Visual Design Thinking: Understanding the Role of Knowledge Visualization in the Design Thinking Process

Abstract

This paper sheds light on the role of visualization methods within the design thinking process. It provides a conceptual framework showing illustrative examples of visualization for each phase indicating its functions and benefits. Based on a thorough understanding of the functions and benefits of knowledge visualization in general, this paper seeks to provide a first overview of the use of visualization in design thinking informing and supporting practitioners and researcher for more conscious selections of visualization methods in their design thinking efforts.

Storytelling Canvas: A Visual Framework for Developing and Delivering Resonating Stories

“…Knowing which strategies can be used to develop and deliver a resonating story can also help overcoming the constrains of PowerPoint [41], might help to create visualizations for more attention and retention of the content by the audience [42] and help design thinking students and professionals to convey their insights of being empathetic with the user supporting insight and foster action for ideation and the creation of prototypes [43].…”

A Framework to Maximise the Communicative Power of Knowledge Visualisations

“…Ward [119] proposes a framework for knowledge mobilisers based on the same four perspectives. Kernbach and Nabergoj [62] propose a set of lenses which, although differently titled, also encapsulate a notion of considering who the audience will be, what knowledge needs to be communicated in visual format, thinking about how to visualise the knowledge, and translating the ideas into a visualisation. Eilouti [34] proposes a framework for producing visualisations with three stages: deriving the knowledge (what), formulating the concept (considering metaphors, symbols and contexts, amongst others) and translating this to a visualisation (how).…”

“…In deciding on the HOW, it is important to maximise communicative power, so we carefully consider qualities that will achieve this. (3) Refine -Kernbach and Nabergoj [62] argue for the need to refine a visualisation. Bertshi [14] suggests that the effectiveness of a knowledge visualization can be tested by asking someone seriously to examine the visualisation and to consider whether they understand the underlying circumstances and contexts in which they are produced and received (p. 343).…”

Visual Thinking in Life Design: A Conceptual Framework of Visual Tools and Templates

“…It became apparent that visual templates were especially present in diverging phases such as "Empathize" and "Ideate" while converging phases such as "Define" and "Prototype" as well as "Test" did not have many visual templates in place. This is also true for design thinking I general [25]. It could therefore be interesting to build new visual templates for these phases supporting life designers to articulate a problem statement in the phase "Define" or helping life designers to build prototypes as well as learning from testing their prototypes through visual templates.…”