Although computers and other digital tools are well accepted in many
design companies these days, for some activities, traditional tools are still
preferred. Especially when new ideas should be developed and the design
problem is not yet well defined, people tend to rely on pen, paper and
whiteboards. Nevertheless, for these working modes digital tools can be
beneficial as well. Ideas and results can be saved for future use, parallel
lines of thought can be pursued, and in particular creative work for
geographically distributed design teams can be enabled.
In this paper, we present the findings from a qualitative study, in which
design thinking teams used a digital environment for their creative work.
The given challenge was intentionally not well-defined and involved various
design thinking phases, such as user research, synthesis, ideation, and
prototyping. As all participants were used to traditional tools, we focused
on the comparison between an analog setup and digital whiteboards and
sticky notes. Results show that all participants could well accomplish their
usual way of working with the digital environment and came to satisfying
results. However, the acceptance and readiness to use a digital system
varied among participants. We will explain which factors are most
important for the adoption of a digital system, for which methods and
activities it works best, and how well customary hardware is suitable for the
teams’ working modes.
DRS 2012 Bangkok
design companies these days, for some activities, traditional tools are still
preferred. Especially when new ideas should be developed and the design
problem is not yet well defined, people tend to rely on pen, paper and
whiteboards. Nevertheless, for these working modes digital tools can be
beneficial as well. Ideas and results can be saved for future use, parallel
lines of thought can be pursued, and in particular creative work for
geographically distributed design teams can be enabled.
In this paper, we present the findings from a qualitative study, in which
design thinking teams used a digital environment for their creative work.
The given challenge was intentionally not well-defined and involved various
design thinking phases, such as user research, synthesis, ideation, and
prototyping. As all participants were used to traditional tools, we focused
on the comparison between an analog setup and digital whiteboards and
sticky notes. Results show that all participants could well accomplish their
usual way of working with the digital environment and came to satisfying
results. However, the acceptance and readiness to use a digital system
varied among participants. We will explain which factors are most
important for the adoption of a digital system, for which methods and
activities it works best, and how well customary hardware is suitable for the
teams’ working modes.
DRS 2012 Bangkok
