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
![](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/26b53f_206cd5a74a944925ab88d220a47b845d~mv2_d_2242_1790_s_2.png/v1/fill/w_980,h_782,al_c,q_90,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,enc_avif,quality_auto/26b53f_206cd5a74a944925ab88d220a47b845d~mv2_d_2242_1790_s_2.png)
![](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/26b53f_8cce2fcf1053479bb7885c72afca99e8~mv2_d_2242_1790_s_2.png/v1/fill/w_980,h_782,al_c,q_90,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,enc_avif,quality_auto/26b53f_8cce2fcf1053479bb7885c72afca99e8~mv2_d_2242_1790_s_2.png)
![](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/26b53f_f77bf3666f0c46f9bfb43e386992879a~mv2_d_2242_1790_s_2.png/v1/fill/w_980,h_782,al_c,q_90,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,enc_avif,quality_auto/26b53f_f77bf3666f0c46f9bfb43e386992879a~mv2_d_2242_1790_s_2.png)
![](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/26b53f_206cd5a74a944925ab88d220a47b845d~mv2_d_2242_1790_s_2.png/v1/fill/w_980,h_782,al_c,q_90,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,enc_avif,quality_auto/26b53f_206cd5a74a944925ab88d220a47b845d~mv2_d_2242_1790_s_2.png)
STEP #1
Identify the problem
Understand what the problem or project is. Take it to its core, not just the superficial issue.
![](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/26b53f_1b89399c43a54789a17cae69f6d22ca8~mv2_d_2200_1700_s_2.png/v1/fill/w_980,h_757,al_c,q_90,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,enc_avif,quality_auto/26b53f_1b89399c43a54789a17cae69f6d22ca8~mv2_d_2200_1700_s_2.png)
![](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/26b53f_d75448405a40418fab0a1207cc188886~mv2.png/v1/fill/w_980,h_682,al_c,q_90,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,enc_avif,quality_auto/26b53f_d75448405a40418fab0a1207cc188886~mv2.png)
![](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/26b53f_38080e5d39274ead9b78fb7c3cc7aa93~mv2_d_3400_2200_s_2.png/v1/fill/w_980,h_634,al_c,q_90,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,enc_avif,quality_auto/26b53f_38080e5d39274ead9b78fb7c3cc7aa93~mv2_d_3400_2200_s_2.png)
![](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/26b53f_1b89399c43a54789a17cae69f6d22ca8~mv2_d_2200_1700_s_2.png/v1/fill/w_980,h_757,al_c,q_90,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,enc_avif,quality_auto/26b53f_1b89399c43a54789a17cae69f6d22ca8~mv2_d_2200_1700_s_2.png)
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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![New Iphone pics 1669](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/26b53f_5623716a9b41499abc5be4bd60d6480f~mv2_d_3264_2448_s_4_2.jpg/v1/fill/w_980,h_735,al_c,q_85,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,enc_avif,quality_auto/26b53f_5623716a9b41499abc5be4bd60d6480f~mv2_d_3264_2448_s_4_2.jpg)
![](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/26b53f_57e431ff20dc447a97df5579026f9a14~mv2_d_8192_8192_s_4_2.png/v1/fill/w_980,h_980,al_c,q_90,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,enc_avif,quality_auto/26b53f_57e431ff20dc447a97df5579026f9a14~mv2_d_8192_8192_s_4_2.png)
![](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/26b53f_899024a0e8034f3e8564dbf2c8c77b77~mv2_d_8192_8192_s_4_2.png/v1/fill/w_980,h_980,al_c,q_90,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,enc_avif,quality_auto/26b53f_899024a0e8034f3e8564dbf2c8c77b77~mv2_d_8192_8192_s_4_2.png)
![New Iphone pics 1669](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/26b53f_5623716a9b41499abc5be4bd60d6480f~mv2_d_3264_2448_s_4_2.jpg/v1/fill/w_980,h_735,al_c,q_85,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,enc_avif,quality_auto/26b53f_5623716a9b41499abc5be4bd60d6480f~mv2_d_3264_2448_s_4_2.jpg)
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
![](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/26b53f_6b45c3c3c97d4fa7856d5269b2dfe91d~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_960,h_720,al_c,q_85,enc_avif,quality_auto/26b53f_6b45c3c3c97d4fa7856d5269b2dfe91d~mv2.jpg)
![](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/26b53f_309696bdc7974e13ac90c0bdc09a63f2~mv2_d_1920_1200_s_2.jpeg/v1/fill/w_980,h_613,al_c,q_85,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,enc_avif,quality_auto/26b53f_309696bdc7974e13ac90c0bdc09a63f2~mv2_d_1920_1200_s_2.jpeg)
![](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/26b53f_27ea96cf6afb41ac8ef171e86f90ca3a~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_960,h_639,al_c,q_85,enc_avif,quality_auto/26b53f_27ea96cf6afb41ac8ef171e86f90ca3a~mv2.jpg)
![](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/26b53f_6b45c3c3c97d4fa7856d5269b2dfe91d~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_960,h_720,al_c,q_85,enc_avif,quality_auto/26b53f_6b45c3c3c97d4fa7856d5269b2dfe91d~mv2.jpg)
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.
