Strategic Design Planning

💎 60 UX Strategy Methods And Activities (Figma) (https://lnkd.in/eCDU-vhR), a large repository of UX methods, templates and activities for ideation sessions and product sprints, from storyboards and brainwriting to 6 thinking hats, journey mapping and concept testing. Neatly put together in one single place by fine folks at Merck. The team has also put together a very thorough overview of their UX Strategy Kit (https://lnkd.in/ek5dEYn4), broken down by categories for strategy, observation, ideation and warm-up, along with detailed video walkthroughs, examples and step-by-step guides. Frankly, most of these methods are unfamiliar to me. And by no means is the point to actually study and apply all of them. What works for you works for you. To strategize, I rely on How Might We but also think about metrics that should be moved once we implement some features or refine some user flows. For event storming and brainstorming, I tend to rely on Bono’s 6 thinking hats to align brainstorming, and (of course) journey mapping. For ideation, I love using storyboards to jump right into the user’s success story, but would also use card sorting with cut-out paper cards to understand user’s mental model. And for almost every project, I’d run concept testing with tree testing or Kano model, or low-fidelity/paper prototyping to understand if we are on the right track. Once you sprinkle a bit of critical thinking, early user testing and strategic planning across the design work, you gain confidence that you are moving in the right direction. And really that’s all you need. A few of my personal bookmarks with UX methods and activities: UX Tools For Better Thinking, by Adam Amran 👏🏽 https://untools.co/ Playbook For Universal Design (+ PDF/Powerpoint templates) https://lnkd.in/ernris4g UX Methods & Projects, by Vernon Fowler https://lnkd.in/eAHaiaSm 18F Method Cards https://methods.18f.gov/ Hyperisland UX Methods Resource Kit 👍 https://lnkd.in/eDTaci7T How To Design Better UX Workshops, by Slava Shestopalov https://lnkd.in/edxqCC-n How To Run UX Workshops With Users, by yours truly https://lnkd.in/ejm7_TsS Happy designing, everyone — I hope you’ll find these guides and resources helpful to get started. Just don’t feel like you have to try out all of them. It might be much more worthwhile to get early feedback from stakeholders and end users, even if your work isn’t really “good” enough. Good luck! #ux #design

What if we reimagined the Double Diamond through the lens of Jobs-to-be-Done? 🤔 Product Management is about mastering various methodologies and knowing when to apply them. No single framework fits all scenarios - the key is understanding how different approaches can complement each other to drive better outcomes. I have been learning and practicing the art and science of Innovation through the concepts of JTBD, Human Centered Design, Design Thinking, Customer Driven Innovation, Continuous Discovery, Product Discovery, Lean, etc., I've found these methodologies aren't just related, they're deeply interconnected pieces of the same puzzle. I took the classic double diamond design thinking framework and applied JTBD to it and here is how it looks in my view. While the double diamond model divides the journey into Problem → Solution spaces, the evolved version speaks the language of jobs and outcomes 💎Left Diamond: Transformed from problem-finding to "Jobs & Outcomes" - focusing on understanding what customers are trying to achieve in their contexts. 🌉The Bridge: "Opportunity Statements" replace "Problem Definition" - shifting from fixing issues to unlocking potential. Opportunity Statements are what Tony Ulwick calls "Hidden Growth Opportunities". These statements guide our innovation direction. 💎Right Diamond: Maintains the Design/Develop and Iterate/Deliver phases, but shifts validation focus to measuring how effectively we enable customers to achieve their desired outcomes. This framework moves beyond problem-solution thinking to create value through deep understanding of customer progress and success metrics in the form of jobs and outcomes. Have you integrated different innovation frameworks in your work? What have you learned? Would love to hear your experiences! #innovation #JTBD #designthinking #productdiscovery

