Universal Principles of Storytelling for Designers

Psychology + Philosophy

Thesis + Antithesis = Synthesis

A point, followed by an alternative point, followed by a solution.

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While telling a design story, I’m often asked how the design was conceived. Rather than providing a direct answer, I regularly describe this simple but effective method for vetting ideas: thesis, antithesis, and synthesis.

•The thesis is an initial proposition.

•The antithesis negates the thesis and reacts to the proposition.

•The synthesis solves the conflict between the thesis and antithesis by reconciling their common truths and forming a new proposition.

For example:

•Thesis: The new hotel room should include a ...