Imagine you’re a college student stressed about an upcoming research paper. You need to find credible sources, but the library’s mobile app is clunky and confusing. Ugh! Sound familiar?

This was the exact problem a university faced with their outdated library app. Students were frustrated, and library staff were fielding constant questions. That’s when the library team decided to use design thinking to revamp the app and make research more simple for students.

Here’s how they did it: Empathize: The team interviewed students to understand their pain points. They discovered students found searching difficult, organizing references a hassle, and accessing resources from off-campus a challenge.

Define: The team defined the problem as: Students need a user-friendly library app that simplifies research and resource access.

Ideate: The team brainstormed solutions. Ideas included a more intuitive search bar, a reference management tool, and the ability to download articles for offline reading.

Prototype: They created a basic mock-up of the new app with the key features.

Test: They presented the prototype to students and got feedback. Students loved the new search function and the reference manager, but some found the offline download feature confusing.

Back to the Drawing Board! Based on the feedback, the team went back to the drawing board and refined the prototype. They simplified the offline download feature and added clearer instructions. They then tested the revised version with another group of students—and this time—it was a hit! By understanding design thinking and applying it to real-world problems, you can create user experiences that are not only beautiful but also functional and enjoyable.

11. What was the first step the library team took in the design thinking process? Select the best answer.