The Importance of Evidence-Based Design Thinking
Unlock the secrets to effective startup innovation with evidence-based design thinking. Learn from a RISD and Y Combinator alum how to base your design decisions on real-world data and customer feedback to ensure your product truly meets user needs.
Grounding Statements in Data and Insights
A good indicator that your team can chill on customer research (ideally after engaging with at least ten customers weekly) is when you can accurately anticipate customer feedback without falling prey to confirmation bias or formulating leading questions. This approach, rooted in evidence-based design thinking, ensures that your product development strategies are aligned with actual user needs and not just internal assumptions.
Design for Others, Not Just Yourself
Remember, design is for others, not just an outlet for personal expression. Every aspect of your startup innovation should be grounded in real-world data and customer insights. Embracing this mindset is critical in transitioning from a traditional startup to a design-led one.
I share these insights as a RISD and Y Combinator alum with a decade of experience, including my founding product designer role at Imgur and NUMI Co-Founder. Hopefully, it’s a bit helpful as you start your founding journey :)
