2×2 Matrix
Denise Thornberry | Student at Rhode Island School of Design, Providence
Use:
Map the scope of where concepts or ideas fall within a project. For example, to understand where new vs. old meets individual vs. communal in the subject of transportation. In our research mapping for Innova we intersected experienced vs. inexperienced and customer vs. employee.
Source:
In a Sophomore year class in the Industrial Design department with Soojung Ham, our Head of Department. We used it to map out existing technologies and where they fit.
Adaptation:
Not much really, but I now mainly use it to map out ideas from brainstorming sessions to group them into 4 quadrants according to the extremes that go on the 2 axis.
Last Used:
2 months ago when Kritika and I we were mapping people we needed to interview/meet during our research trip to Peru.
Requirements:
People: As many people as you can, either from your team or collaborators you might want to include, like advisors or clients. A person who will be the ‘moderator’ leading the discussion.
Tools and Materials: A big white wall or white board. Post its. Pens.
Space: Wherever. Preferably a well lit room!
Time: Depending on the project and how I use it it can go from a 10 minute to a 30-45 minute process. Also, the matrix is usually revisited and keeps evolving throughout the project.
Description of Process:
Here’s a little sketch of what a matrix could look like, minus the post its.
-Decide on the categories and extremes for the axis
-Everyone spends some time writing down ideas/concepts/feelings related to these categories on the axis on post its.
-It is important to use post its to move things around.
-Have everyone post their stuff on the grid
-Have the ‘moderator’ go through the ideas and lead discussion with everyone to decide on final placements.
-Take pictures of the grid on its different stages
XYZ Method
Name of Contributor, Position and Organization
Use and adaptation
Requirements (People, Materials, Space, Time)
Description of Process + Image
Design Thinking Toolkit 