The Design Process  A systematic problem-solving strategy, with criteria and constraints, used to develop many possible solutions to solve a problem or satisfy human needs and wants and to narrow down the possible solutions to one final choice.

Practice the Rule of Thumb: Form Follows Function  Begin the Design Process by asking the following questions: –Who is the target audience and what are their expectations? –Is the piece supposed to sell a tangible product or an idea? –Is it to develop goodwill, create branding, or public awareness about a company, an event, an issue?

Questions Cont…. –What is the budget for this project? What quantity of this piece is needed? –How will this project be distributed - by mail, door-to-door, in person, as part of a magazine, newsletter, newspaper, or book? –What action is the recipient likely to take with the piece - throw it away, stick on the wall, file for reference, pass it around, fax it around, put it on a shelf? –What elements are required by the client - specific colors, specific fonts, specific images, a certain printer?

Step 1: Design Process  Identify the Problem -Understand what you need to design and what you are producing and what problem you are trying to solve..

Step 2: Design Process  Brainstorm Come up with as many ideas as you possibly can for design solutions. Rules of Brainstorming: No Criticism Allowed Piling on welcome Quantity not quality Wild ideas welcome

Step 3: Design Process  Collect Data- Analyze the needs based on form and function. Consider Function: What does it do? How does it work? Who will use the object? Where will it be used? Consider Form: What competition will this product or object face? Who is your target audience? Think about aesthetics or appearance.

Now, Step 3: Design Process  Research –Find any and all existing solutions –Find historical references to your Design Simply Put Examine what is out there

Step 4: Design Process  Preliminary Design / Thumbnail Sketching Use descriptions and thumbnail sketches to communicate your ideas. Explore all possibilities.

Step 5: Design Process  Select an Approach and Develop a Design Proposal From all prior data gathered, you will select the solution that best satisfies the problem and after the solution is chosen, you will develop a design proposal which states specifically what you plan on doing

Step 6: Design Process  Final Drawings or Annotated Drawings and Models or Prototype Express the final design idea in an annotated drawing and develop an actual prototype to express your solution.

Concepts to Know  Mock-up  Prototype  Model  Annotated Drawing  Decision Making Matrix

Step 7: Design Process  Test and Modify Design Test your design based on your model, mock-up, prototype, or drawing. Refine: Correct any problems or areas of concern, adjust drawings and model from prior step. Once solution works completely continue with the Process.

Step 8: Design Process  Marketing and Sales/ Final Presentation/ Field Testing/ Mass Production Prepare a presentation to sell or present your design solution. Take prototype to market and test it getting feedback as to adjustments needed. Once perfected bring to market place.

What is a Design Brief?  Client Company:  Client Company:  Target Consumer:  Target Consumer:  Problem Statement: (rationale)  Problem Statement: (rationale)  Design Statement:  Design Statement:  Constraints: (limitations)  Constraints: (limitations) A design brief includes the following information. This information will guide you in the design of your product.

 This Design Process is used to outline and develop every design project that we will complete.  Using this design process helps you, the designer, stay focused and develop a well thought out idea.