Design Process

For the first session we came together in pairs and broke down the crucial elements of a general design process. This session was to help us define the key points of design process' and also how each individual has a different method to working, therefore there is no correct step by step guidelines on how to complete your practice. 
The most obvious elements within design practice consist of: 

• research, primary and secondary
• crits and feedback
• thumbnail design
• sketches
• refined ideas and design

In pairs me and Ellie created a mind map of the most obvious stages within a general design process, including the most significant parts.

From this we were then asked to develop these mind maps individually to a more personal process. This shows a flow chart style format of the design process which I usually find myself repeating during my practice. Research is a key element, and it is not only where I would start the process, the research needs to be consistent throughout the whole brief. Within the research, both primary and secondary are important, and also looking at existing designers work and products. This chart shows how the research develops into a more refined body of research then onto initial ideas which can include my own sketches, visual representations and generally getting my first ideas down onto paper. Feedback from group crits are very important within the design process, as other peoples opinions can provide a reliable structure for your own practice. It is important to take on board other peoples comments and try to experiment with the ideas they have given you to help improve your work. Once you have come to a conclusion with your work and are confident this will be your final outcome, it is still important to get more feedback to find out if there are any minor alterations that may be needed.