Universal Methods of Design

SYNTHESIS / ANALYSIS TECHNIQUE

03 Affinity Diagramming

Affinity diagramming is a process used to externalize and meaningfully cluster observations and insights from research, keeping design teams grounded in data as they design.

As long as research data is stored as tacit knowledge in people’s minds or buried in interview transcripts, teams will experience difficulty synthesizing what has been observed and learned. Affinity diagramming helps designers capture research-backed insights, observations, concerns, or requirements on individual sticky notes, so that the design implication of each can be fully considered on its own. Notes are then clustered ...