TABLE 2.

Characteristics of Design Thinking to Inform Design Objectives

Design thinking characteristic	Explanation
UNDERSTAND (empathy)	Understanding is the first phase of the design thinking process, in which investigators will be immersed in learning. They conduct interviews, focus groups and qualitative studies in several settings. The goal is to develop background knowledge through these experiences. Developing understanding is a springboard for beginning to address design challenges.
OBSERVE (again and again and again and again…)	Investigators need to become keen people watchers in the observation phase of the design process. They watch how people behave and interact and observe physical spaces and places in several settings. They talk to people about what they are doing, ask questions, and reflect on what they see. The understanding and observation phase creates empathy.
DEFINE (develop design objectives based on identified needs)	In this phase of design thinking, the focus is on becoming aware of peoples’ needs and developing insights. The phrase “How might we….” is often used to define a point of view, which is a statement of the: user + need + insight. This statement ends with a suggestion about how to make changes that will have an impact on peoples’ experiences.
IDEATE (brainstorm)	Ideating is a critical component of design thinking. Investigators brainstorm a myriad of ideas and suspend judgment. Ideating is all about creativity and innovation. In the ideation phase, quantity is encouraged. A hundred ideas may be generated in a single session. Investigators become savvy risk takers, wishful thinkers, and dreamers of what might be possible.
PROTOTYPE (make)	Prototyping is a rough and rapid portion of the design process. A prototype can be a sketch, model, or a cardboard box. It is a way to convey an idea quickly. Lesson: it’s better to fail early and often through prototypes. This is a key element of CAPE’s philosophy.
TEST (on real users)	Testing is part of an iterative process that provides designers with feedback. The purpose of testing is to learn what works and what doesn’t, and then iterate. This means going back to the prototype and modifying it based on feedback. Testing ensures that investigators learn what works and what doesn’t work for users. This is also a key element of CAPE’s philosophy and is integrated into each project’s goals.