Inspire Team

Show, Don’t Tell

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#design thinking
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Goal

The "Show, don't Tell" activity aims to help learners understand the testing phase of Design Thinking by bringing in a valuable item they use daily and collaboratively generating questions to test, understand, and improve the product's design.

Materials

    Instructions

    Prior to doing this activity, instruct participants to bring in an important item they use daily that addresses a specific need or problem. It can be an object of sentimental value, one that has a story behind it, or a practical object that serves a really specific purpose for someone’s life. Encourage them to think of something other than common items most people use (i.e. cell phones, toothbrushes, common utensils, etc…),

    1. Introduction : Explain the significance of the testing phase in the Design Thinking process. (5 minutes)


    1. Sharing and Observation (15 minutes):


    • Ask each participant to share their chosen item with the group. Some questions you could use to help them with their presentation include:

      • What is the object?

      • How often is it used daily?

      • Where did they get it?

      • What could they use to replace its function if they didn’t have it?

      • How does it improve their quality of life?

    • Encourage others to observe the item's design, features, and how it addresses the user's needs.

      • What is it made of?

      • Is it easily replaceable?

      • Do they use the same (or similar) item in their own life?

      • Do they use the same item in the same way or for the same purpose?


    1. Group Question Generation (20 minutes):


    • Divide participants into small groups of 4-6 individuals.

    • Instruct each group to generate a list of questions they would ask to test their item's functionality, usability, and user experience.

    • Encourage questions that explore the item's strengths and potential areas for improvement.

    • Invite participants to support one another in generating questions that will help glean insights into their chosen products.


    1. Question Presentation (10 minutes):


    • Each group presents their list of questions to the rest of the participants.

    • Facilitate discussions on the relevance and effectiveness of the questions for understanding the item's design and usability.


    1. Reflection and Debrief (5 minutes):


    • Gather all participants for a group discussion on the insights gained from the testing questions.

    • Highlight the importance of iterative testing and feedback in the Design Thinking process.

    Background

    Preparation

    Inform participants in advance to bring in an important item they use daily that serves a specific need or problem.

    Technology Considerations

    In-Person: Allocate space for participants to share their items and form small groups for question generation.

    Virtual: Use video conferencing tools with breakout rooms for small group discussions.

    Additional Context:

    This activity encourages participants to apply the testing phase of Design Thinking to real-life products they find valuable. Encourage participants to think outside the box when considering an item that meets an important need or function in their lives. The goal here is to have people think beyond common items like a smart phone or their car, and choose items that have a more specific use. A diversity of items is important for the success of this activity.

    Tips for Localization

    • Encourage participants to choose items that reflect the specific challenges and needs within their community, or that have a particular use for the context in which they live, work or play (i.e. an item specific to fishing or hunting)

    • Have participants choose an item that was made in the North or a picture of an item they admire that was made in the North to get them to start discussing Indigenous culture and history. Some questions to ask:

      • Is it sold in your community already?

      • Where is the best place for this product to sell?

      • If you were selling this item, what features would be important to highlight?


    Debrief Questions

    • Did you find it easy or difficult to generate questions that would help you get ideas on how your product could be improved?

    • How did the testing questions help you understand how the items functioned and can be used?

    • What knowledge did you gain from the questions? How could that knowledge be used to improve the design of the items?

    • How does the testing phase contribute to the overall success of the Design Thinking process?

    • How might you apply the iterative testing approach to improve your own ideas and solutions in the future?

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