What are the methods in the LUMA System?

The LUMA System of Innovation is a set of human-centered design methods that create a shared language for innovation.

There are 36 methods in the LUMA System, organized into three key design skills: Looking, Understanding, and Making.

The Looking category has methods for observing the human experience. This category is divided into three subcategories:

Ethnographic Research

• Interviewing
• Fly-on-the-Wall Observation
• Contextual Inquiry
• Walk-a-Mile Immersion

Participatory Research

• What’s on Your Radar
• Buy a Feature
• Build Your Own
• Journaling

Evaluative Research

• Think-Aloud Testing
• Heuristic Review
• Critique
• System Usability Scale

The Understanding category has methods for analyzing challenges & opportunities. This category is divided into three subcategories:

People & Systems

• Stakeholder Mapping
• Persona Profile
• Experience Diagramming
• Concept Mapping

Patterns & Priorities

• Affinity Clustering
• Bull’s-eye Diagramming
• Importance/Difficulty Matrix
• Visualize the Vote

Problem Framing

• Problem Tree Analysis
• Statement Starters
• Abstraction Laddering
• Rose, Thorn, Bud

The Making category has methods for envisioning future possibilities. This category is divided into three subcategories:

Concept Ideation

• Thumbnail Sketching
• Creative Matrix
• Round Robin
• Alternative Worlds

Modeling & Prototyping

• Storyboarding
• Schematic Diagramming
• Rough & Ready Prototyping
• Appearance Modeling

Design Rationale

• Concept Poster
• Video Scenario
• Cover Story Mock-up
• Quick Reference Guide