Power Of The Design Process! TASK 1.3

Design Process

Design isn't just about creating something and hoping for the best. It's more than that; it can be a fast and slow process. Having a plan, a system, or a process to follow is crucial. It provides structure and helps you get started. So, you don’t spend your time looking at a blank page and not knowing what to do.

Analysis

Whenever you're working on something new, like a project for your course, there's always a brief. You need to understand what the course criteria require before you begin designing. Start by reading the brief carefully and taking notes. It often includes the deadline and sometimes the project's size, but not always. If the size isn't specified, you'll need to decide what settings and dimensions to use. For example, if you're designing a business card, you should know its size.

Research

This is where you start gathering ideas for your final design. Research can take a short or long time, depending on the project. You can use primary and secondary research methods to find ideas. It's essential for any designer, even if you think you have great ideas in your head. Researching what your competitors are doing can give you insights to include in your design.

Initial Ideas

This is where your creative process begins. Take the research you've done and start generating ideas. A helpful approach is to sketch your ideas on paper. Some of your ideas might not be great, but it's better to get them on paper to avoid wasting time during the design phase. You can choose to make this process lengthy or quick. At the end of this phase, you can scan your sketches and transfer them to illustration software, like Adobe Illustrator.

Idea Development

Once you have many of your ideas on paper, you should improve upon them and identify which ones have the potential to become useful designs. This is also a good stage to seek feedback from your client if possible. They can help decide which designs they like and whether they want you to develop them further. If you struggle with coming up with ideas, don't hesitate to go back to the research phase. In design, there isn't a strict step-by-step process. If you're unsure about what to do, step back and ensure you've mastered the previous steps.

Idea Finalization

With your ideas on paper, it's time to develop them. For instance, start tracing your sketched designs and improve them by creating logos, t-shirt designs, mock-ups, and much more. Don't just create one design; try to use as many of your sketches as possible. This way, you can decide which one has the most potential. If you're struggling to create something, you can ask people around you for more ideas or return to the research phase to find inspiration.

Production

Once you've created the designs and visualisations, it's time to present them to your potential clients. Share your work with those around you to gather feedback that can help you improve your work.

Evaluation

After the design phase, it's time for evaluation. Check if your design aligns with the expectations laid out in the brief. You may need to go through the design and make revisions if necessary. This is the last step before finalising your design. Review the brief again and see where you can make improvements and implement changes.