A very Happy New Year to everyone once again. I hope you guys are off to a good start to 2010!
As the new year rolls in, i’ll start rolling in what Redspec is all about. Design and the Goodies that come with it. First up, back to basics of being a designer, I’m gonna blab about my Design Process. Hope it refreshes your design mind a lil and have a great time designing this year!
On with the show… 
In our work place, bogged down with tons of work and never ending deadlines, we tend to lose ourselves and the way we work (not to mention the amount of shortcuts we take too). While having a multi-tasking, multi-discplinary skill in a design environment is an added advantage, how often do we skip the design process? Which results in designs being rejected, and never ending amendments.
Most of them ridiculous.
While my methods are not perfect, each time i find myself being sidetracked, i go back to my roots. We all should remember this… Each time we get lost, recall back the fundamentals that has been thought to us. Even if it seems like we’re back in school, there’s nothing like Back to Basics.
Design Brief – How do you approach it?
- Design is a methodology to solve problems. Every brief is an oppurtunity to solve one. By using basics steps, list down the things that need to be solved One by One.
Ie: Fixed requirements, limitations, budget, etc. This will automatically create a framework in which you are going to work in.
BrainStorming Sessions
- The most vital of all. Which most of us fail to do – properly. What may seem unimportant / trivial is what will get us closest to the finish line.
- Spend more time BrainStorming. I do that a lot. A good BrainStorming session should be about 1 hour. 1.5 hours max. Anything after that is just a repetition of the past hour.
- Whether you do it in a group or alone. Do it.
Research Methods
- Watch a movie! I do that to get ideas/inspirations.
- Internet! : It would be ridiculous not to use the internet as ur first tool for research. Social media such as Twitter, Facebook is great for into too.
- Create ur own mockups and do tests. Dont be lazy!
- Approach people who can help you. Nothing beats first hand communication. But be sure to ask the right questions.
How do you prove Ideas that come from your BrainStorming session?
- I do fast sketches, quick rough mock-ups. A whole wall of mindmaps will easily be beaten by a 3d object in front of you.
- Sketches give more dimension to words. Even if its a rough sketch. It works.
Design Development
- Proper Research and Brainstorming would lead you to have development ur findings further. Here you would start to explore ur ideas in 3d softwares. As i use a lot of 3dS max, my sketches are very rough and usually straight into 3d. My design developments methods usually cross between sketching and 3d modelling.
Design Refinement
- This is where the magic happens. Designs are being realize realistically in 3D. You almost see the final product. At this point, junior designers are usually in awe that the renderings are so kick ass they forget to re-evaluate the ‘methodology’ that is supposed to solve the problem. The line between the answer and aesthetics become a little too fine.
- We should have checklist and check them out one-by-one. See if all requirements/problems have been met and solved. And if any improvements can be done about it.
Delivery
- Designers should always be present in delivering the idea to the client. If you let anyone present them for you, its a 50-50. Some points are sure to be missed and you will not be there to explain/defend your work. Its almost like a sitting duck waiting to be shot at.
And so my two cents worth on how i work in the studio. If you have any comments or ideas to add on, please do so.
Laterz!
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