Design Process
Having an eye for color, trend and style are important as a designer. But the skill that is most valuable to a designer and their employer is the ability to understand and efficiently execute the design process. If you don't follow the process correctly you will find yourself backtracking and wasting time.
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I have spent a lot of time during my education learning the design process and understanding how to efficiently build it into my process. However I will admit that I have not been the best at documenting myself throughout the whole process for every project.
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Here is my design process and examples of the steps from various projects.
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STEP 1 - Identify the problem
STEP 2 - Define the problem (Criteria & Constraints)
STEP 3 - Research ideas / Explore possibilities
STEP 4 - Consider alternative solutions
STEP 5 - Select an approach
STEP 6 - Ideation - initial design
STEP 7 - Prototype
STEP 8 - Test and Evaluate
STEP 9 - Refine design or go back to Step 4
STEP 10 - Create the solution
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Here are my examples
STEP #1
Identify the problem
Understand what the problem or project is. Take it to its core, not just the superficial issue.
STEP #2
Define the problem
(Criteria & Constraints)
What is the problem or need?
Who has the problem or need?
What do they want?
What do they like?
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During this phase I like to create my target customer character. A person, I name and use for the rest of my design process.
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I also list the necessities. the "Must haves" of my design
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STEP #3
Research ideas / Explore possibilities
BRAIN DUMP!
Literally just vomit ideas all over paper!
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Sketch ideas - Lists of features and details
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Circle good ideas and strike bad ones!
Come up with a good base design
STEP #4
Consider alternative solutions
Take a day off, stew on your ideas, take a shower, and a nap (idea creation time)
Come back to your lists and sketches and see if you have anything new, better, or different.
STEP #5
Select an approach
Decide on one design,
Keep an open mind, but head in one direction with one design idea as your goal
STEP #6
Ideation - initial design
Take your decided direction and flush it out.
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Outline details, decide on finishes and process,
Detailed sketches and designs
STEP #7
Prototype
MAKE IT!
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Follow your design, but be open to happy accidents.
STEP #8
Test and Evaluate
Fit check!
Try it on, test it out.
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Review your initial criteria and evaluate your proto to make sure it fulfills all your design requirements.
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Make sure its DOPE
STEP #9
Refine design or go back to Step 4
Make any adjustments or alterations!
If your design isn't working out or meeting your criteria, go back to step 4 and try a new direction!
STEP #10
Create the solution
Send it out for production!
Make the final Tech Pack
Create that perfect 1 off!
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