Lens thinking is a way of thinking I came up with to help me make sure the solutions I design are good. Basically.

Solutions can manifest, for example, as choice architecture, inventions and devices, objects, art and design, communications materials… the list goes on.

Thinking about each of the below as a lens through which to judge the solution, I’m asking myself:

• Is it fit-for-purpose? (Never lose sight of the problem you’re trying to solve)
• Is it appealing? (Each of the senses acts as a lens – visual appeal, haptic appeal, olfactory appeal, etc.)
• Are we considering the perspective of/ impact on all audiences? (both intended and unintended)
• Is it fair, open, and respectful to different audiences, cultures, beliefs, mindsets…?
• Is it accessible and inclusive?
• Does it meet the multi-dimensionality criteria?

What the fuck’s the multi-dimensionality criteria? To borrow from (and bastardise) theoretical physics, the first three dimensions are space, the fourth dimension is time, and the fifth dimension is probability. Looking through these lenses, I’m asking myself question such as:

• Are we using the right touchpoints?
• Is what we’re doing happening at the optimal moment?
• Has it worked before?
• Is it likely to be impactful?
• Is it likely to continue to be impactful in the context of the probable future?

You can read my original blog on the Corporate Culture website.