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⟳ Design process

Double diamond

더블 다이아몬드

Two diamonds of diverge-then-converge, from the UK Design Council, mapping the shape of a design process.

Also known as: 4D 모델Discover Define Develop Deliver
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html
<div class="stage">
  <svg viewBox="0 0 400 140" class="dia">
    <path d="M20 70 L110 15 L200 70 L110 125 Z" class="d1" />
    <path d="M200 70 L290 15 L380 70 L290 125 Z" class="d2" />
  </svg>
  <div class="dots" id="dots"></div>
  <div class="labels">
    <span>Discover</span><span>Define</span><span>Develop</span><span>Deliver</span>
  </div>
  <div class="cur" id="cur"></div>
</div>
css
.stage{width:96%;height:86%;position:relative;display:flex;flex-direction:column;justify-content:center;gap:4px}
.dia{width:100%;height:60%}
.d1,.d2{fill:none;stroke:var(--line);stroke-width:1.5}
.labels{display:flex;justify-content:space-between;font:700 10px/1 monospace;color:var(--muted);padding:0 2%}
.dots{position:absolute;inset:0}
.pt{position:absolute;width:6px;height:6px;border-radius:50%;background:var(--accent);top:50%;transition:left .5s ease,top .5s ease}
js
const dots = document.getElementById('dots');
const W = 400, H = 140;
function pct(x, y) { return { left: (x / W * 100) + '%', top: (y / H * 100) + '%' }; }
const n = 7;
const pts = [];
for (let i = 0; i < n; i++) {
  const d = document.createElement('div');
  d.className = 'pt';
  dots.appendChild(d);
  pts.push(d);
}
function place(cx, spread) {
  for (let i = 0; i < n; i++) {
    const t = (i / (n - 1) - 0.5) * 2;
    const p = pct(cx, 70 + t * spread);
    pts[i].style.left = p.left;
    pts[i].style.top = p.top;
  }
}
const frames = [
  function () { place(60, 6); },
  function () { place(105, 50); },
  function () { place(150, 6); },
  function () { place(245, 6); },
  function () { place(290, 50); },
  function () { place(335, 6); },
];
let i = 0;
function step() { frames[i % frames.length](); i++; }
step();
setInterval(step, 900);

The UK Design Council published this in 2005. The first diamond explores the problem broadly (Discover, divergent) and narrows it to a clear problem statement (Define, convergent); the second diamond explores solution candidates broadly (Develop, divergent) and narrows to one finished answer (Deliver, convergent). Where the diamond widens, thinking is deliberately divergent — generating ideas and perspectives; where it narrows, thinking is convergent — applying criteria to choose.

The most common mistake is skipping the first diamond and jumping straight to solutions. Diverging on solutions before the problem is even defined tends to lock a team into whatever idea came first. The narrow point between the two diamonds (Define) is where the team agrees on the actual problem worth solving.

Since 2005 the Design Council has expanded this into a broader "Framework for Innovation" with four accompanying principles, but the two-diamond shape itself remains the most widely used visualization.

When to use

Pull this out when a team is jumping straight to solution ideas without a defined problem, and ask which diamond the discussion is actually in.