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The Design Method: A Philosophy and Process for Functional Visual Communication

by Eric Karjaluoto

August 2013

Beginner

240 pages

6h 17m

English

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Understanding the MythsMyth: Design Is Art’s CousinMyth: Originality ExistsMyth: Different Is GoodMyth: You Must Seek InspirationMyth: Brilliance MattersMyth: Design Is a LifestyleMyth: Personal Voice Is KeyMyth: Designers Are Smarter than Their ClientsMyth: Designers Are the AudienceMyth: Awards CountMyth: Creative People Needn’t Play by the RulesMyths Have a PriceUp Next
A Utilitarian PursuitForm Follows FunctionRestrain YourselfLook for ProblemsOwn the RoleEschew AmbiguityCreate OrderMake Design that WorksAchieve SuitabilityUncover PossibilityDesign Is EverywhereUp Next
Thinking in SystemsDesign Gets MessyReckless Decisions Come at a PriceTrends Are Your EnemySystems Inform DesignYou Face Many QuestionsDetermining Relationships in a Design SystemLearning from Interaction DesignOrganizing InformationThinking About Visuals in SystemsLiberate YourselfSystems Lead to Good DesignUp Next

Presenting The Design MethodThe Fundamental Stages of The Design MethodHow The Design Method Came to BeThe Method as a FunnelOnly One Concept (or Design Direction)The Design Method WorksDesign Methodology in Increasingly Varied SettingsUp Next
Discovery is About KnowledgeEntering Foreign TerritoryAssume You’re WrongStart Asking QuestionsGet a Handle on the BasicsGet Firsthand KnowledgeSet Up Discussion Sessions with Clients and StakeholdersFind Underlying ProblemsIdentify the AudienceInterview Customers and UsersRecognize the Discrepancy Between What People Say and DoSurvey the CompetitionExamine Parallel OfferingsAudit the Current StateBatten Down the DetailsAlways Seek Out OpportunityKeep Turning Over RocksUp Next
Design is a PlanCreating a Sensible PlanEstablishing Goals and ObjectivesDetermining StrategyPlaying HunchesShaping Your PlanPlanning for InteractionDeveloping PersonasScenarios, User Stories, and Use CasesFlowcharting ActionsPlanning a SitemapDeveloping a Content InventoryBuilding WireframesDetermining Content StrategyRecognizing the Traps of Shadow PlanningChallenging Approaches and BeliefsMaking RecommendationsCrafting the Creative BriefPreparing DocumentationKeeping Your Design Project MovingUp Next
“Oh Yes Indeed, It’s Fun Time...”The Creative ConundrumBeing a Methodical DesignerSome Key Principles for Developing Creative WorkConsidering ToneHow to Generate IdeasGenerating Ideas and Breaking Creative BlocksEditing Your IdeasDocumenting the Creative ConceptCreative EvaluationDetermining Design Direction with Style BoardsFostering a Collaborative ProcessGetting Buy-in from Your ClientUp Next
Applying Your Creative DirectionIteration: A Process of RefinementBuilding PrototypesGetting Around ObstaclesUsing Placeholder and Actual ContentDetermining the DNAShowing Prototypes to Your ClientTesting Your Approach and PrototypesAnalyzing Test ResultsRefining Your Work ContinuallyProducing Your DesignKeep an Eye on the BriefGet Nervous about Pesky LogisticsPrepare Checklists and Track IssuesCatching Mistakes Before Going LiveGetting Ready to ShipUp Next
Managing Client Interaction for SuccessMoving Beyond Name CallingYour Client’s RealityCommunicate Well (and Perhaps Excessively)Involve the Decision MakersDefining RolesEdit for Your ClientsPreparing for Your PresentationSkip the “Thrilling” UnveilHow to Lead a PresentationStemming Prejudgment of Creative WorkPresenting Creative Work to Large OrganizationsDocumenting Planning, Ideas, and DesignUp Next
Are You a Professional or Hobbyist?Find Order in All Aspects of Your ProfessionDefine Procedural SystemsReplicate Successful ProceduresMeetings and HuddlesBall in Play WorkflowEssential Tools and TechniquesKeep “Shipping”Achieving Mastery

Content preview from The Design Method: A Philosophy and Process for Functional Visual Communication

Chapter 2. Creating Purposeful Design

As a professional designer, you sidestep myths about creativity. You focus on achieving order, making functional work, and delivering appropriate solutions. Instead of worrying about what your design looks like, you analyze what it does.

A Utilitarian Pursuit

A design career is like that of a plumber. Sure, you work with ideas, beliefs, and perception common to artists, but your work is different from other creative pursuits. For the most part, you, like a plumber, are asked to diagnose and resolve applied problems. Imagine that water is dripping from your ceiling. Your plumber may have a deep passion for exploration and bold new approaches, but that isn’t the reason you hired him. You just need him to find ...