Problem framing is the discipline of defining exactly what problem you are trying to solve before investing time and resources in solutions. It sounds obvious, but most design failures can be traced to the team solving the wrong problem with the right method. Reframing a problem, or simply articulating it more precisely, often reveals that the assumed solution is addressing a symptom while the root cause remains untouched. Getting the frame right is not a preamble to design. It is design.
Problem Framing
Defining the right problem before rushing to solutions
A
Designers Academy
24 June 2026 · 4 min read
UXMethods
In brief
Problem framing is the discipline of precisely defining what problem you are trying to solve before committing time and resources to develop solutions.
