6 Best Design Thinking Tools for 2023
As a UX designer, I know firsthand how important it is to have the right ideation tools to help you through the design thinking process. That’s why I’ve put together this list of the 6 best design thinking tools for 2023. Whether you’re a seasoned design thinker or just starting out, these tools will help you unlock your creativity and turn your ideas into reality.
Editor’s Pick: Miro
Best for remote teamwork. A collaborative whiteboard tool empowering remote teams to innovate together. Simplify planning, visualize ideas, and boost productivity with real-time collaboration and an intuitive interface.
| Ease of Use | ★★★★★ |
| Collaboration Capabilities | ★★★★★ |
| Visual Flexibility | ★★★★★ |
| Integration and Compatibility | ★★★★☆ |
So, what exactly is design thinking? It’s a process that encourages you to think outside the box and approach problem-solving from a user-centered perspective. By focusing on the needs and wants of your users, you can create products and services that truly resonate with them.
But to do that, you need the right tools. That’s where these design thinking tools come in. From brainstorming to prototyping, each tool has a specific purpose that can help you move through the design thinking process with ease.
What Are the Best Design Thinking Tools for 2023
So, what are the best design thinking tools for 2023? As a UX designer, I’ve spent years testing out different ideation tools and design thinking processes to find the ones that work best for me.
Whether you’re looking for a tool to help you brainstorm new ideas or a platform to bring your prototypes to life, I’ve got you covered. Here is my list of 6 of the best design thinking tools for 2023:
1. Miro
Overview
Miro is a visual collaboration platform that allows teams to work together in real-time. It’s perfect for brainstorming, ideation, and design thinking processes. With Miro, you can create virtual whiteboards, collaborate on ideas, and bring your design thinking to life.
Highlights
- Virtual whiteboards for brainstorming and ideation
- Real-time collaboration for remote teams
- A range of templates and frameworks to help you get started
- Integrations with other tools like Slack and Trello
- Mobile app for on-the-go collaboration
Pricing
Miro offers a range of pricing options, starting with a free plan for small teams. The paid plans start at $8 per user per month for the Team plan, with additional features and customization available with the Business and Enterprise plans.
In my perspective
I personally love using Miro for design thinking workshops. In one project, my team and I were tasked with redesigning an e-commerce website for Great Eastern. We used Miro’s virtual whiteboards to brainstorm and ideate together, even though we were all working remotely.
It made the process much smoother and more collaborative. Overall, I highly recommend Miro as a design thinking tool for its real-time collaboration, range of templates, and helpful features.
2. Figma
Overview
Figma is a cloud-based design tool that allows teams to collaborate on UI and UX design projects. It’s a popular choice for designers, as it offers real-time collaboration and a range of features to help streamline the design process.
Highlights
- Real-time collaboration for remote teams
- Vector networks for more efficient design
- Auto-layout features for faster prototyping
- Design system management for consistency across projects
- Built-in commenting and feedback tools
Pricing
Figma offers a free plan for individuals and small teams, with paid plans starting at $15 per editor per month for the Professional plan. The Organization plan, starting at $45 per editor per month, offers additional features like advanced security and team management tools.
In my perspective
As a UX designer, I’ve found that Figma and its new tool FigJam are incredibly useful for the design thinking process. One of the standout features of FigJam is the infinite canvas, which allows me to expand my ideas without being limited by space.
It’s also great for team brainstorming sessions, where we can easily organize and prioritize ideas in real-time. Another benefit of Figma is its ability to integrate with other tools in the design thinking process, like user testing platforms or project management tools.
This integration makes it easier to manage and iterate on design projects, while also keeping everything in one place. Overall, I highly recommend Figma and FigJam as essential design thinking tools for any UX designer or design team.
Their collaborative features, efficient design capabilities, and seamless integration with other tools make them stand out from other design thinking tools on the market.
3. Sketch
Overview
Sketch is a popular design tool used by UX designers, product designers, and UI designers for its simplicity and ease of use. It allows designers to create vector graphics, wireframes, and prototypes with ease.
Highlights
- Vector editing: Sketch provides powerful vector editing tools that allow designers to create and manipulate shapes with ease.
- Plugins: Sketch has a large number of plugins available that allow designers to extend its functionality and integrate it with other tools.
- Libraries: Sketch’s library feature allows designers to create reusable components that can be easily shared across projects.
