What are "leap-of-faith assumptions" in the design process?

"Leap-of-faith assumptions" refer to the risky assumptions that designers make during the development process when there is insufficient evidence to fully support them. These assumptions represent key uncertainties that, if proven true, could significantly influence the success of a design or business model. The concept emphasizes the need to identify and test these assumptions early on to minimize risk and validate the design choices being made.

In the context of design thinking, acknowledging these assumptions is crucial because they often underpin critical decisions about product features, user needs, or market viability. The nature of these assumptions tends to involve a degree of uncertainty; hence, they are termed "leap-of-faith" since designers must essentially "leap" into the unknown without guaranteed results. Testing these assumptions through user feedback and iterative design is a core part of the design process, allowing teams to pivot or refine their approach based on what they learn. This approach is essential for designing products or services that genuinely meet user needs and are viable in the market.