Research
The design research includes as many topics as needed for design development. It all starts with gaining a picture of the industry and the market, and then to more detailed sections.
Usually research explore ergonomics, competitor products and brands, head-to-head feature comparisons, silhouettes, CMF, details, visual styling and impression.
The design research also includes working with user feedback and market numbers if available. It is an exciting part of the overall process because even when most of the research stages are similar from project to project, exact scope, market and business needs tune the research.
Good design research should provide answers to “why” and “what” we design in the beginning and during the process.
The design research also includes working with user feedback and market numbers if available. It is an exciting part of the overall process because even when most of the research stages are similar from project to project, exact scope, market and business needs tune the research.
Good design research should provide answers to “why” and “what” we design in the beginning and during the process.
Design
The main ingredient in project development is the design process. Using all available and generated information designer go into an iterative process like Double Diamond or Design Squiggle.
At certain stages the progress is presented to the client for feedback and decisions. The process continues until design goals are met.
While in general the design process is the same from project to project, just like with the research, exact circumstances tune the design process heavily.
The design also may include creative supervision at the stage of production preparation and refinement to help maintain attributes and appearance.
While in general the design process is the same from project to project, just like with the research, exact circumstances tune the design process heavily.
The design also may include creative supervision at the stage of production preparation and refinement to help maintain attributes and appearance.
Trends
Measurement tools, but also derived from almost anything that happens to humanity, nature, products. A separate thing to discover. And trends can be highlighted on a very different scale.
My trendspotting process is a blend of numerical and empiric approaches, in each project I go from the very least - generating a picture of what the industry trends are now and may be, to full analytics, reports, forecasts, and everything in between. At times trends are not the vital part of the design given the scope of the project or target market. But I am still generating a picture of current global and local trends in major areas, which helps on every design stage. Through the last 4-5 years of experience I’ve developed the complete trendwatching system, which I am using for the projects if needed.
Visuals
Typically 99 percent of the projects I am working on do need great visuals to go with them. Those pictures, presentations and sketches produced in between the process and at the end of the process. The visuals are not only the way of making a nice first impression for the project but also a powerful way of checking details and effects, evaluate design and CMF. Even the VR (Virtual Reality) may be used to test true-to-life digital prototypes of products.