The design process involves taking a number of ordered steps; design processes and production processes; to create a designed solution that considers social, cultural and environmental factors.
Brief – investigating, defining and empathising
- Research – gather information about the company/business/entity for which you are designing.
- Collaborating - communicate with the client, ask questions. Empathise.
- Define requirements – what does the client want to communicate and achieve? Identify the goal.
Designing – innovation and creativity
- Use research and information gathered to direct design ideas.
- Initial brainstorming and thumbnail sketching of ideas.
- Develop best ideas as more detailed sketches.
- Experiment with media and technological tools, establish what methods will best lead to final resolution of design.
- Consider all applications of design (eg. Posters, merchandise, website, etc.)
- Seek feedback from client on design ideas.
- More sketching of ideas if needed based on feedback.
Producing and implementing – prototype/resolution and presentation
- Finalise your ideas and create/render designs.
- Mock-up designs as relevant applications (eg, if it’s a poster, print it at poster size. If it’s a CD cover, print the design at the correct size and present in a CD case.)
- Seek feedback from client on designs.
- Make changes where needed based on feedback.
Justifying and evaluating
- Justification of final design solutions. Explain why you made designs decisions and how your design communicates what was intended to the intended audience.
- Self-evaluation - measuring your performance against established criteria.
