Lausnarhönnun

lausnarhönnun is an Icelandic term for solution design, a design approach that emphasizes developing effective, user-centered solutions to complex problems. The word is formed from lausn (solution) and hönnun (design). In Icelandic design discourse, lausnarhönnun denotes both the mindset and the set of methods used to frame problems, explore alternatives, and implement results that meet user needs while considering feasibility, viability, and sustainability.

Core principles include a focus on end users, stakeholder collaboration across disciplines, iterative development, and a bias toward testing ideas in real-world contexts. The process typically follows cycles of problem framing, user research, ideation, concept development, prototyping, and evaluation, with continuous refinement based on feedback. Teams often employ design thinking, service design, co-design, and rapid prototyping to reduce risk and improve adoption.

Applications span digital services, product design, and public-sector innovation, as well as urban planning and education. Lausnarhönnun aims to align technical possibilities with social value, ensuring solutions are accessible, inclusive, and scalable.

Critics argue that the approach can be time-consuming or resource-intensive and that success depends on organizational readiness and clear governance. Proponents counter that early user involvement and iterative learning reduce costly mistakes later. Lausnarhönnun is often discussed alongside related disciplines such as user-centered design, design thinking, and service design, and it is used in both private and public sectors in Iceland and the Nordic region.