The Design Studio Method The Design Studio Method Creative Problem Solving with UX Sketching By Brian Sullivan Illustrated by J. Schuh First published 2016 by Focal Press 70 Blanchard Road, Suite 402, Burlington, MA 01803 and by Focal Press 2 Park Square, Milton Park, Abingdon, Oxon OX14 4RN Focal Press is an imprint of the Taylor & Francis Group, an informa business © 2016 Brian K. Sullivan The right of Brian K. Sullivan to be identified as author of this work has been asserted by him in accordance with sections 77 and 78 of the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988. All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reprinted or reproduced or utilised in any form or by any electronic, mechanical, or other means, now known or hereafter invented, including photocopying and recording, or in any information storage or retrieval system, without permission in writing from the publishers. Notices Knowledge and best practice in this field are constantly changing. As new research and experience broaden our understanding, changes in research methods, professional practices, or medical treatment may become necessary. Practitioners and researchers must always rely on their own experience and knowledge in evaluating and using any information, methods, compounds, or experiments described herein. In using such information or methods they should be mindful of their own safety and the safety of others, including parties for whom they have a professional responsibility. Product or corporate names may be trademarks or registered trademarks, and are used only for identification and explanation without intent to infringe. Library of Congress Cataloging in Publication Data Sullivan, Brian, 1965- The design studio method: creative problem solving with UX sketching / by Brian Sullivan; illustrated by J. Schuh. pages cm ISBN 978-1-13802256-0 (pbk.) -- ISBN 978-1-31577702-3 (ebk.) 1. Web sites-- Design--Technique. 2. User-centered system design. 3. Research teams. 4. Storyboards. I. Title. TK5105.888.S79 2015 006.7'8--dc23 2014039138 ISBN: 9781138022560 (pbk) ISBN: 9781315777023 (ebk) Typeset in Myriad Pro and Avenir by Servis Filmsetting Ltd, Stockport, Cheshire Table of Contents Acknowledgements Introduction Part 1: Processes Chapter 1: Book Overview Chapter 2: Creative Thinking in a Design Studio Chapter 3: Creative Thinking with Sketches Chapter 4: Critical Thinking in a Design Studio Chapter 5: Controlling Conversations in a Design Studio Chapter 6: Design Studio Method Overview Part 2: Procedures Chapter 7: Determining the Need Chapter 8: Defining Your Design Problem Chapter 9: Assigning Roles and Responsibilities Chapter 10: Performing User and Design Research Chapter 11: Generating Sketches Separately Chapter 12: Evaluating Sketches as a Team Chapter 13: Voting on the Best Ideas Chapter 14: Producing a Final Mockup Chapter 15: Presenting Your Mockups (or Selling Your Vision to Everyone) Part 3: Advanced Topics Chapter 16: Working Remotely with People Chapter 17: Storing Your Work to Re-visit Later Chapter 18: Next Steps Index Bound to Create You are a creator. Whatever your form of expression — photography, filmmaking, animation, games, audio, media communication, web design, or theatre — you simply want to create without limitation. Bound by nothing except your own creativity and determination. Focal Press can help. For over 75 years Focal has published books that support your creative goals. Our founder, Andor Kraszna-Krausz, established Focal in 1938 so you could have access to leading-edge expert knowledge, techniques, and tools that allow you to create without constraint. We strive to create exceptional, engaging, and practical content that helps you master your passion. Focal Press and you. Bound to create. We'd love to hear how we've helped you create. Share your experience: www.focalpress.com/boundtocreate Acknowledgements I would like to thank my wife, Susan Sullivan, for her unwavering support. As always, she was patient through my writing and revisions. At dinner, my wife and I would talk about the book with our son, Sean Sullivan. If you want some sharp perspective, share your thoughts with a smart, 15-year-old teenager. Next, I want to thank Anita Cator. When I decided to do my first design studio project, Anita immediately stepped up to the challenge. Anita and her design team (Ryan Merritt, Sam Oh, Kimberly Richards, Trey Pace, Cason Swindle) would offer many suggestions to improve the overall process. Anita and I have spent hundreds of hours planning, organizing, executing, and perfecting the methods presented in this book. Anita is a first-rate designer and thought leader. I want to thank my mom (Edith Sullivan), brother (Kevin Sullivan), oldest sister (Sharon Davis), and sibling rival/sister (Lisa Bell). My step-children (Laura Martinez and Joseph Vatalaro) have made me proud.Thanks to Laura's husband, Frank Martinez, for late-night laughs and iced tea. My big, fat Irish family includes: Steve, Kim, Paul, Cassidy, Tanner, Kaylee, Connor, Tim, Alan, Brad, Austin, Tammie, Tyler, and Alyssa. I am blessed to have support from each of you. I love you, Mom! I miss Dad every day! A special thanks goes to my co-workers—Anna Harasimiukand Kris Courtney. You have taught me many lessons about design, usability, business, project management, and life. It has been my pleasure (and honor) to have worked with you for almost 10 years. J. Schuh has been a wonderful co-conspirator on the creation of this book. I have enjoyed our conversations and his illustrations. We did encounter a happy accident with one illustration. One of my original sketches was misinterpreted by J. Schuh into a completely different concept. His drawing was too good to dismiss —a happy accident! This illustration forced me to rethink and rewrite an entire section of the book. With my words and his illustrations, you get a "Sullivan- Schuh One-Two" reading experience. He was challenging some ideas, while cheerleading other ones. For me, partnership starts with J. The reviewers of the book gave so much advice and time. Thank you—Preston McCauley, Marti Gold, Aaron Irrizary, Marc Gilpin, Anita Cator, Nathan Shedroff, J. Schuh, and Susan Sullivan. Aaron Irrizary's comments forced me to restructure six chapters. Marti Gold's comments moved entire sections around the whole book. When I first saw the comments in red ink from Susan Sullivan, I thought someone had bled on my second draft. It takes a tribe to write a book. You will always be my tribe. A very, very special thanks to the Big Design Conference team: Keith Anderson, Lara Becker, Jeremy Johnson, Candy Bernhardt, Fred Janis, Lorie Whitaker, Joshua Winegardner, Adam Polansky, J. Schuh, and A.J. Wood. We put on a great design conference each year. I am inspired by each of you! Special words of encouragement were greatly appreciated during some late nights of writing: Mitch Todd, Lissa Duty, John Nossal, Molly Holschlag, Tony Cecala, Brenda Huettner, Adam Connor, Elizabeth Rosenzweig, Russ Unger, Dana Chisnell, Joshua Hall, Stephanie Brisendine, Cassini Nassir, Eva Warren, Ken Tabor, and many others. I am such a Mitch Todd fan. Lastly, I want to thank two people at Focal Press: David Bevans and Mary LaMacchia. David, you believed in me. Mary, you guided me through the production process. Your enthusiasm for the project was contagious. I am so stoked! Enjoy.