Persona
Template and Instructions
Hard Facts
- Working Model: discover
- Importance: 4/5
- Workload: 2 hours
Why
You are not your future customer. But you can change your perspective and develop empathy for your customer by seeing the world through his eyes with the help of a Persona.
How
First, create a profile for your customer including a name, job description and demographic background. Then, define the problems, needs and profit-creators of your Persona. Ask yourself which of them you want to solve or create. In the next step, define your Persona’s beliefs and values: What is your Persona’s opinion on a certain topic? How does she feel? Lastly, derive your products’ solutions from your early findings.
What
The Persona is a composed character that combines your knowledge and assumptions about the target customer. These assumptions will be tested afterwards to hone the profile of your Persona and, thus, your customer.
Tips from w_39
- Focus on the important parts, like the needs and pains of your Persona and not on hair colour and hobbies.
- In most cases, you have more than one Persona. But don‘t create too many of them. Remember: Less is more.
- Print out your Persona and keep it next to your desk or in your project room as a constant reminder for whom you are doing your project.

Value Adds
Deep Dive in the World of Innovation
Persona
(Board of Innovation)
Design Thinking Tool #9 | Persona Canvas
(The Argonauts)
Design A Better Business
Patrick Van Der Pijl
Justin Lokitz
Lisa Kay Solomon
Erik van der Pluijm
Maarten van Lieshout
Digital Innovation Playbook
Dark Horse Innovation
Business design playbook
Board of Innovation