Design Process Steps to Graphic Design Finding the Right Designer Parameters and problem solving Managing Effective Design Design Blueprint Why Design? Graphic production

Design Process

Steps to Graphic Design

1. Research: Who is the audience? What limitations are present? What is the end goal? Find out what works and modify it for your clients.
2. Thumbnails: Anytime you deal with graphic design you have to have several ideas and that means sketch, sketch, sketch. You don't want to be extremely detailed, that's why you just sketch your ideas out on paper. Then give the client plenty of options (in case they don't like the one you think is the best) in thumbnail form.
3. Roughs - After picking the best thumbnails you need to add a little more detail to test your idea on a larger scale.
4. Comprehensives: This is the piece you select for final approval by the client. This is the near final composition that you have created.
5. Presentation: When you present your final product to the client be enthusiastic about it and "sell" it to the client. But be prepared to compromise with the client if they would like a revision, remember, it is their product.
6. Ready for Press: The final step is preparing it for printing. Making sure printer inks and papers are specified, all links and fonts must be included with the file otherwise it won't look like it did on your computer.

Finding the Right Designer

1. Planning and preliminary negotiations
1. Define the problem
2. Research the market
3. Select the designer
4. Negotiate the contract and budget
5. Establish the schedule
2. Pre-visual research and analysis
1. Profile the client
2. Collect existing materials
3. Research the subject
4. Consult with the client
5. Edit the research
3. Visual conceptualization
1. Brainstorm for ideas
2. Analyze text for meaning
3. Create thumbnail studies
4. Edit thumbnails
4. Comprehensive layouts and presentation
1. Refine thumbnails into roughs
2. Refine roughs into comps (comprehensive layouts)
3. Present comps to client
4. Critique comps and make changes
5. Graphic production and delivery
1. Commission images as needed
2. Assemble text and images
3. Proof artwork and assembly
4. Present proofs for client approval
5. Supervise fabrication and delivery

Parameters and problem solving

Parameters can be defined as boundaries in a design project. They might include budget, client-designated text and images, materials, methods, and timing schedules. They can be seen as either limitations or factors that aid focus for the design project. Graphic designers are essentially called upon to solve “problems” defined by clients, while staying within the defined parameters and using them to their advantage. When designing logos, there are certain parameters that must be kept in mind, as they are produced in both black and white and color, in many sizes, and on many things (stationary, signs, websites, packaging, displays, etc.).

Managing Effective Design

Design is really organization of ideas. When you are creating a certain format for your piece you must consider the audience, the medium that you are printing on and the perspective. Humans view the world perpendicular to the ground and this orientation effects many of the designs that we see in the world around us. Our eyes see somewhat of an oval shape but what we see in height, we see double the length in width. This is why many movies are made in widescreen, to give us the feeling that we are really in the film.

When creating a design, try to use a grid system so that the elements can balance and be pleasing to the eye. This type of a system can guide the eye where the designer wants it to go. Placement of objects is another main point to consider. The relationship with an object and the ground or base is critical to how the mind understands the design and if they will capture the general message. Also, making sure that the design is closed so that the viewer is not lead off the page.

Design Blueprint

1. Define the design objective
2. Define the communication objective
3. Define the target audience
4. Research the subject
5. Brainstorm potential ideas
6. Choose the right media and venue
7. Develop a graphic design strategy
8. Evaluate decisions as you go
9. Creative risk taking

Why Design?

Man has two main goals in life: survival and reproduction. The time in between the obtaining of these two goals is where we find the development of art. There are six main steps that all artists use when creating art they are:

1. Idea and Purpose: impulses and emotions that stir us
2. Form: Drawing, book, painting etc.
3. Idiom: subject matter, genre
4. Structure: how to compose it
5. Craft: getting the job done
6. Surface: the finished product

Even though the end is all we see, dedicated artists seriously consider all steps when creating art. Though this doesn’t always determine if the artist will be successful. No “surface” should be the same because the art we create should be what defines us.

Graphic production

Graphic production is the entire design process, from the first ideas to its presentation to the audience. This process involves, but is not limited to computer work. The designer may also be involved with sketching thumbnails and art by hand, photography and its editing, and illustrating. It is important for the designer to have many skills in the production process.

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The strategy to begin the process of graphic design includes determining several key factors:
1. What is the function or purpose of the design?

2. Who is the target audience?

3. What message needs to be communicated? There are 2 levels of meaning:

4. What is the marketplace competition?

5. What is the context?

6. In what voice?

7. What response are you trying to get from the audience?

Next the Design Concept is the underlying thought or reasoning for how you design a piece; the primary idea. It is the framework for all your design decisions.

Solving a Design Problem:
1. Understand the problem.

2. Gather information.

3. Think by sketching (and writing).

4. Choose your best thumbnails and turn them into rough drafts.

5. Choose your best roughs and create comps.

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