The only means to achieving great results is through clearly defined and rigorous plans that precede the production of a design and these plans form the framework of the design. Looking at armature in sculpture, it is the framework that gives absolute support to any produced sculptural piece and without it, a piece cannot stand.
The meaning of design varies due to the fact that design is used in many terms and areas to refer to a lot of things. It is a verb and a noun hence it might be a bit complex to define but within a given context, it can be properly explained. In this article, the focus is on design as any product in either digital or physical form that helps communicate to a target group as well as help to solve a problem. The aim of the design is to solve problems and better the lives of people.
A young graduate from a polytechnic with a Business Diploma Certification started working in a company but unfortunately, she lost her job and had to return home. With all the frustration, fear and uncertainties of how she would be able to survive, she began an entrepreneurship venture by producing groundnut paste, popcorn and some nice soft drinks. Immediately she began the business, the services of a designer were needed to help in branding the products, packagin,g and advertising designs. This helped to make her products stand out and the business rose with great speed and growth and continues to experience growth. The secret was not really the products but the voice of the design that was speaking for the products and it wouldn't have been so without the DESIGN PROCESS.
What you should expect;
- Definition of the design planning or design process.
- Processes involved in the design process
- Practical use of the design process
- How design planning improves effectiveness
What is the design process or design planning?
It refers to clearly defined and set-down procedures undertaken by a designer from the initial stage of identifying a problem to the stage where a solution is produced to solve the problem.
Designers create a myriad of design products that are able to solve problems clients confront them with. Design is a very creative and innovative process that requires fresh or purposefully thought-through ideas to address a problem. This is why for every design work, the designer must go through the process to be able to come out with an effective design.
The design process
Empathy(Problem identification)
↓
Research
↓
Ideation(idea development)
↓
Prototype
↓
Final Product
In some research works or publications, the design process can be more than five(5) because there are subtle stages between the major stages. It might be to add more detail but it is all the same.
Empathy(Problem identification)
This is the start of the design process which involves empathizing to know what really is the problem or work at hand that needs a solution. No designer, who wants to create a logo for a company for instance will neglect or ignore to ask the client some of these questions:
What is the company name?
What does the company do?
What are the company colors among other vitals?
The stage where the problem is well understood.
Research
Here, thorough research is carried out through every appropriate and effective means by the designer to find out about similar solutions that might be available. The research component offers the opportunity to study many solutions worth observation to better inform the design to be made.
Ideation(idea development)
One thing that differentiates design from art is that design is very objective whilst art in many instances is subjective to the artist. After reviewing similar solutions in the research stage, many ideas begin to spring up and this is where preliminary sketches or drawings are done as a way of keeping the ideas from escaping and these drawings are modified into final sketch ideas for referencing.
Prototype
After the process of ideation where a potent design has been realized, a prototype of the final design is then constructed or made with a mostly simple combination of materials. The prototype is not the final work hence, it is subject to review, correction, and modification which improves upon it. This is the stage where the reality of the ideas generated begins to show.
Final Product
The design or design product is now ready and it is an effective one because many preparations and planning have gone into it. The final product or design now solves the problem for which it has been made due to careful application and use of the design process. We encourage everyone to use the design process to see the effectiveness it results in.
Practical example and use of design process
The design process can take any duration depending on the person involved and his experience in design. Some experienced designers will go through the process without even knowing because the process has become part of them but newbies might spend a long time on it though and there is nothing wrong with it.
Problem) A new festival has been inaugurated in town and the chief of the town wants a designer to help give a unique identity to the festival and also help to inform the general people of the town about it.
A practical way of applying the design process demands that we go through the design process stages one after the other.
Empathy(Problem identification)
The problem to be solved is to help give a unique identity to the newly inaugurated festival that will represent the town appropriately. Creation of designs that will make people of the town and beyond know everything they must know about the festival and also convince them why they must be part of the festival celebration.
Research
I now have to look out for similar solutions to a problem like this on the internet, ask and review the works of other designers which will better inform me on how exactly the work must be. I also have to research more to know about the target audience talking about their visual literacy, age, population, etc. in order to develop a value proposition for the design that will make it able to reach the audience. Research into the means of solving the problem maybe like poster designs, billboards, T-shirts, branding some products, creating booklets, media advertisements like video and audio, inquiry into tools and materials needed for the project, and also research about the cost of production.
Ideation or idea development
I have a detailed knowledge and understanding of the problem now and also the best approach to effectively design a solution. It is now time to develop creative ideas of my own from the similar solutions reviewed and my own creative and unique ideas. Copying exactly what someone has already done is very wrong and unprofessional so I have to remain unique but can derive inspiration from the research conducted. I also do sketches at this stage.
Prototype
Now for any final idea obtained, a prototype is needed which if possible I will do with low-quality materials. If it is the t-shirts, posters, branded products, etc a prototype design will be made at a very reduced cost to see how the envisioned final product will be.
Final design
The prototype if it meets the requirement and has the capability is then developed into the final product using the right quality of materials.
How the design planning improves productivity and effectiveness
- Saves time - "If I only have an hour to chop down a tree, I would spend the first 45 minutes sharpening my axe". Abraham Lincoln- src:amtshows.com
To speed up the production process and save time, it is very important to pass through the stages because they help work faster.
Due to the design process, a designer is able to estimate the cost that must be involved in designing a solution and this helps to prevent incurring any losses. Without a thing like this, losses will be incurred and allocated resources might not be enough but these issues are resolved with design process. - Helps make a successful design
The planning process assures both the designer and client of a successful product so that they both stay optimistic and expect the best results. - Helps to document the process.
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