![](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/26b53f_9efeb1a542f449748eb5f51fb5a2e774~mv2_d_3308_2339_s_2.jpg/v1/fill/w_980,h_693,al_c,q_85,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,enc_avif,quality_auto/26b53f_9efeb1a542f449748eb5f51fb5a2e774~mv2_d_3308_2339_s_2.jpg)
![](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/26b53f_9efeb1a542f449748eb5f51fb5a2e774~mv2_d_3308_2339_s_2.jpg/v1/fill/w_980,h_693,al_c,q_85,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,enc_avif,quality_auto/26b53f_9efeb1a542f449748eb5f51fb5a2e774~mv2_d_3308_2339_s_2.jpg)
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
![](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/26b53f_88594fb84d7041ca80eb1feeafce08eb~mv2_d_2200_1700_s_2.png/v1/fill/w_980,h_757,al_c,q_90,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,enc_avif,quality_auto/26b53f_88594fb84d7041ca80eb1feeafce08eb~mv2_d_2200_1700_s_2.png)
![](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/26b53f_ecd97f5a8d7840ff9febb3ee9abb6ec4~mv2_d_2500_1934_s_2.jpg/v1/fill/w_980,h_758,al_c,q_85,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,enc_avif,quality_auto/26b53f_ecd97f5a8d7840ff9febb3ee9abb6ec4~mv2_d_2500_1934_s_2.jpg)
![](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/26b53f_6d1fc937c992401b91b5031aa8fd5ce0~mv2.png/v1/fill/w_980,h_583,al_c,q_90,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,enc_avif,quality_auto/26b53f_6d1fc937c992401b91b5031aa8fd5ce0~mv2.png)
![](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/26b53f_88594fb84d7041ca80eb1feeafce08eb~mv2_d_2200_1700_s_2.png/v1/fill/w_980,h_757,al_c,q_90,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,enc_avif,quality_auto/26b53f_88594fb84d7041ca80eb1feeafce08eb~mv2_d_2200_1700_s_2.png)
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
![](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/26b53f_5031cd7f794842d887ce22003823d8de~mv2_d_5184_3456_s_4_2.jpg/v1/fill/w_980,h_653,al_c,q_85,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,enc_avif,quality_auto/26b53f_5031cd7f794842d887ce22003823d8de~mv2_d_5184_3456_s_4_2.jpg)
![](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/26b53f_1b5141ed78154e1aaf67411492f49d1c~mv2_d_3000_2250_s_2.jpg/v1/fill/w_980,h_735,al_c,q_85,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,enc_avif,quality_auto/26b53f_1b5141ed78154e1aaf67411492f49d1c~mv2_d_3000_2250_s_2.jpg)
![](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/26b53f_27ee9482f1714afabd5a8a79b7b76e97~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_980,h_735,al_c,q_85,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,enc_avif,quality_auto/26b53f_27ee9482f1714afabd5a8a79b7b76e97~mv2.jpg)
![](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/26b53f_5031cd7f794842d887ce22003823d8de~mv2_d_5184_3456_s_4_2.jpg/v1/fill/w_980,h_653,al_c,q_85,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,enc_avif,quality_auto/26b53f_5031cd7f794842d887ce22003823d8de~mv2_d_5184_3456_s_4_2.jpg)
STEP #7
Prototype
MAKE IT!
