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Design Thinking In Ui/ux: Making Products People Love
In today’s fast-moving digital world, people expect apps and websites to work smoothly and be easy to understand. If something feels slow, confusing, or frustrating, users often leave and try something else. That’s why design thinking is so important. It helps us understand people’s real needs before we start designing.
Design thinking is widely used in UI/UX design to create apps and websites that are not only good-looking, but also easy to use, useful, and enjoyable.
???? What is Design Thinking?
Design thinking is a human-centered way of solving problems. Instead of jumping straight to solutions, it focuses on the people who will use the product.
There are five main steps in design thinking:
Empathize – Try to understand the users. Talk to them, observe how they use things, and listen to their pain points. What are their goals? What frustrates them?
Define – From your research, clearly describe the real problem. For example, “Users are frustrated because they can’t easily find a tuk-tuk during rush hour.”
Ideate – Brainstorm and come up with many possible solutions. Don’t limit yourself at this stage. Even crazy ideas are welcome.
Prototype – Make a simple version of your solution. It doesn’t have to be perfect. It could be a wireframe, a paper sketch, or a clickable demo.
Test – Let real users try your prototype. Watch how they use it, ask for feedback, and use their input to improve your design.
Real-World Example: PickMe - Sri Lanka
A great Sri Lankan example of design thinking is PickMe, the ride-hailing app.
When PickMe launched, it didn’t just copy foreign apps like Uber. Instead, they took time to study the local market and talk to both drivers and passengers in Sri Lanka. They learned:
- Many tuk-tuk drivers weren’t used to using maps.
- Customers preferred to pay with cash, not credit cards.
- Internet coverage was weak in some areas.
- Users preferred apps in Sinhala or Tamil.
- People wanted options for bikes, cars, or three-wheelers based on budget and need.
Instead of building a fancy app first, PickMe listened to users, built simple prototypes, and tested features before launching. That’s how they became one of Sri Lanka’s most popular ride apps.
???????? Why It’s Important in UI/UX
Design thinking helps us:
- Create what users actually need, not what we assume they need.
- Test ideas early, before spending too much time or money.
- Fix problems quickly, based on real feedback.
In UI/UX, this means making apps that are easier, faster, and more enjoyable to use.
????️ How to Use Design Thinking (Even in Small Projects)
You don’t need a big team or budget to use design thinking. Even small businesses, startups, or student projects can benefit.
Here’s how you can start:
- Talk to users early: Ask simple questions like “What’s the hardest part of using this app?” or “What do you wish this website could do better?”
- Sketch ideas on paper or use free tools like Figma or Canva to make quick mockups.
- Show your idea to real users, not just your team or friends.
- Listen to feedback and improve your design, step by step.
???? Final Thoughts
Design thinking is not just for designers. It’s for anyone creating products for people. Whether you're a developer, startup founder, student, or business owner.
By following the design thinking steps (empathize, define, ideate, prototype, and test) you’ll be able to create websites and apps that solve real problems and make your users happy.
Just like PickMe and other Sri Lankan platforms, you too can build something truly useful by listening first, designing second.
