Design projects do not suffer from inadequate talent; they fail when the wrong problems are solved. An app might be beautiful and contain millions of features, but will definitely leave the user feeling clunky when she cannot perform even a relatively simple task. The Double Diamond Model was born to fill that precise gap and assists teams to stop and dig deep before creating.
The British Design Council developed the Double Diamond in 2005; it is not only about diagramming; it also offers a structured yet fluid consideration of design problems. This presents itself as a journey: opening up at the beginning for all possible insights, bringing it down to the right ones, and repeating the process for solutions.
By the time you finish reading this blog, you won’t only understand what Double Diamond refers to. You will be able to use it confidently in your studies, projects, or even at work.
What Is the Double Diamond Model?
Double Diamond is the visual model that takes a team through creatively systematic solutions to problems. Imagine the two diamonds placed side by side, one for each phase of design thinking.
The first diamond deals with identifying the core issue.
The second diamond has been created with formulating, modifying, and ultimately delivering the solution to the above.
Each diamond follows a rhythm:
- Open to Divergent Thinking (explore broadly, open up options).
- Converging thought, however, cuts down and focuses on the best pathway.
That’s the double diamond design model; expanding twice and focusing.
Why Did the Double Diamond Framework Come Into Existence?
Before the Double Diamond was introduced, things just happened whenever design was mentioned. Some teams would head straight to solutions without having an intimate understanding of the problem, while others stayed busy endlessly researching without bulding anything.
Overall, the user requirements of the successful design projects surveyed by the British Design Council translated into a single set of attributes and behaviors: the best solutions manifested teams that had deliberately explored the domain before deciding, and then repeated that cycle when creating solutions.
Thus, the double diamond model of design thinking was born.
Four Phases in the Double Diamond Model Explained
The above has two diamonds, hence, there are four phases in the Double Diamond framework.
1. Discover-Exploring the Problem Space.
Curiosity reigns supreme here. Don’t try to solve anything yet; that’s not the object of this phase. Gather insights looks user needs, market trends, pain points.
Activities in Discover:
- User interviews
- Market research
- Ethnographical study
- Data analysis
Example: If you’re designing a travel app, think talking to frequent travelers; read reviews of existing apps; understand pain points such as hidden fees or clunky booking flows.
2. Define-Sharpening the Problem
Now you’re switching gears, beginning to see patterns from the sea of information and starting to determine what is most important. The objective is to find the right problem statement.
Activities in Define:
- Affinity mapping (grouping user insights)
- Creating personas
- Writing a clear problem statement
Example: Rather than “make the best travel app,” you may say, “How do we help eco-conscious travelers in easy ways to find affordable sustainable travel alternative?”
3. Develop-Generating Solutions
Now fun begins, essentially. This part is about idea generation and experimentation. Again, you widen brainstorm-multiple solutions, prototype, and test again.
Activities in Develop:
Example: For the travel app, ideas could vary from a carbon-free calculator to AI-powered eco-friendly hotels recommendation.
4. Deliver-Refining Launch
Finally, you narrow down again. After such effective testing, refining, and preparing for that eventual launch, it is all about execution and quality.
Activities in Deliver:
- Usability Testing
- Prototyping Iteratively
- Developing the Final Product
- Launch Strategy
Example: The beta of the app is tested by real users. Their feedback is that they love the eco-badges for airlines, but find the booking steps confusing—so that would be refined before launch.
Why Is the Double Diamond Model Important In Design Thinking?
The double diamond model in design thinking prevents a team from rushing to jumping to solutions but inspires creativity while maintaining a structure.
It binds together user needs and business needs.
It spans across every industry-from technology to healthcare.
It’s not the elimination of creativity but rather the channeling of that creativity: To put this in perspective, think of it as a roadmap for explorers-you still choose your path; however, the model ensures you won’t be lost in the woods.
Application of Double Diamond Model Design
The Double Diamond ensures right solutions before fixing the features for an app, an online tool, or a physical product.
Banks, hospitals, and airlines use it to recreate customer journeys and improve experiences.
3. Business Strategy
It helps organizations to discover an opening, change a business model, and innovate, but more safely.
4. Education
Students learn problem-solving frameworks: the Double Diamond has the students organized in their research and projects.
Double Diamond Model Compared with Other Frameworks
People most likely ask this: double diamond framework, apart from agile or lean, what’s different?
- Agile is focused on iterative development; the double diamond does not–instead, it understands the problem first.
- Build MVPs (minimum viable products), the lean startup, but the double diamond ensures that the minimum viable product solves the right problem.
They go very well together-many companies combine these methods. To work with prototypes the tools you can use are – Figma, Adobe XD, Proto.io, Sketch.
Benefits of the Double Diamond Framework
- Clarity: Problems are better understood within teams.
- Creativity: Divergent phases cause divergence.
- Efficiency: Convergent phases prevent lost effort.
- Collaboration: A shared visual model aligns teams and stakeholders.
Challenges of the Double Diamond Model
No framework is perfect, and the Double Diamond may face hurdles, including:
- Over-research in Discover without advancing.
- Too much in Develop ends with indecision.
- Strictly applying it when teams treat it as a checklist instead of a flexible guide.
However, with such instances, double diamond design must have been treated as a compass instead of being confined.
Real-World Examples of the Double Diamond Model in Use
- Transport for London (TfL) is the example that uses the model to redesign systems through which rail and tube passenger information might operate. Now there is much clearer signage for passengers and happier commuters.
- Airbnb followed the same pathway to rethink the issue at the heart of their proposition: not “how to make rentals safer” but now framed as “how to make guests feel that they belong.”
- Healthcare Services: The UK NHS has applied the Double Diamond in improved patient care pathways.
Is the Double Diamond Model Appropriate for Beginners?
Yes, it certainly does. As terms of reference, this model is very visual, so it is beginner-friendly, and by delving deeper, professional students will find worth in it. Case studies are good, and businesses can scale it for more extensive projects.
It’s like riding a bike; you start with training wheels (the framework), and once you’re confident, you can adapt it to fit your style.
How to Get from the Double Diamond Model to Real Projects
- Start small-use it on class projects or side hustles.
- Document each phase so you don’t lose track.
- Combine it with agile sprints for real-world execution.
- Keep user feedback at the center in everything.
The Future of Double Diamond Model
With AI and automation coming as allies for an instant digital turnaround, The Double Diamond will really stay relevant because it is human-centered. Future versions may include user insights driven by AI as well as digital twins to prototype, but the core-understand first, solve second-will always remain timeless.
PW Skills UI/UX Course – Learn the Double Diamond and Beyond
If you are excited about frameworks such as the Double Diamond Model, and eager to get a grip on user experience design, this is a good place to start enrolling for the PW Skills UI/UX course. The combination of hands-on projects, industry mentorship, and the latest tools prepares you for a design thinking and product innovation career.
FAQs
Who created the Double Diamond Model?
The British Design Council created this model in 2005 after studying successful design processes across industries.
Can the Double Diamond be used outside design?
Yes. It can also be used in business strategy, education, and service innovation apart from design.
How is the Double Diamond different from brainstorming?
That's the power of brainstorming: it's an excellent tool under the Develop phase. The Double Diamond is the big picture or framework that tells us when to brainstorm or when to refine.
Is the Double Diamond Model outdated?
Not at all. While introduced in 2005, it remains completely in use today and very often adapted with agile and lean methods.
