Digital Health Co-Design
Methods
Methods
Here, we use the Double Diamond framework to organise a wide range of evidence-based co-design methods used in digital health research. The Double Diamond follows four phases – Discover, Define, Develop, and Deliver – showing how design moves from exploring a problem to generating and testing solutions.
👉 You can watch a short animated video for an introduction to the Double Diamond framework for innovation (UK Design Council, 2025).
By mapping methods onto each phase of co-design, we want to make it easier for you to find methods that are most relevant to your current stage of design. Whether you are just beginning to explore user needs or moving towards implementing and evaluating solutions, the Double Diamond provides a clear structure to guide your choices.
Discover
The first phase of the Double Diamond is called Discover. This helps people understand, rather than simply assume, what the problem is. It involves speaking to and spending time with people who are affected by the issues. Evidence-based methods used in this co-design phase to create digital health products and services include:
• Cultural Probes
• Empathy Mapping
• Focus Group
• Interview
• Journey Mapping
• Literature Review
Define
This phase of the Double Diamond is used to take insights gathered from the discover phase to define the problem or challenge in a more refined and focused way. Evidence-based methods used in this co-design phase to create digital health products and services include:
Develop
The Develop phase of the Double Diamond is used to create a number of prototypes of a solution based on insights gathered from the discover and define phase and identify the most suitable one to take forward. Evidence-based methods used in this co-design phase to create digital health products and services include:
• Workshop
Deliver
The the last phase of the Double Diamond the final solution created in the develop phase is introduced into a real-world setting with end users and evaluated to make any necessary changes. Evidence-based methods used in this co-design phase to create digital health products and services include:
