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danramsden

The limitations of the double diamond

The Double Diamond communicates some important aspects of design. But by understanding its limitations we can use it more effectively.

10 min readJul 27, 2023

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The Double Diamond is two square shapes at a 45 degree angle. From left to right they depict design as beginning with a problem and then a process that expands outwards to discover, a narrowing where designers define to create a design brief or problem statement as an area of focus. Another expansion and contraction is depicted in the second diamond which sees designers diverge to ‘develop potential solutions and converge to deliver solutions that work.

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danramsden

Using the language of “Transitions” to create more effective information architecture

Experiences have gaps within and between them. Often, the biggest design opportunities are located in these gaps.

5 min readDec 12, 2023

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Using the language of “Transitions” to create more effective information architecture

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danramsden

How to lead product “discovery”

Summary: Defining discovery as a structured process to increase confidence can help you decide how to direct discovery projects. And…

9 min readSep 15, 2023

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How to lead product “discovery”

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danramsden

An evolution of the Double Diamond

You need to put conscious thought into the ways you describe design in your organisation and shape your language to fit your context.

9 min readAug 17, 2023

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The culture web is a Venn diagram, showing the overlapping factors which create a culture or ‘organisational paradigm’. In the centre is a circle representing this paradigm or sense making framework, around this circle are factors which affect it. They include Stories, Symbols, Power structures, Organisational structures, control systems, rituals and routines.

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danramsden

Alternatives to the Double Diamond

Automatically reaching for the Double Diamond for every conversation about design means we might miss chances to say something more useful.

8 min readAug 3, 2023

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A stepped model which shows five key stages theory, hypothesis, experiment, observation, conclusion. Each subsequent step has an arrow back to previous steps, implying that as well as forward motion through the stages, designers can and should check back to previous assumptions and decisions and they develop more understanding of the situation and the effectiveness of their response.

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danramsden

Consistently describing design

A consistent model of design helps everyone because the consistency in what you say and what people see about design aids understanding.

8 min readFeb 14, 2023

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A pyramid structure depicting the design process. At the basis there are labels for problem, ideas and experiments. Resting on these are hypotheses, solution and creation. The higher level is labeled intent and experiences which supports a section labelled Evaluation. The top of the pyramid is “value”.

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danramsden

The design process and the scaffolding within

In a post last week I shared a definition for design. I said: “Design is the translation of intent into experiments designed to generate…

8 min readJan 23, 2023

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A triangle with problem-ideas-intent at the corners.

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danramsden

Why is “information architecture” at the centre of the design process?

Design is the translation of intent into experiments — and information architecture makes the translations make sense.

5 min readJan 11, 2023

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Why is “information architecture” at the centre of the design process?

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danramsden

Better Bossing: Lessons from Adaptive Leadership

Which ideas from adaptive leadership can we adopt to help us connect and adapt to become a better boss?

4 min readJul 3, 2022

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Two characters to represent a boss and colleague relationship

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danramsden

Better Bossing: Social Capital

Three concepts to help us identify where and how we might earn, store and spend social capital to make us and our teams more effective.

7 min readJun 11, 2022

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Better Bossing: Social Capital

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danramsden

danramsden

I'm a Creative director at the BBC. I like words, design, data and magic. These are all my own views (apart from retweets. I borrowed those to look clever.)

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