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Follow your design, but be open to happy accidents.
![](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/26b53f_6ab2826d9988435b90b12f70638b40b0~mv2_d_5184_3456_s_4_2.jpg/v1/fill/w_980,h_653,al_c,q_85,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,enc_avif,quality_auto/26b53f_6ab2826d9988435b90b12f70638b40b0~mv2_d_5184_3456_s_4_2.jpg)
![](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/26b53f_35dfbe67fced4fe2954bee7ff02bd4d2~mv2_d_2250_3000_s_2.jpg/v1/fill/w_980,h_1307,al_c,q_85,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,enc_avif,quality_auto/26b53f_35dfbe67fced4fe2954bee7ff02bd4d2~mv2_d_2250_3000_s_2.jpg)
![](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/26b53f_fcb4f0400cd64057a2f3baa3112d5432~mv2_d_3456_5184_s_4_2.jpg/v1/fill/w_980,h_1470,al_c,q_85,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,enc_avif,quality_auto/26b53f_fcb4f0400cd64057a2f3baa3112d5432~mv2_d_3456_5184_s_4_2.jpg)
![](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/26b53f_6ab2826d9988435b90b12f70638b40b0~mv2_d_5184_3456_s_4_2.jpg/v1/fill/w_980,h_653,al_c,q_85,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,enc_avif,quality_auto/26b53f_6ab2826d9988435b90b12f70638b40b0~mv2_d_5184_3456_s_4_2.jpg)
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
![](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/26b53f_0c605ad741324c22871cf93c63d30fb2~mv2_d_2562_1790_s_2.png/v1/fill/w_980,h_685,al_c,q_90,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,enc_avif,quality_auto/26b53f_0c605ad741324c22871cf93c63d30fb2~mv2_d_2562_1790_s_2.png)
![](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/26b53f_8c2f5270dabd4d028e7274670eb1558f~mv2_d_3264_2448_s_4_2.jpg/v1/fill/w_980,h_735,al_c,q_85,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,enc_avif,quality_auto/26b53f_8c2f5270dabd4d028e7274670eb1558f~mv2_d_3264_2448_s_4_2.jpg)
![](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/26b53f_0c605ad741324c22871cf93c63d30fb2~mv2_d_2562_1790_s_2.png/v1/fill/w_980,h_685,al_c,q_90,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,enc_avif,quality_auto/26b53f_0c605ad741324c22871cf93c63d30fb2~mv2_d_2562_1790_s_2.png)
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!
![](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/26b53f_bdc8c4c0a7c4490390aeb4fcfb0bf5a1~mv2_d_2250_3000_s_2.jpg/v1/fill/w_980,h_1307,al_c,q_85,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,enc_avif,quality_auto/26b53f_bdc8c4c0a7c4490390aeb4fcfb0bf5a1~mv2_d_2250_3000_s_2.jpg)
![](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/26b53f_05c6ec3299994b3cac629a6c45e45911~mv2_d_2448_3264_s_4_2.jpg/v1/fill/w_980,h_1307,al_c,q_85,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,enc_avif,quality_auto/26b53f_05c6ec3299994b3cac629a6c45e45911~mv2_d_2448_3264_s_4_2.jpg)
![](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/26b53f_6d5191c951584917aacdd8ec5747514b~mv2_d_5184_3456_s_4_2.jpg/v1/fill/w_980,h_653,al_c,q_85,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,enc_avif,quality_auto/26b53f_6d5191c951584917aacdd8ec5747514b~mv2_d_5184_3456_s_4_2.jpg)
![](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/26b53f_bdc8c4c0a7c4490390aeb4fcfb0bf5a1~mv2_d_2250_3000_s_2.jpg/v1/fill/w_980,h_1307,al_c,q_85,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,enc_avif,quality_auto/26b53f_bdc8c4c0a7c4490390aeb4fcfb0bf5a1~mv2_d_2250_3000_s_2.jpg)
STEP #10
Create the solution
Send it out for production!
Make the final Tech Pack
Create that perfect 1 off!
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