EDIPT: A Five Step Guide to Effective Design Thinking

Design thinking is a human-centered approach to solving complex problems, fostering innovation, and enhancing user experiences. At its core lies the EDIPT model, a five-step process that empowers designers, developers, and creators to generate impactful solutions. Whether you’re crafting a TTRPG rulebook, designing digital products, or improving a game interface, the EDIPT framework provides a structured yet flexible approach to problem-solving.

What is the EDIPT Model?

The EDIPT model—short for Empathize, Define, Ideate, Prototype, and Test—breaks down design thinking into five iterative steps that encourage creativity while staying grounded in real-world needs.

Design thinking is an iterative process, meant to keep turning like a carousel. When you finish testing (or earlier!), your results will help you empathize with your users’ new wants and needs, so the cycle begins anew.

Designs can always be better, so the ride never truly ends. Instead, projects tend to end when you run out of money, your boss tells you it’s time to move on, or your passion shifts to the next big idea.

1. Empathize: Understanding the User

Before solving a problem, you need to deeply understand the people experiencing it. This step involves:

• Conducting user interviews or observations
• Identifying pain points and frustrations
• Understanding user goals, motivations, and emotions

Example in TTRPG Design: If you’re designing a character sheet, interview players to understand where they get confused or frustrated. Do they forget key stats? Do they struggle with layout clarity?

2. Define: Framing the Problem

With insights gathered, the next step is to clearly articulate the problem. Turn your research into a simple prompt that you, your coworkers, and your curious grandma can understand. This step involves:

• A well-defined problem statement to summarize your goals
• Three clear design pillars to anchor your decisions
• A unifying aesthetic brand archetype to style your presentation

Formula for a Strong Problem Statement: “[User] needs a way to [solve pain point] because [reason why it matters].”

Example in UX: “New TTRPG players need a way to quickly grasp the rules because complex mechanics often discourage them from playing.”

3. Ideate: Brainstorming Solutions

This is the creative exploration phase—brainstorming multiple ideas before narrowing them down. Keep it fast, cheap, and easy. Quality comes later. For now, just give yourself permission to create. Techniques include:

• Mind mapping to connect concepts
• Sketching wireframes for UI or character sheets
• Crazy 8s (eight ideas in eight minutes) for rapid ideation

Example in Game Design: For a rules-lite RPG, you might explore solutions like visual rule summaries, quick-start guides, or tutorial adventures.

4. Prototype: Bringing Ideas to Life

A prototype is a low-cost, simplified version of your solution—something tangible you can test and refine. Don’t worry about coding a whole fancy game. A prototype can be a pencil sketch, or made from modeling clay.

• UI designers create wireframes or clickable prototypes
• Game designers craft one-page rules or character sheets
• Writers draft sample scenes or plot summaries

Example in Product Design: If refining a TTRPG adventure layout, create a rough digital prototype in Adobe InDesign or Affinity Publisher before committing to a polished version.

5. Test: Refining Through Feedback

Prototypes are tested with real users to validate assumptions and uncover flaws. For new designers, this may mean facing your biggest fear: talking to people. But the insights you learn will make you a better designer. Testing methods include:

• User playtests (for games)
• Usability testing (for UI/UX projects)
• Feedback surveys (for general design work)

Example in TTRPG Design: Run a session with players using a new rulebook layout—observe where they hesitate, what they reference the most, and adjust accordingly.

Why the EDIPT Model Works

✅ User-Centered – Keeps the focus on real people, not just abstract ideas.
✅ Iterative – Encourages refinement, ensuring the best possible solution.
✅ Flexible – Works across industries: UX design, game development, marketing, and more.

Final Thoughts: The Importance of Design Thinking

Understanding the EDIPT model transforms the way you approach problems, generate ideas, and refine designs. Whether crafting a digital interface or creating a new RPG system, following this five-step process ensures better outcomes, happier users, and more effective solutions.