How To Solve Problems Like A Designer

The design process for problem-solving, in 4 steps.

IDEO is an international design company founded in 1991. In the beginning, IDEO designed products—the first notebook-style computer, hard drives, even the next generation (of its time) PalmPilots. Most notably, in 1980, the firm was tasked by Steve Jobs to design a more affordable mouse for the Apple Lisa computer. By 2001, IDEO stepped away from designing products and pivoted to designing experiences. The process to solving problems, whether they be simple or complex, encompass these four steps: observing, ideamaking, prototyping, and testing. Tim Brown, CEO and president of the company, explains how human-centered design (and this four-step process) is a major key in how IDEO approaches complex challenges.