Traditional surrogate-based design optimization (SBDO) is hitting a wall, especially with high-dimensional, complex designs. In this new paper, Dr. Namwoo Kang presents a next-gen framework using generative AI, integrating three key models: - Generative model (design synthesis) - Predictive model (performance estimation) - Optimization model (iterative or generative) Rather than optimizing directly in a high-dimensional design space (x), the workflow introduces a low-dimensional latent space (z) learned via generative models. ➡️ z → x → y z = latent variables x = CAD geometry y = performance (drag, stress, etc.) This means we’re no longer hand-coding design parameters or doing trial-and-error with simplified surrogate models. 🧠 Why this matters: - Parametric modeling is no longer a bottleneck - Complex shapes are learned directly from CAD - Dynamic and multimodal performance data (1D, 2D, 3D) can be used - Near real-time optimization is possible #AI #GenerativeDesign #CAE #DesignOptimization

Most people misunderstand colour in branding 🥲 For a long time, colour was the part of brand design I struggled with most. I've gotten better over the years but there’s one mistake I still see all the time: people treating colour as a personal preference. “If I like pink, why can’t my brand be pink?” To put it simply, it's because colour isn’t just aesthetic. It quietly influences how people feel, behave, and make decisions. That’s why colour is a strategic choice, not a taste-based one. Another common trap is oversimplified colour psychology. Red doesn’t just mean danger. Blue doesn’t just mean sadness. Green doesn’t just mean jealousy. Colour never exists in isolation - its meaning is ALWAYS shaped by context. The brand. The industry. The copy. The everything else. A great example of strategic colour use is the work by &Walsh for Plenty (pictured below). Instead of muted greens, they used bold reds and yellows borrowed from the fast food industry to make healthy eating feel exciting and desirable. The colour choice wasn’t decorative. It was doing strategic work. So, if you're struggling with colour: define what the brand needs to communicate first and build a colour palette that amplifies this message. #branddesign #branding #colour #graphicdesign #brandstrategy

Your design isn’t “off” - your color strategy is. Most people choose colors based on what looks pretty. High-converting brands? They choose based on emotion. In design, color is strategy. - It’s storytelling - It’s psychology - It’s conversion But here’s the thing: Most people see 6 colors... 🔴🟠🟡🟢🔵🟣 Designers? We see Maraschino, Salmon, Seafoam, and Sky... Because we don’t just see color We use it to influence action. Color psychology influences: - Buyer behavior - Perceived value - Brand trust - Emotional connection 🚫 Don’t just go with “whatever looks good” ✅ Go with what communicates intention Pro tip: A bold red CTA button might scream urgency... But a muted coral might whisper class - and convert better 😉 So next time you pick a color, ask yourself: → “What am I making them feel?” Because good design looks nice But great design? Makes people feel something. Need help in designing visuals that create real impact? Whether it’s your brand, your site, or your next offer... Let’s make it unforgettable DM “Design Impact” and I’ll show you how to bring your vision to life.

