Affinity sorting

Affinity sorting

What it is

Affinity sorting is basically the sorting of a huge amount of information, usually split on sticky notes (digital or physical). The sorting is done without thinking of the categories at first, but the categories slowly reveal themselves as you sort each sticky note after the other.

It's a great way to go from overwhelming information to clarity. And it works even to get you out of a panic moment when your wife tells you: "I'm pregnant". In fact I've used that method with my wife to sort all the thoughts, fears, tasks we had in our minds into a clear plan. And yes this helped us remember that health insurance is an important thing, so thanks affinity sorting for that!

Resources to go further

  • Definition: a longer and personal definition of affinity sorting

  • Video: an introduction on affinity sorting and what makes it different from the usual categorization

  • Guide: A step by step guide with timing to run an affinity sorting session written by the Nielsen Norman Group

  • Video: A 5 minute video by the Nielsen Norman Group that shows how affinity sorting is done in a workshop format

An introduction to Design Methods

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  • Welcome to this tiny course

My favorite design methods

  • Introduction
  • Interviews
  • Workshops
  • Solo brainstorming in group with prompts
  • Fast idea generator
  • Affinity sorting
  • Dot voting
  • Service Blueprints
  • Wizard of Oz or Concierge service prototypes
  • Landing page test

Just the right amount of methods and research

  • Introduction
  • Triangulation
  • Saturation
  • Creating a methods mix
  • Frameworks to choose your design methods
  • Going further: articles and books on Lean Research

A ping-pong approach to Design Methods

  • Introduction
  • What I mean with "ping" and what's the problem with it
  • What's the "pong"

Method libraries

  • Introduction
  • This is Service Design Doing's methods library
  • Service Design Tools Methods Library
  • IBM Entreprise Design Thinking Methods Library
  • Google's Design Sprint's Methods Library
  • IDEO Design Kit's Method Library
  • Hyperisland's methods library
  • Design Research Technics's methods library
  • Session Lab Facilitation Techniques Methods Library
  • 18F's Methods Library
  • Mitre Innovation's Methods Library
  • HSLU Spatial Design Students Methods Library
  • Going further: toolboxtoolbox

End and thank you note

  • Thank you note
  • Licence