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.

Inspiration from outside

Artists, Designers and the like are all inspired or moved by some ideal to create. But what happens when one has an off day, week, month, or even a year? If you're like me, or any graphic artist, you can't have any off days as income is tied directly to your ability to create.

Artists like Doze Green look to music as a form creative inspiration. The music speaks to him and he translates the beats with his paint brush. Not only does he use music as inspiration, he looks back to his cultural roots for symbols and styles to create.

Even type can inspire a generation of graphic artists. Referring to my previous blog, the font 'Helvetica' created an entire counter-culture to the modernist movement. David Carson, a graphic artist, was one such post-modernist battling the conformity of the modernists. Using free form text, and unconventional fonts to create works that both went against the grain and diverged to help create the grunge movement of the 90's

A great resource for inspiration is http://mashable.com/2009/03/16/design-inspiration/. They have a handfull of website, galleries, and portfolios the look through for inspiration from other artists. Even if you think the life of an artist is a solitude one, your ability can only go so far without learning from others.

Again, check out:

www.dozegreen.com

and

The DVD 'Helvetica'

Helvetica

Since its inception into the designer's toolbox, it has grown to rockstar status. The font is used in almost everything we see today. The U.S. Government uses it on its tax forms, the EPA uses it, signs littering the streets use it, we see it everywhere we go. But how did Helvetica get ingrained into modern society around the world?

According to Hermann Zapf, the font Helvetica became popular with designers because the postwar attitude of idealism and social responsibility. It was just what designers were looking for, something that played with the figure ground relationship that made it functional.

Now almost 60 years since its creation, Helvetica still has a strong group of followers. Notably, Massimo Vignelli who sums up Helvetica as modern type, invented for modern times. And Manuel Krebs, who summed up Helvetica as its own design system. One designs around the type itself, even the layperson can design something just putting Helvetica in bold and typing something.

There hasn't, or at least seemingly hasn't, been a font with so much impact on society in the past 60 years like Helvetica. You can look at Arial and it's simply an adjusted version on Helvetica. The street signs are set to Helvetica. It has become standard, default, it has be come air.

For more on 'Helvetica' check out the DVD “Helvetica”

What is Design? A subjective look at what Design is to me.

So what exactly is 'Design'? The Greeks defined it as a work in progress, the Latin defined it as mark making [as well as the Italian]. Some say it is applied art, while others say it is not art. Well, in this article I will, or at least try to, define what 'Design' is to me.

The reason I chose to study design and art was because the process of making art or designing something is at times very personal. To me design is a way of life, a way of thinking, a journey. Design isn't merely a way to communicate, but rather a field of study which incorporates many other disciplines such as, history, philosophy, mythology, sociology and the like. Looking back at older civilizations, the Chinese blended philosophical text, understanding of law, and aesthetics into a group we now call the scholar-official. For a time China blended the arts, government, and life to create a prosperous society.

Design flows through everyday life, the computer I am writing on was design to be aesthetically please yet functional. Similarly, I make longboards in this same fashion. Using animal forms to create the board, while, still making the board rideable.

So what is design to me? Design is life, a study of everything [or almost everything].

Love what you do, do what you love.

From the turntables...

In the early 70's a new beat emerged from the East Coast of America. Pioneered by people like Grandmaster Flash, and Herbie Hancock, turntablism emrgered. Through the years of its experimentation, it has gathered a large group of followers--with turntables selling more than guitars. With this new creative outlet arose Doze Green, a graffiti artist. While the Dj's spun their records, scratching, mixing and cutting breaks, Green interpreted the beats.

In the world of Dj'ing, many see it as a form of communication between other Dj's and even to other worlds. But to Green the beats were stroke of the paint brush. An original member of the Rock Steady Crew Green was a part of a bigger whole.

From the translation of the Latin 'designare' to mark, Green follows a millennia of artists trying to communicate through brush strokes. Initially, Green started on walls and trains, eventually moving to more traditional formats. But still, his intent remained to communicate.

Green helped to create a new culture within America's rising minority class. His work inspires many young and aspiring graffiti artists as well as traditional artists.

As for my own personal reaction to his work. I feel that it is awe inspiring and his ability to communicate through only his brush strokes and paint is amazing. While he may have had a message in mind when he created the work, in the end it is up to each of us to interpret what he was trying to communicate.

Head to www.dozegreen.com for more information on Doze.