A design question can be too broad to guide work or so narrow that it already contains the team's preferred answer. The wording determines which alternatives remain available.
IDEO.org's How Might We method frames design opportunities as questions. IDEO.org Design Kit — How Might We.
Remove the hidden solution
For a cultural character, a question about adding a particular accessory may prematurely close the space. Start with the supported need or difficulty that the accessory was intended to address.
Check the boundary
The question should be specific enough to produce relevant ideas and open enough to permit different approaches. Connect it to the research evidence, then review whether the generated concepts actually answer it. A good question organises exploration without claiming the answer has already been validated.
Source reviewed 25 October 2026. Interpretation and original diagrams: PLUSHIP / Qunhe. Examples are illustrative.
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