Brainstorming and consolidation

We kicked off the project by running a brainstorming session where each designer was asked to describe both their current design process at Arcadia and their ideal design process. This exercise provided valuable insights into how our team members approached their work and what they envisioned as an optimal process.

Following the session, Caroline and I reviewed all the individual processes and worked to consolidate them into one comprehensive map. This map represented the ideal design process for our team at Arcadia, reflecting a blend of best practices and innovative ideas that our designers shared.

Comparing with User-Centered Design

With the ideal process mapped out, we then compared it to the phases and elements of a traditional User-Centered Design (UCD) process. This comparison allowed us to ensure that our process not only aligned with industry standards but also addressed the specific needs and goals of our team. By integrating UCD principles, we aimed to create a design process that was both user-focused and adaptable to our unique challenges at Arcadia.

Design process & techniques Database

The result of our efforts was a well-defined design process that we documented in an evergreen database on Notion. This database became a central resource for our team, outlining each phase of our design process and detailing the techniques that could be used at each stage.

The Design Techniques database is particularly valuable, serving as a living document that evolves with input from our designers. Each Notion card within the database includes key information about a specific technique, along with examples from our team or other design teams. This resource not only standardizes our approach but also fosters continuous learning and improvement within our team.

A collaborative and evolving process

This project was a true collaboration, and the process we developed is designed to grow and adapt with us. By engaging our entire design team in the creation of this framework, we ensured that it reflected the diverse perspectives and expertise of our designers. As our team continues to evolve, so too will our process, guided by the principles of user-centered design and the collective input of our talented team.

In summary, this initiative has empowered our Product Design team to make decisions in a more structured and consistent way, enabling us to scale our efforts without compromising on quality. The process and techniques database we created will continue to serve as a foundation for our work, supporting our mission to deliver exceptional design at Arcadia.