Build log #4 - Pivot to building a Notion template

Nov 21, 2024

A Temporary Pivot

So, life happens, and I have to shelf this design project (developing an OCD tracker) till next year. My travels these months have affected my commitment to the group OCD therapy programme - weekly 3-hour zoom plus a lot of reading and homework. The director and I have decided to move me to restart with the Jan 2025 cohort (next year really is not that far away!).

Instead, I will attend to my other project - developing a Notion Template - which will be the focus of this Design Thinking Build Log from now on.

Here’s the backstory…

The needs of of a solo Design Thinker (or very small team)

As I started to dive into developing my light version of Design Thinking - for solo practitioners and very small teams - I could not find any suitable all-in-one project tools.

While there is plenty of quality literature about Design Thinking, there simply aren’t many tools dedicated to that purpose. Sprintbase is the only one I have found that is built for the full process, with a few others supporting part of the process e.g. SessionLab for planning design workshops. (This article lists a round-up of popular Design Thinking online tools). In general, these tools are designed with a big team in mind (often with a price tag to match).

I wondered: What do solopreneurs or small teams need in order to best conduct Design Thinking Light efficiently?

My vision: an accessible all-in-one digital tool that

guides users through the Design Thinking process
captures and stores all relevant information (user research data, personas, market analysis, problem statements, ideations, etc.)
offers an at-a-glance summary dashboard
emphasizes more on information organization than large team collaboration

The last point is a significant differentiator because a solo/small team does not have much use for elaborate collaborative features offered by many existing tools.

Notion, a popular platform

Enter Notion: the flexible, powerful platform that has become the go-to tool for many entrepreneurs, creators, and small teams. I realized that Notion could be adapted to fulfill my vision of a streamlined Design Thinking Light tool, tailored specifically for those working solo or in very small teams.

Building a Notion template is free/economical, unlike developing a full-scaled design tool. Its modular structure allows for customization and personalization. All in all, it’s the perfect concept-testing canvas for creating a template that balances simplicity with the comprehensive needs of a Design Thinking process.

A glimpse into what I am building

Here’s what I’m aiming to accomplish with my Notion template:

Step-by-step Guidance: The template will outline each phase of Design Thinking Light, breaking down the process into manageable steps. Users will be able to navigate from Empathize to Test with clear, concise prompts.

Part of this has been done. Below is a screen shot.
Centralized Information Storage: All research, insights, personas, and ideation sessions can be stored and accessed from a single place. This reduces the need for multiple tools and scattered notes.
Customizable Dashboards: The template will feature a visual dashboard that provides an at-a-glance overview of key points. I may or may not be able to programme in a progress tracker.
User-Friendly Organization: Rather than focusing on collaboration features, the template will emphasize solo workflow optimization, making it easy for the designer to stay organized and maintain momentum.

Apply Design Thinking on Tool Design

This pivot to building a Notion template isn't just about filling a gap in the tools landscape. It’s also an experiment in applying my Design Thinking Light framework to a real problem: creating something that meets the needs of an underrepresented group—solo practitioners and small teams.

I don’t know where this journey may take me but I look forward to sharing regular notes with you along the way!

What do you use to guide you Design Thinking process? Do you have a favourite tool or do you piece together your own system? I would love to hear about your experience, tips, and recommendations!

Thinker & Co.

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