As designers, it’s easy to jump to the first solution that comes to mind when we encounter a problem. However, this initial solution may not be fully informed since problems are often complex and multifaceted.

That’s why I believe taking a deep dive into the problem space is essential for effective design.

The way I approach any problem statement is

• I first try to break down the problem into its most basic fundamental facts to understand it better.
• I then take a step back and start figuring out the answers to questions like
  • Why are we even solving this problem in the first place?
  • Why is the user even facing this problem?
  • How can we approach this better?
  • What is the current reality?
• After gaining a good amount of clarity about the problem, I systematically approach the problem via journey thinking.
• Once the entire journey is jotted down, I start with the interaction and UI design.

Here’s how I approach any problem statement:

• I begin by breaking the problem down into its fundamental components to gain a clear understanding.
• Next, I take a step back and reflect on key questions such as:
  • Why are we solving this problem in the first place?
  • Why is the user encountering this issue?
  • How can we address it more effectively?
  • What is the current situation?
• After achieving a solid understanding of the problem, I move forward with a journey-based approach, mapping out the entire user journey.
• With the journey outlined, I then proceed with the IA, interactions and UI.