Design Thinking Canvas
Process tool for complete Design Thinking projects.
PURPOSE
The Design Thinking Canvas is used to structure the entire Design Thinking process on one page and make the progress of a Design Thinking project visually trackable. It solves the problem that Design Thinking projects often run unstructured and insights from earlier phases are lost in later ones. This ensures continuous documentation from the empathy phase through testing.
HOW TO USE
Hang the canvas in large format in the project room and fill it out along the Design Thinking phases. Document user insights from the Empathize phase, the problem definition (Point of View), generated ideas, prototypes, and test results. Use sticky notes, photos, and sketches to capture each phase's results. The canvas serves as a central information radiator for the entire project team.
WHAT IT IS
The Design Thinking Canvas is a process tool that visualizes the five phases of the Design Thinking approach on one page: Empathize, Define, Ideate, Prototype, and Test. Each phase has designated fields for documenting insights, results, and next steps. The canvas serves as a visual guide and documentation surface for Design Thinking projects, making overall progress visible.
EXAMPLE
Example: You lead a four-week Design Thinking project redesigning the onboarding for new employees and use the Design Thinking Canvas as a central workspace, tracking progress through all phases – from empathy research through problem definition to tested prototype – on a single page. This helps the team maintain the overall picture despite iterative loops.