Wednesday, October 14, 2009

The Design Process [as I learned it

Whether we like it or not everything around us was created or designed by someone. The keyboard I am typing on, the screen you are reading this on and even the mouse pad (if you have one) was designed by someone trying to solve a problem—combining functionality with aesthetics.

Generally, that is how design begins; finding a solution to a problem. Once the problem has been identified, research is done, if commissioned by a client then identifying their goals, budget and so on. Next the 'Ideation' stage or prelim sketches are created by using the information gathered in the research stage. When these are completed review and critique of the sketches are done and revised with the feedback receive. Generally, one should take a rest between this period and the next as to rest one's eyes and possibly bring fresh ideas to the table.

The next two steps in the design process are the comprehensives and implementation of the final copy. The comprehensive stage is similar to the prelim sketches, but in this stage sketches are enlarged to print size and critiqued. With the new data, we move to the final stage of production.

This is the ideal process of design, generally, the real world will have a more circular process as apposed to the linear process above. In the circular model, there are still seven stages but an anyone point, one may have to restart at research or prelim sketches. This is sounds more reasonable as there will be constant input from clients and even one's own self.

All of this is to ensure that the final product is, in fact, functional while still holding aesthetic values [either for the client or the designer]. Critique only serves to better designers' ability to do so.

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