Design Process

Hi Everyone,

Here's some information that you might find helpful. It makes explicit the process we've been using for developing the project. It is a revised version of a document that designers might give to clients. (The source is indicated.)
kpa

THE GRAPHIC DESIGN PROCESS
PHASE ONE - Define the Problem
In our first meeting or two we will help you visualize and define the graphic design project. This is done by discussing the mission statement, curatorial concept, and marketing objectives. This phase will also include a discussion of resources and requirements. The end state of the project is visualized; giving us a well defined starting point and finish line.

PHASE TWO - Research
Next, we move forward on two fronts: (1) analyzing the competition and (2) stimulating creativity by brainstorming.
By gathering information about the competition (our peers and predecessors) we can suggest several ways that graphic design can help promote services, products and ideas. We take a look at what they are doing to try to find a way to differentiate ourselves and to find a better opportunity in the market.
By exploring ideas, collecting materials, and cultivating conceptual associations, we begin the intuitive part of the process of design. From this we will generate some design sketches (preliminary versions of graphic elements, font treatments, layouts etc.)

PHASE THREE - Strategy
Now that we’ve defined the problem, evaluated your competition, and created a scrapbook of visual research, we’ll prepare a Design Brief that summarizes the research and includes two or three design sketches for review by the client (or collaborator).

PHASE FOUR - Design Refinement
During this portion of the project we refine the design to better suit the needs of the project. Feedback from you and others at your company is used to make important changes to help fit the graphic design project into your business strategy until it takes shape.

PHASE FIVE - Project Completion
Once the final designs are approved and have been 'signed off', the project is sent to the printer. Depending on the printer and the graphic design project, it can take anywhere from a few days to several weeks to finish production. An important part of project completion phase is the supervision of the print process (proofing colour etc.)

Revised version of materials from:
<http://www.nkdsn.com/graphicdesignnewyork.htm>
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