OUGD504 STUDIO BRIEF ONE - STUDY TASK ONE: THE DESIGN PROCESS

This group study task was aimed at helping us understand exactly what the design process was, and what it included. We worked in groups of 6, writing down all the words and phrases involved in the design process. Then we had to use these words to produce a visual representation, a timeline almost of the design process.

As a group we worte down all the words and phrases involved in the design process, such as Production, organisation, evaluation, budget and constraints, to get a broad idea of the whole process, and everything connected with it.

Using this brain storm of words and phrases we decided on the main stages of the design process, and listed them in the order they would be undertaken. As a group we also decided to show the design process in a way that non designers would understand, relating it to how you would bake a cake, as we decided that eating cake was an essential part of the design process as well. We related each key stage to a stage of making a cake, such as the briefing stage would be discussing with the chef what kind of cake they want to make, whether it be a chocolate cake or Victoria sponge cake for example.

For our final design process method we presented it in a very linear layout, as the design process has a very definite beginning and end, so we thought this should be shown clearly. Each stage was headed with the graphic design stage and number, with the majority of the section being imagery, as this was how we were supposed to create this explanation of the design process, as a visual representation. 

STAGE ONE: THE BRIEF. This imagery shows different kinds of cakes and pies, with the word "or" between each one, as if you were being shown all the different options and asking which kind of cake you would like. This relates to being briefed by the client, and the client telling you exactly what they want, deciding together which the best route to go down is. Finding out each others expectations, and what the client ultimately wants from you as a designer.

STAGE TWO: RESEARCH. This research illustration shows you looking through recipe books and at recipes on the internet to find the best recipe for the kind of cake the client wants you to produce. This relates to researching into existing designs for the design you are going to produce, artists or movements that could influence or support your designs, and finding the best resources for the design you are producing that will help you the most.

STAGE THREE: EXPERIMENTATION. This image shows shopping for the best ingredients to make your cake as delicious as possible, and as close to the recipe and specifications as possible too. It also shows a tester cake being make, to test the ingredients, and experiment with the recipe, to see what the end result actually is compared to how the recipe shows it to be. This relates to buying the best stock for the design if it's being printed off, or other materials that will help make the design as close to the specifications as possible.

STAGE FOUR: FEEDBACK. This stage shows people testing the cake and giving feedback on the outcome, what they like about the cake and what they don't, what they would change as well, and any other comments. This relates to receiving feedback on your initial designs and experimentations from your peers and the client, so the client can know how far you are with the project and whether they like the direction you are going in, whether their initial ideas actually work or not as well. 

STAGE FIVE: DEVELOP/REFINE. In this stage you are acting on the feedback you received in the previous stage, perhaps the cake need more sugar, or the flavours aren't quite right. This will help improve the final cake. This relates to the feedback you received from the client and/or peers and acting upon it. Perhaps they didn't like one aspect of the design, or thought a slightly different colour palette would work better. These suggested should be experimented with to help narrow down the design and come to a final outcome that follows the clients guidelines and feedback.

We decided to include a tea break as you have to have a break from work sometimes to refocus and refuel, so you can concentrate harder and make room for fresh ideas. It is also good to take time away from designing to get a fresh perspective on the designs, as if you focus on something for too long you can lose sight of what it was actually supposed to look like and only see flaws or in one way.

STAGE SIX: FEEDBACK. Feedback is an integral and continuous aspect of perfecting a cake and any design work, so we have included two feedback slots in this timeline, however feedback should be a continuous aspect of any project, from when you first start coming up with ideas to the final execution and production. 

STEP SEVEN: PRODUCTION. Step seven illustrates the cake being baked and iced, following on from feedback and design/ingredient decision from previous development, experimentation and feedback. This relates to the final production of a design, ensuring the document is the right size and the colours are in the right format for the printer or web format or other method of production, to ensure the highest quality outcome. This stage also relates to the actual printing of a design, and any finishing touches such as foiling, binding, varnishing, or photographing the final outcome.

STAGE EIGHT: COMPLETION. Completion is selling the cake in a cake sale or shop or even online, or perhaps eating them at a wedding or birthday celebration. During this stage the designer will get paid by the client and will collate any documents producing during the project for self evaluation or to use for their own portfolio. 

This study task was really beneficial as it helped me to understand better what the design process actually was, and the key elements that I undertake during a project, which I hadn't really considered before, such as quality control. The visual aspect of this study task showed me different ways of expressing the design process, as we had to look at other groups visual representations as well, which gave me lots of different methods of showing all this information.