- Prototyping: Sketch includes a built-in prototyping feature that allows designers to create interactive prototypes and animations.
- Collaboration: Sketch provides tools for real-time collaboration and version control, making it easy for teams to work together on design projects.
Pricing
Sketch offers a simple pricing model with two options: a per-user subscription for $9 per month or a team subscription for $99 per user per year. There’s also a 30-day free trial available for those who want to try it out before committing.
In my perspective
Sketch has been a staple in my toolkit for design thinking workshops. I love how intuitive it is to use and how it allows me to easily iterate and refine my ideas.
One time, during a UX workshop, we were able to quickly sketch out and visualize different concepts using Sketch, which helped us make better decisions and move forward with the project more efficiently.
Another time, while working remotely with a team, we were able to collaborate seamlessly by using Sketch’s cloud-based features, which allowed us to easily share and comment on designs in real-time.
4. Adobe XD
Overview
Adobe XD is a user experience design software that allows designers to create and collaborate on designs, prototypes, and animations. It offers an intuitive and streamlined interface that makes designing and sharing assets seamless.
Highlights
- Easy prototyping and wireframing capabilities
- Integration with other Adobe Creative Cloud apps
- Collaboration features for team projects
- Responsive design with built-in design grids and assets
- Interactive animations and transitions for high-fidelity prototypes
Pricing
Adobe XD offers a free starter plan with limited features and a paid plan for individuals and businesses at $9.99/month or as part of the Adobe Creative Cloud Suite.
In my perspective
As a designer who regularly uses Adobe XD for design thinking workshops, I can confidently say that this tool is a game-changer. What I particularly appreciate is its ease of use, allowing me to quickly create wireframes and prototypes that bring my ideas to life.
With Adobe XD, I can easily collaborate with team members and clients, share design assets, and streamline the overall design process. The ability to create interactive experiences and animations within the platform is another standout feature that sets it apart from other design thinking tools on the market.
5. InVision
Overview
InVision is a design thinking tool that allows you to create interactive and high-fidelity prototypes for your projects. With its easy-to-use interface and collaboration features, it’s a popular choice for designers and design teams alike.
Highlights
- Ability to create realistic animations and transitions
- Comprehensive design library and asset management
- Team collaboration and commenting system
- User testing and feedback tools
- Integration with other design tools like Sketch and Photoshop
Pricing
In terms of pricing, InVision offers a free plan with limited features, as well as paid plans starting at $7.95 per user per month for more advanced functionality.
In my perspective
From my personal experience using InVision for design thinking workshops and activities, I find it to be a versatile tool that allows me to quickly iterate and share my ideas with others. Its built-in user testing and feedback features have also been invaluable in validating my design decisions.
6. MURAL
Overview
MURAL is an online collaborative whiteboard platform that enables teams to work together and brainstorm ideas visually. The platform offers a digital canvas where teams can create and share sticky notes, diagrams, and drawings.
Highlights
- Real-time collaboration with team members anywhere in the world.
- Customizable templates for various design thinking exercises.
- Integration with other design tools like Sketch, Figma, and Adobe Creative Suite.
- Access to a library of images and icons to add visual elements to the canvas.
- Ability to create and save reusable components and templates.
Pricing
MURAL offers different pricing options depending on the size of the team and the features required. The basic plan starts at $12 per user per month, with discounts available for annual billing. Higher-tier plans offer additional features like unlimited storage, advanced security, and priority support.
In my perspective
MURAL has become an indispensable tool for my design thinking workshops and activities. Its vast library of templates and customizable features have made it easier for me to create engaging and interactive sessions for my clients. The real-time collaboration feature has been particularly useful in facilitating remote workshops with teams from different locations.
What are Design Thinking Tools?
Design thinking tools are essential resources that help designers ideate, prototype, and test new products or services with the user in mind. These tools make it possible to efficiently integrate human-centered design principles into the design process.
With the rise of design thinking, tools like Sketch, Adobe XD, and InVision have become crucial for designers to create innovative solutions that meet user needs.
My perspective on the Best Design Thinking Tools
In conclusion, the world of design thinking offers a vast array of tools that can help designers create innovative solutions to complex problems. Each of the six tools we’ve covered in this article has its strengths and weaknesses, and the best one for you will depend on your specific needs and preferences.
However, Miro stands out as the easiest tool to learn and use for new designers and those new to the tool. If you’re ready to take your design thinking to the next level, consider giving Miro a try.
