Is the double diamond still useful?
Designers used the double diamond to explore problems and solutions. But building prototypes has become cheaper and faster, and the value of early design has risen. This article asks if the double diamond still makes sense.
What they did
The author reviews the history of the double diamond, from its 2004 launch by the Design Council to its influence by IDEO and the ideas of Herbert Simon. He notes that prototyping now costs little, so designers are encouraged to start earlier. He argues that the old double‑diamond structure no longer fits software design.
What they found
The conclusion is that the double diamond is dead for software, leaving only a single‑diamond approach that focuses on a brief and a broader generation step. This view helps designers shift from the old model to a simpler one.