Dynagrams: Enhancing design thinking through dynamic diagrams

Design thinking relies on visual tools for its divergent and convergent collaborative tasks. Many tools are paper-based compilation devices, such as empathy maps. We argue that visual methods can offer more than just information synthesis. We adapt three existing dynamic diagrams and use them in combination to support design thinking teams in prototyping activities. These so-called dynagrams enable teams to deal with greater levels of complexity than typical visual design thinking tools can afford. Specifically, we present the Roper dynagrams for greater client focus, the Sankey dynagrams for idea and target matching, and the Confluence dynagrams for prototype-feature analysis. We report from application experiences with these techniques and describe how to use these and similar tools in design thinking contexts. •We propose three dynamic diagrams to support team communication in design thinking.•We apply three diagram concepts: law encoding, representational guidance, free ride.•The results show that diagrams support joint analysis and decision making.•The results suggest complementary use of analog and digital tools for design thinking.