Solving design problems with analogies
Analogy can be effective in problem solving to illuminate new areas of understanding, but it can also be an opportunity for creativity to flourish by surfacing new perspectives and inspirations. When making an analogy we examine the relationship between the problem at hand, and an experience or similar situation and how it came to be solved. By scrutinizing the solution and understanding why it worked we can take that knowledge and transfer the solution to solving our current problem.
Design problems may be loosely organized or even appear to be quite abstract so looking at analogous situations can focus our thinking and filter ideas.
When I redesigned the Changed app, I challenged myself to make the content, visuals and experience of using a financial app encouraging for the user. After all, it was an app that displayed student loans, a dreary subject to most. How could we show the benefits of small roundup payments contributing to greater loan interest savings in the long run?
Approaching the challenge from a different angle, I examined another area of peoples lives that we care deeply about, our health. The health fitness industry utilizes data to inform users about their physical wellbeing, their achievements and their progress toward their goals (i.e. running 20 minutes = 150 calories burned).
One of the ways designers put data into perspective for the user is to display information in calories, steps, or small units that encourage and also inform the user of the achievements they’ve already made towards their greater goal of becoming healthy.
I took this idea of breaking down complex information into digestible bits that make it much easier for people to understand. For Changed, I displayed the interest savings for roundups from the account the user created all the way to the transaction itself to show the impact that a small amount of money has on saving interest.
Here’s the structure I utilized when designing the solution to the problem. When making an analogy the two situations don’t need to have direct resemblance of each other.
It’s nice when there is a structure to follow, but a lack of structure can also provide a springboard for ideas and may lead to more creative designs.
Look beyond similarities in appearance or literal similarities and dig into higher level relationships between design elements. What exactly does this look like?
Here is what to consider when looking at an analogous solution or design.
1. What problem does this solve?
- Look at what the design does, what is its function?
2. How does it solve the problem?
- What actions contribute to achieving success?
- How is it functional?
- How are the components changing?
3. Examine the composition
- Take note of the elements and components that make up the design, each one has characteristics and features
- How are the elements ordered and how do they relate to the whole?
The goal of this exercise is to gather new ideas of structure from a design, experience or problem with similar functions and behaviors as the one you are trying to solve. Analogies often require both a great understanding and knowledge of the area you are designing as well as the industry you are analyzing. So dig deep.
It’s fascinating to hear how designers, artists, problem solvers and creators conceptualize the world around them and make creative designs or come up with novel solutions.I love to hear stories about it so please do reach out and share.
