DEFINE
Define the Problem
Design is all about problem solving.
For example:
As a Graphic Designer you're approached by a client whose business isn't going so well, so they need you to help solve this problem by revitalising their brand through the development of a new logo.
Or as an Architect you're client may be a school and they need you to solve the problem of designing a new school kitchen with cafeteria that seats 300 students.
A client hires you as a designer to solve their problems.
However, you can't find a solution, until you can spell out what the problem is, this can be identified through the brief.
Design Brief
Although every creative project is unique, whether large or small, complicated or simple, each one requires a brief. Before any work can be commenced we need to confirm the parameters, goals and restrictions.
Traditionally, briefs have varied in format, from casual discussions or napkin-sketches, to detailed e-mails. But in our experience the best briefs are the ones that provide us with certain key pieces of information. The guide below will prompt you to provide the most useful pieces of information, whether the answers are short or long or ‘not applicable’, and will enable us to begin finding a solution to your communication challenge.
Please also remember, the more information you provide, the more thorough our thinking can be and hopefully the better our solution will be.
Design is all about problem solving.
For example:
As a Graphic Designer you're approached by a client whose business isn't going so well, so they need you to help solve this problem by revitalising their brand through the development of a new logo.
Or as an Architect you're client may be a school and they need you to solve the problem of designing a new school kitchen with cafeteria that seats 300 students.
A client hires you as a designer to solve their problems.
However, you can't find a solution, until you can spell out what the problem is, this can be identified through the brief.
Design Brief
Although every creative project is unique, whether large or small, complicated or simple, each one requires a brief. Before any work can be commenced we need to confirm the parameters, goals and restrictions.
Traditionally, briefs have varied in format, from casual discussions or napkin-sketches, to detailed e-mails. But in our experience the best briefs are the ones that provide us with certain key pieces of information. The guide below will prompt you to provide the most useful pieces of information, whether the answers are short or long or ‘not applicable’, and will enable us to begin finding a solution to your communication challenge.
Please also remember, the more information you provide, the more thorough our thinking can be and hopefully the better our solution will be.
design_brief.docx | |
File Size: | 12 kb |
File Type: | docx |
Influence Map
The influence map helps you identify the aesthetic employed by your competitors. It will also help you identify how to create a particular style.
Fill these squares with examples of designs that influences and inspires you. Depending on the scope of the problem you are trying to solve, multiple influence maps may be required.
Once you've filled it out provide an overview at the bottom of the page discussing some of the common visual elements you've identified. It's also helpful to identify some of the logos that you particularly like.
The influence map helps you identify the aesthetic employed by your competitors. It will also help you identify how to create a particular style.
Fill these squares with examples of designs that influences and inspires you. Depending on the scope of the problem you are trying to solve, multiple influence maps may be required.
Once you've filled it out provide an overview at the bottom of the page discussing some of the common visual elements you've identified. It's also helpful to identify some of the logos that you particularly like.
Analysis
Having provided an overview of the common visual characteristics of the chosen concept designs, it is important that you now examine some of these in greater detail.
ANALYSING CREATURES
1. First Impressions: What are the creatures F.A.C.T.S? 2. Describe: What visual elements does this use to communicate it's function? 1. Shape Language 2. Pose 3. Palette What style of illustration is it?
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3. Analyse:
What is the target audience for this design?
Is it an anthropomorphic creature? 4. Interpret:
What is the design communicating? 5. Evaluate: Is the design aesthetically pleasing and does it successfully communicate the creatures' personality? |
Mind Maps
Now that you have a good idea of what makes a successful logo, it's time to define how you plan to generate your own. Use topic outlined in your brief as your starting point, branch off into the following themes: Form and Function/Archetype/Characteristics/Tools. While there are no wrong answers here, it is CRUCIAL that you explore a very broad range of possible solutions. The more the better. Similar to your Influence Map, multiple Mind Maps may be required.
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Reference Map
By now you should have an idea of what direction you want to take. To make informed decisions about the anatomical features of your character, a reference map is a very useful tool. Take some of the key terms from your Mind Map and fill these squares with examples of reference images that you can draw upon, don't choose images indiscriminately, choose images that are relevant to your own creation. You shouldn't have made any definitive decisions yet, so be sure to include a number of possible options
Depending on the scope of the problem you are trying to solve, multiple reference maps may be required.
Once you've filled it out provide an overview at the bottom of the page discussing how helpful some of these images might be to your own concepts.
Depending on the scope of the problem you are trying to solve, multiple reference maps may be required.
Once you've filled it out provide an overview at the bottom of the page discussing how helpful some of these images might be to your own concepts.
Overview
Finally you'll need to wrap up this stage of the process.
Look over the various elements of this process and discuss how you will now proceed.
What themes will you take forward?
What style to you hope to achieve?
What images/designers are you most influenced by?
Once you have finished this, you are ready to start designing!!
Look over the various elements of this process and discuss how you will now proceed.
What themes will you take forward?
What style to you hope to achieve?
What images/designers are you most influenced by?
Once you have finished this, you are ready to start designing!!