The Double Diamond design process

The Double Diamond is a design process model introduced by the UK Design Council in 2004. It has four phases across two diamonds: discover and define the right problem, then develop and deliver the right solution, alternating between widening and narrowing options.

The core ideas

The main points of The Double Diamond design process:

  • Discover: research the problem space widely, with real users
  • Define: narrow the findings into a clear problem statement
  • Develop: explore many possible solutions
  • Deliver: test, refine and ship the solution that works

How to apply it to your product

Map your project stages onto the diamonds. In Fleck, idea validation and personas cover discover and define; flows, screens and iterations cover develop; UX audit and handoff cover deliver.

Check your designs with Fleck

Fleck's UX Audit reviews a screen or live URL for usability, accessibility and visual hierarchy problems and returns specific fixes you can apply in the same project.

Common mistakes

  • Skipping the first diamond and designing a solution before the problem is defined
  • Treating the model as strictly linear when teams often loop back

Häufig gestellte Fragen

Is the Double Diamond linear?

No. The Design Council describes it as iterative: teams often return to earlier phases when testing reveals something new.