to concrete, are strategy, scope, structure, skeleton, and surface. This model was created and defined by designer Jesse James Garrett.
Inclusive Design
Inclusive design is a discipline of design that emphasizes designing products and services that work for people of all demographics, perspectives, and abilities.
Product Development Life Cycle
The Product Development Life Cycle (PDLC) is a cross-functional, iterative process with stages that include brainstorm, define, design, test, and launch.
User-Centered Design (UCD)
User-centered design (UCD) is a design methodology consisting of an iterative process that puts users at the center of product development and involves them in the design from the beginning.
UX Honeycomb
The UX Honeycomb diagram defines &quo;good&quo; UX design as useful, usable, desirable, findable, accessible, credible, and valuable.

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