What if I told you your brand logo 𝐜𝐨𝐥𝐨𝐫 𝐢𝐬 𝐬𝐞𝐧𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐬𝐞𝐜𝐫𝐞𝐭 𝐬𝐢𝐠𝐧𝐚𝐥𝐬? It’s not just a color... it’s a first impression. When I started designing logos, I used to pick colors that looked good — not realizing they were silently speaking louder than my fonts and icons combined. Then I learned this golden truth: 𝐂𝐨𝐥𝐨𝐫 = 𝐄𝐦𝐨𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧. 𝐄𝐦𝐨𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 = 𝐃𝐞𝐜𝐢𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧. Every color in your 𝐥𝐨𝐠𝐨 𝐭𝐞𝐥𝐥𝐬 𝐚 𝐬𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐲 𝐛𝐞𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐞 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐛𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐧 𝐬𝐚𝐲𝐬 𝐚 𝐰𝐨𝐫𝐝. So I dug deep. Why does red feel bold? Why does blue feel safe? Why does purple feel royal, and orange feel like a high-five? 𝐈 𝐬𝐭𝐨𝐩𝐩𝐞𝐝 𝐮𝐬𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐜𝐨𝐥𝐨𝐫𝐬 𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐝𝐨𝐦𝐥𝐲... And started using them strategically. People 𝐝𝐨𝐧’𝐭 𝐣𝐮𝐬𝐭 𝐬𝐞𝐞 𝐜𝐨𝐥𝐨𝐫 — they feel it. Color psychology isn’t a trend… it’s a 𝐬𝐞𝐜𝐫𝐞𝐭 𝐥𝐚𝐧𝐠𝐮𝐚𝐠𝐞 𝐛𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐝𝐬 𝐮𝐬𝐞 𝐭𝐨 𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐧𝐞𝐜𝐭 without a single word. And once I cracked it — my logos didn’t just look better… They communicated better. Before you pick 𝐚𝐧𝐨𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫 𝐛𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐜𝐨𝐥𝐨𝐫... 𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐝 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐬. ◦ 𝐑𝐞𝐝 – Passion, urgency, and power all in one punch. ◦ 𝐁𝐥𝐮𝐞 – Trust, calm, and confidence — a classic corporate hero. ◦ 𝐘𝐞𝐥𝐥𝐨𝐰 – Optimism, energy, and that sunny side-up vibe. ◦ 𝐆𝐫𝐞𝐞𝐧 – Balance, growth, and a nod to nature and health. ◦ 𝐁𝐥𝐚𝐜𝐤 – Sleek, strong, and forever elegant ◦ 𝐏𝐮𝐫𝐩𝐥𝐞 – Royalty, wisdom, and a dash of creativity. ◦ 𝐎𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐠𝐞 – Friendly, energetic, and ready to play bold. Swipe through this carousel — it's your cheat sheet to making colors work for you, not against you. 📌Whether you're a 𝐝𝐞𝐬𝐢𝐠𝐧𝐞𝐫, 𝐟𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐫, 𝐨𝐫 𝐛𝐮𝐢𝐥𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐛𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐝 — Know what your colors are saying before your audience does. — 𝐅𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐝 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐡𝐞𝐥𝐩𝐟𝐮𝐥? Save this for your next brand project. 🖤And don’t forget to follow Adeela Azam for more design psychology and branding magic. #designer #logodesign #linkedin #founder #letsconnect #colors #graphicsdesigner

Color plays a crucial role in brand logos because it directly influences how consumers perceive, remember, and emotionally connect with a brand. The psychology of color affects purchasing decisions and brand recognition in several key ways. Emotional and Psychological Impact: Different colors evoke specific emotions and associations. Red creates urgency and excitement (Coca-Cola, Target), while blue conveys trust and reliability (IBM, Facebook). Green suggests nature and health (Starbucks, Whole Foods), and purple implies luxury and creativity (Cadbury, Yahoo). These emotional responses happen subconsciously and influence consumer behavior before rational thought kicks in. Brand Recognition and Memory: Color increases brand recognition by up to 80%. People process visual information much faster than text, so a distinctive color scheme helps logos stand out in crowded marketplaces. Think of McDonald's golden arches or Tiffany's distinctive blue - these colors become synonymous with the brands themselves. The human brain can identify colors in milliseconds, making them powerful tools for instant brand identification. Cultural and Market Considerations: Colors carry different meanings across cultures, making color selection critical for global brands. While white represents purity in Western cultures, it symbolizes mourning in some Asian cultures. Red signifies good fortune in China but can indicate danger in other contexts. Successful international brands often adapt their color strategies for different markets or choose colors with more universal appeal. Competitive Differentiation: Strategic color choices help brands distinguish themselves from competitors within the same industry. While most banks use blue to convey trust and stability, ING chose orange to stand out and appear more approachable and innovative. This differentiation helps consumers quickly identify and remember specific brands among similar offerings. Consistency Across Touchpoints: Brand colors must work consistently across all platforms and materials, from digital screens to printed materials to physical products. This consistency reinforces brand identity and builds stronger recognition over time. Companies invest heavily in defining exact color specifications and guidelines to maintain this consistency. The strategic use of color in logos ultimately creates a visual shorthand that communicates brand values, triggers emotional responses, and builds lasting connections with consumers.

