Some solutions require a clear ownership. In these situations, we further expand the devised solution and work together with the customer on a new business case. This can be anything from setting up a new organization together or expanding an existing organization.
Service design is an important part of the implementation phase. We ensure that the needs of the target group are central and design a service that actually helps the target group.
Our work is not necessarily done as soon as a solution is found. If needed, we remain involved in our projects for a long time, providing advice and support when it comes to implementing the solution.
After six months to a year after a solution has been applied, we usually evaluate what its impact has been. We carefully analyze the results and make any adjustments required to ensure that the product or service continues to meet the needs of the target group.
Every solution we develop goes through a pilot phase. In this phase, we ensure that the product or service is ready for testing. We formulate measurable goals that will be monitored over the entire pilot phase. Based on new insights, we improve and refine the product and service until it makes the impact we want.
We are experienced in facilitating creative workshops, which are often an important part of the project. We use workshops to share knowledge with stakeholders, get feedback, think creatively or make something concrete. It is a great way to engage the target group, colleagues and stakeholders. All of our workshops are designed and facilitated in a way that completely supports the project. This is important as our customers always work in complex landscapes.
To launch prototypes in the real world, we work with talented programmers who build the digital products. This can range anywhere from complex code for software systems (for a healthcare institution, for example) to a 'low-code' online website for a cultural institution.
Branding is the process of creating a recognizable identity to build trust and loyalty among the target group. It's about shaping a unique image that reflects the product's values and vision, both online and offline. Effective branding ensures that a product stands out and evokes positive associations. The ultimate goal is to create a strong bond between the product and the target group.
User interface design focuses on a specific aspect of the digital user experience, namely the appearance, attractiveness and how a digital product behaves. When designing, the user comes first, and we do everything we can to enable the user to get from point A to B in a fast, simple and fun way.
By utilizing UX Design we are creating the user experience between people and a product or service. We investigate how people experience services and products, carefully map this out and combine behavioral and design principles to create a new, relevant and pleasant experience. UX Design is mainly used in the development of digital products, such as apps, websites and online tools, but also for tangible products such as card games, signage, physical spaces and personal services.
Together with the customer, we choose a solution direction that we will further develop. We initially develop this on the basis of prototypes. These are simplified models or examples to show how the concept will work before we finalize it. This way, we test our assumptions and determine how well the idea works before we fully implement it.
We design solutions based on the vision. These are ideas for solutions that give substance to the vision. There are often several interventions or concepts possible, and by making these visual we can choose together with the customer which direction(s) best suit the target group, the system, the customer and the vision.
We are experienced in facilitating creative workshops, which are often an important part of the project. We use workshops to share knowledge with stakeholders, get feedback, think creatively or make something concrete. It is a great way to engage the target group, colleagues and stakeholders. All of our workshops are designed and facilitated in a way that completely supports the project. This is important as our customers always work in complex landscapes.
Our research often leads to a vision for the future, which we usually create together with our clients during a vision workshop. A vision describes (and often designs) what the core of the problem is, how we want to solve it and what is the client’s unique role in it. The vision and associated strategy are also often used in internal and external communication.
Through practical tests, we test our ideas and designs. This is how we validate the concept for technical and financial feasibility and functionality. The goal is to prove that the concept will work in practice, be beneficial and make an impact, before more money and time is put into the project. This reduces the ultimate risks during the rest of the process.
To make the solution directions stimulating, we design visual and tangible future scenarios. These serve as starting points for discussion about the possibilities, wishes and vision of the product. We call this speculative design. Based on these designs, we enter into discussions with the customer to determine the possibilities of the product.
All of our research results are brought together during a workshop in which we focus on surprising insights and unexpected connections, presenting an innovative view on your issue - we call this reframing. This new perspective often gives a lot of room for fresh ideas. Many of our customers experience this workshop as an important moment in the project, often changing their view of the challenge forever (for the better).
Customer journeys are developed in order to gain insight into how users go through the process of your (still to be developed) product or service. A customer journey provides a visual overview of the steps a user will take, from the first contact to the desired action or outcome. This tool is very helpful in creating an overview and determining which parts we can innovate in.
Bridging the gap between the research and design phase is done by creating personas. They are detailed visual descriptions, developed from the research data, about the people we want to reach. Personas reflect different users and help empathize with the needs, goals and behaviors of the target audience during the design process.
To ensure that we fully understand the vision of the target group, we can use focus groups. These are structured group discussions that allow us to identify the similarities and differences in the target group's vision in a nuanced manner. We use focus groups during the research phase to gain understanding about important topics and ideas. During later phases, we can use focus groups to gather feedback on concepts and prototypes as part of co-creation. This is how we ensure that the end product connects seamlessly with the end user.
To get a good idea of who we design for (and with), we do in-depth research into the target group. We want to understand the environment, the thoughts, needs, frustrations and wishes of the target group as well as possible and we do that by talking to the target group. By doing so, we always design from the standpoint of the target group itself. In addition, we map out the system within which the target group functions. That is how we can always ensure that the target group and the system come closer together.
We study current behavioral science to find out what is already known about how people behave in the context of the issue. Here we look at which behavioral principles should be included in the design and how we can use them to increase the impact of the end product.
In addition to grant applications, we also support other forms of fundraising. We look at various strategies and together determine how we can obtain the necessary budget for your innovation issue.
In order to finance the project, we look at the financial options together. Within Ink, we have strategic expertise and knowledge about the subsidy landscape. This way we work together to determine an appropriate strategy for your issue. We support you in identifying suitable sources of subsidies, preparing grant applications and ensuring compliance with the grant conditions.
Is your organization facing an innovation issue? We take a look at the question together and create a customized project proposal, regardless of the format. During exploratory discussions, we map out the idea together, determine the goal of the project and the possible steps associated with it. Together, we determine a realistic budget and can help achieve financing.
Every issue requires a different approach and each plan is therefore unique and tailored to your project. Get in touch with us and we'll get to work together.
Is your organisation facing an innovation challenge? You are not alone! We think along with you and make a customised project proposal. Are you unsure whether we can do something for you? Discuss it with us. Together, we look at your issue, needs and budget. We are familiar with the complex world of social impact and always find a form of cooperation that fits. We can even help you find funding and are happy to open up our network to you.
Solid research is always at the basis of good social design. We involve the target group, and talk to experts and stakeholders. This way, we can really understand what the target group finds important and what is going on in their world. We map out the system and look at your issue with a fresh perspective. In our research, we use our in-house knowledge of psychology and behavioural science and draw inspiration from other areas. We make new connections and find innovative and inspiring insights. In doing so, we investigate where opportunities lie to make an impact.
Based on our research, we offer a new look at your problem. We call this reframing. Then, our designers come up with creative solutions. These are concepts that give your vision hands and feet. We make them visual so that we can discuss together which direction best suits the vision, the target group and your organization.
Together with the target group, our customers, stakeholders and experts, we design solutions that make an impact. We make prototypes and test them with all stakeholders. This is how we keep learning and improving until we have a solution that makes a difference. During this phase, we also take into account the context in which the solution should work and ensure that it fits into the world of the target group.
We stay involved and ensure that the solutions we come up with are actually put into practice. We know that social innovation is difficult. With our strong focus on service design and our experience with implementation, we work together to ensure that the solution is not only created, but also embraced.