Everything you need to kickstart design research.
Research is the most crucial step in innovation, as it provides an understanding about users’ behaviour and actionable insights anchored in their behaviour, needs and dreams for the future.
​
Unlike conventional research methodologies, design research amalgamate and curate methods and techniques from the toolboxes of ethnography, anthropology etc. to discover not just insights, but a whole new perspective and fresh ideas which you would never dare to think!

open-source archive of Innovation Methods
Everything you need to kickstart design research.
Research is the most crucial step in innovation, as it provides an understanding about users’ behaviour and actionable insights anchored in their behaviour, needs and dreams for the future.
​
Unlike conventional research methodologies, design research amalgamate and curate methods and techniques from the toolboxes of ethnography, anthropology etc. to discover not just insights, but a whole new perspective and fresh ideas which you would never dare to think!

open-source archive of Innovation Methods
Everything you need to kickstart design research.
Research is the most crucial step in innovation, as it provides an understanding about users’ behaviour and actionable insights anchored in their behaviour, needs and dreams for the future.
​
Unlike conventional research methodologies, design research amalgamate and curate methods and techniques from the toolboxes of ethnography, anthropology etc. to discover not just insights, but a whole new perspective and fresh ideas which you would never dare to think!

open-source archive of Innovation Methods

EMPATHY



In Home Immersions
Empathy
HI.

To deep dive into the behaviour, motivations & pain points of the users; Through a structured moderation guide in TEDW format, designed for open conversation.
In Home Immersions
Empathy


Longitudinal Walkthroughs
Empathy
LW.

To observe user behaviour and specific activities, over a period of time as the events unfold in real time.
Longitudinal Walkthroughs
Empathy


Group Contextual Inquiry
Empathy
GI.

To Observe users’ interaction and behaviour in a group when trying to achieve a collaborative task.
Group Contexual Inquiry
Empathy


Card
Sorting
Empathy
CS.

To explore relationships among various parameters and to understand the hierarchies, preferences & selections by user.
Card Sorting
Empathy

DEFINE



User
Personas
Define
UP.

To identify dominant user personality types illustrating varied lifestyles, usage patterns, social influencers, motivators et al. of each personality.
User Personas
Define


User Journey Map
Define
UJ.

To illustrate the real, ideal journey of the user through a service (eg: buying, onboarding journey) capturing all use cases and important points of interaction.
User Journey Map
​
Define


Affinity Mapping
Define
AM.

To make sense of the mixed & complex data collected during research by clustering it based on similar patterns or themes.
Affinity Mapping
Define


How Might We Statements
Define
HMW.

A statement To define clear problem statement (brief) for focussed ideation. A good HMW opens up the exploration space, ensuring that ideation is not directionless.
How Might We Statements
Define

IDEATE



Crazy
Eight
Ideate
C8.

To generate lots of divergent ideas quickly without critical examination. Best for loosening of creative muscles in early stages of development.
Crazy Eight
Ideate


Solution Sketch
Ideate
SK.

To create a fully detailed out solution by combining most relevant ideas and illustrating it using frames, pictures, words etc. to show how it works.
Solution Sketch
Ideate

PROTOTYPE



Story Boarding
Prototype
SB.

To Communicate ideas through visual stories that showcase how they fit into the users’ lives. Used to illustrate the solution from start to finish, highlighting key moments.
Story Boarding
Prototype


Wireframes
Prototype
WF.

To establish the basic structure, content, hierarchy and schematic arrangement of a page, in order to best achieve it's functionality.
Wireframes
Prototype

VALIDATE



Usability Testing
Validate
UT.

To evaluate and identify issues in product/service from usability stand point with the real users as they try to complete typical tasks.
Usability Testing
Validate


Role
Playing
Validate
RP.

To identify usability, functional, emotional issues through a role play. Used specially in cases where real users or products are un-available.
Role Playing
Validate
Design Thinking Guidebook