Method banks

What is it?

The documentation and communication of design methods within an organisation.

What is it useful for?

Encouraging best practice in design and user experience, avoiding rework and improving robustness and efficiency of outputs.

How can I do it?

Record methods used during the design process with descriptions, videos, sketches and flowcharts on, for example, an internal website. Live or online discussions can take place around each individual method topic to incorporate everybody’s experiences.

Sometimes methods banks are open only to designers. Other times, everyone in an organisation can access them so they can contribute their ideas and reflections. Formally documenting design methods in this way shows everyone in an organisation that designers’ work has tangible outputs and is valuable and appreciated.

Sometimes a methods bank is also made accessible to external users. An organisation can build its reputation from demonstrating its expertise in design and development and its willingness to communicate with users. Sharing design methods like this means others will build on them, raising the bar for design in the wider world.