Brainstorming design thinking is a process used to accumulate a lot of ideas once you know your users’ needs. Teams engage in brainstorming using design thinking to go from a clear problem to creative, testable solutions. The following tutorial addresses this, its process, techniques, rules, and pitfalls.
What Is Brainstorming Design Thinking?
Brainstorming design thinking is the brainstorming activity in the “Ideate” stage of the design thinking process. Teams are building on a known user problem without judging and attempting to create lots of teams. The aim is brainstorming solutions and then narrowing down the list to 1-2 most feasible solutions to prototype and test.
Brainstorming design thinking is not ‘regular’ brainstorming. It starts with research and not speculation. All ideas relate to an actual user need.
Where Brainstorming Fits in the Design Thinking Process
Typically there are 5 stages in design thinking. Brainstorming design thinking is somewhere in between.
| Stage | Purpose | Role of Brainstorming |
| Empathize | Understand users | Provides insights to brainstorm from |
| Define | State the problem. | Creates the “How might we” question |
| Ideate | Generate ideas. | Main home of brainstorming |
| Prototype | Build quick models. | Turns chosen ideas into samples |
| Test | Get user feedback | Reveals which ideas work |
Brainstorming design thinking is weakened when skipping aspects of the earlier stages. Ideas remain generic without user insight.
Why Brainstorming Design Thinking Works
Brainstorming through DT yields many benefits:
- They bring forth more possibilities than one man can dream of.
- These are from a different point of view, from design, business, and technical.
- They help to avoid jumping to conclusions.
- They foster a sense of team ownership of the solution.
Rules for Effective Brainstorming Design Thinking
These are common rules that are adhered to in design workshops and help keep the design session productive.
Defer Judgment
Avoid evaluating ideas in the session. Evaluation comes later.
Encourage Wild Ideas
Practical ideas frequently arise from unusual ideas. Allow them.
Develop ideas created by others.
Expand each suggestion with the use of “Yes, and.”
Keep your answer to the question!
Maintain a connection between all ideas and the problem statement.
Go for quantity.
The more ideas you have, the more material to work with.
Step-by-Step Brainstorming Design Thinking Process
1. Define the problem clearly.
Ask a “How might we” question. For instance: “How could we make it easier for new users to complete the setup in less than 5 minutes? A good question is a concise question that is open-ended enough to leave room for diversity of ideas.
2. Select the Appropriate Team.
Combine duties and experience. Engage individuals with the experience of the users. The typical size is 5 to 8 people.
3. Set Up the Space
Make sticky notes, markers, and a visible wall or computer board. Communicate the problem and user research right from the beginning.
4. Set a Time Limit
Short time-limited rounds maintain high energy levels. Usually a team takes 10 to 20 minutes per round.
5. Generate Ideas
Everyone writes or draws ideas, and everyone shares their ideas. Record them all as is.
6. Group and Select
Organize related ideas into topics. Then vote on the strongest ones, considering user value, feasibility, business fit, etc.
Popular Brainstorming Design Thinking Techniques
Various methods are appropriate for various teams. Try a few.
| Technique | How It Works | Best For |
| Classic brainstorming | Share ideas verbally within a group | Quick, open sessions |
| Brainwriting | Individuals silently write out ideas, then pass on ideas | Quieter team members |
| Mind mapping | Branch ideas from a central topic | Exploring themes |
| SCAMPER | Prompts such as substitute, combine, adapt | Improving existing products |
| Worst possible idea | Suggest terrible ideas, then flip them. | Breaking creative blocks |
| Crazy 8s | Sketch eight ideas in eight minutes. | Fast visual ideas |
| Role storming | Think as another person or persona. | Building empathy |
Brainwriting can be helpful when there is a small number of loud voices in the crowd. Crazy 8s is useful when you require visual concepts quickly.
A Simple Example
Visualize a group working together to enhance an app for food delivery. The “How might we?” question is, “How might we make reorder easier for busy parents?”
In the brainstorming design thinking, team members record ideas like one-tap reorder, weekly meal plans, voice ordering, and saved family favorites. They prototype one-tap reorder and saved favorites after grouping and voting. Then, user tests determine which of them requires the least effort.
Common Mistakes in Brainstorming Design Thinking
- Judging too early. It prevents people from sharing.
- Vague problems. General questions generate disorganized thoughts.
- Ignoring research. Ideas should be based on the needs of real users.
- One dominant voice. To balance input, use brainwriting.
- No follow-up. Without a prototype, ideas don’t get far.
Tips to Improve Your Sessions
- Present user research prior to the start.
- Do a quick, fun exercise to warm-up.
- Consider using visuals—use not just text.
- Have a series of short games, not a long game.
- Write down all ideas in the notebook, including the ones that you don’t like.
- Test, prototype, and test top ideas quickly and with low costs.
Tools for Remote Teams
Brainstorming design thinking is possible with remote collaboration on digital whiteboards and shared documents. In-room workshops are practice made with virtual sticky notes, voting, and timers. Have a facilitator to help keep the group on track.
Final Thoughts
Brainstorming design thinking is most effective with discipline. Pay attention to actual users, ask a relevant question, and give opportunities for all voices to be heard. Then trim down the ideas and try them out.
Brainstorming design thinking is not just a brainstorming list of ideas. It’s about brainstorming together as a team, and it’s about the confidence to get into prototyping with ideas that satisfy your users. During the next session, try 1 technique and see what is happening and tweak as needed.
FAQs
1. What is brainstorming design thinking?
It’s the process of idea generation in the Ideate phase of design thinking. Teams develop numerous solutions to a user-defined problem before deciding on what to prototype.
2. How is brainstorming design thinking different from regular brainstorming?
It is based on user research and a well-understood problem statement. Brainstorming can begin on a regular basis without either one.
3. How long should a session last?
Many of the sessions are timed and broken up into short segments of 30-60 minutes.
4. How many people should join?
The ideal number of people is five to eight, preferably from different roles.
5. What is a “How might we” question?
A brief open question that presents a problem as an opportunity to design. Facilitates the session without restricting thinking.
6. Can brainstorming design thinking be done alone?
Yes. Mind maps or the SCAMPER technique can be used by individuals or groups.
7. What happens after brainstorming?
The team brainstorms, narrows down the ideas, makes prototypes, and tests with users.
8. Which technique is best for beginners?
Brainstorming and brainwriting are relatively easy to get going with. Include Crazy 8s or SCAMPER when the team becomes more confident.
