Hey everyone! I want to share how the design thinking process has greatly influenced how I create user-friendly experiences, especially during my recent project designing the mobile app called ‘Douala Eats.’
This app helps people order food from home.
When my team and I started working on this project, I was super excited.
I researched popular food delivery apps and created what I thought was a really impressive interface, complete with cool colors and smooth features.
However, after I showed our design to my manager, I was surprised by her questions:
- “Who is this app for?”
- “Did you do any user research?”
- “Did you follow the design thinking process?”
At that moment, I realized we had been designing for ourselves, not for the actual users of Douala.
After the meeting, my manager introduced us to the design thinking process, which is a structured way to help teams understand users better, rethink problems, and create creative solutions. This was a real game changer for me.
The design thinking process has helped me see things differently — not just in design, but in life too.
First off, it taught me the importance of empathy.
I learned to look beyond my own perspective when creating solutions.
Instead of just thinking about what I liked, I started considering what would really resonate with users.
This shift has made me more understanding and patient in my everyday interactions.
Imagine if everyone took a moment to walk in someone else’s shoes — The world would be a better place.
Next, I discovered how crucial it is to fall in love with the problem instead of rushing to solutions.
This is a tough pill to swallow, but it’s true. While no one wants to date a problem child in real life, in design, it’s all about recognizing the real issues that need to be addressed and fall in love with them.
The brainstorming phase has taught me alot too! I used to hesitate to share ideas for fear of them sounding silly, yeah imposter syndrome.
But in the spirit of ideation, I’ve learned that even the wackiest suggestions can spark incredible creativity.
Ideation is not all about creating the best solutions but coming up with as many solutions as possible, learning about this was a big relief, like I can finally brainstorm without having to think of the physical constraints.
And then there’s user testing. I used to have big issues with handling negative feedback not just in design but in real life too, but through design thinking, I have learned that bad feedback only gives room for more innovation and learning how users interact with designs and hearing their honest thoughts is truly invaluable.
Overall, the design thinking process has not only improved my technical skills but also transformed how I engage with others. I’ve developed empathy, curiosity, communication skills, and adaptability.
It reminds me that effective design is about understanding and connecting with people, making it rewarding in and out of the office.
If you’re ever faced with a design challenge, I encourage you to think about how the design thinking process can help you.
Embrace the cycle of iteration, focus on your users, and remember that great design comes from understanding the people you’re creating for.
Thanks for reading!