Colour isn’t just about aesthetics; it’s a language that speaks to everyone. It shapes emotions, influences decisions and leaves lasting impressions. For signage and wayfinding, colour is more than decoration. It’s a functional tool that guides, connects, and communicates - but how do you use it effectively? Here are my 6 essential considerations for using colour when designing: ① Contrast: Ensure readability ② Identity: Reflect the purpose ③ Culture: Respect diversity ④ Wayfinding: Enhance navigation ⑤ Lighting: Maintain visibility ⑥ Accessibility: Design for everyone Let’s break these down: ① Contrast Contrast ensures legibility. Low contrast, like yellow on white, is hard to read. Opt for high-contrast pairings such as black on white or yellow on navy to make your message stand out, even from a distance. ② Identity Colour tells a story. A spa may embrace calming blues and greens, while a tech hub thrives on bold reds or electrifying blues. Match your palette to the brand’s personality to create a cohesive experience. ③ Culture Colours carry different meanings across cultures. Red signifies luck in China but often signals danger in the West. Research your audience to ensure your message resonates globally. ④ Wayfinding Assign colours to specific areas or functions. For example, green for exits and blue for toilets. Colour coding simplifies navigation, making spaces intuitive for users. ⑤ Lighting Lighting changes everything. A vibrant colour in natural daylight can dull under artificial light. Test colours in their intended environment to ensure they remain effective. ⑥ Accessibility Over 300 million people globally experience colour blindness. Use contrast checkers and add text labels to ensure your designs are inclusive and effective. Choosing the wrong colours can lead to confusion and disengagement. But when done right, colour creates clarity, builds connection, and even inspires. Colour is the bridge between design and experience. Use it intentionally, and your projects will leave a lasting impact. --- 👋 Want more insights? Follow Adam Davies ♻️ Think this will help someone? Repost it 👀 Need design inspiration? Visit Sign Snippets © All images are belong to their original owner

The most sophisticated patent office exists in every forest, ocean, and desert around us. Nature has tested and perfected designs through five mass extinctions. We call ourselves innovators, but we are often just catching up. In 30+ years of engineering, I have learned that deconstructing biological mechanisms offers solutions to problems we have struggled with for decades. Consider how gecko setae microstructures now inform medical adhesives that stick without chemicals; how termite mound principles cut building energy usage by 40%; and how mussel proteins enable bonding underwater without toxic treatments. These blueprints remind us that inspiration alone does not complete the job; we need countless iterations to refine solutions. My Zen garden reminds me daily that each plant, stone, and waterway represents countless generations of optimization. What appears simple often masks extraordinary complexity. The most valuable engineering approach is not always creating from scratch, but methodically analyzing what already works perfectly in natural systems. This practice of biomimicry offers a proven pathway to superior design.

Traditional healthcare metrics serve an important purpose. They help us understand satisfaction, track improvements, and measure specific changes. But they're inherently limited - designed to assess what already exists rather than imagine what could be. Current measurement systems excel at telling us how to make incremental improvements: shorter wait times, clearer communication, better room amenities. They help us do things better. But transformation requires something more - it requires us to imagine how we might do better things entirely. This is where design thinking becomes crucial in healthcare innovation. When we observe deeply, we see patterns that surveys can't capture. We notice the informal support networks that develop in waiting rooms, the unspoken communication between experienced care teams, the moments of connection that happen between scheduled appointments. These observations reveal opportunities that traditional metrics might miss entirely. Design allows us to explore possibilities beyond current constraints. Instead of asking "How can we improve this process?" we can ask "What if this process wasn't needed at all?" Rather than measuring satisfaction with current solutions, we can imagine entirely new approaches to meeting human needs. This approach enables us to learn differently too. Through prototyping and experimentation, we can test ideas before they're fully formed. We can learn from what doesn't work as much as what does. Each failure becomes an opportunity for insight rather than a metric to avoid. True transformation requires us to look beyond what we can measure today toward what might be possible tomorrow. It demands that we balance the concrete feedback of current metrics with the rich insights that come from deep observation, creative exploration, and iterative learning. The future of healthcare won't emerge from satisfaction surveys alone - it will come from deeply understanding human needs and imagining new ways to meet them. This doesn't mean abandoning our current metrics. Rather, it means complementing them with design approaches that help us see and create beyond what we can measure. The most powerful innovations often emerge from this combination - using traditional metrics to understand where we are, while employing design thinking to imagine where we might go. This is how we move beyond incremental improvement to true transformation.