What is this?

This is a guide for selecting, framing, and communicating the intentions of a design project.

A design approach can be inserted into many junctures of almost any project. For example, iteration and making low-resolution prototypes is useful in nearly any work you do. Speaking to people for whom you are designing is never a bad idea. Start your practice by using design techniques in your current projects when they are useful.

When you are ready to take on a complete exploratory project using design, this guide is for you. It discusses what challenges are best suited for human-centered design, and how to scope and frame design projects. We hope you find it to be useful.

This scoping guide is also useful when creating project briefs for students. It may help you create a challenge that balances direction and ambiguity, for a great learning experience.